Category Archives: Government Improvement

How to Run Any Organization – From the “Both…And…” Mind

Posted on July 31, 2022 by complexified

I wrote this in 2011. Dear FB popped it up as a memory from a 2020 post. Needed now as much as ever… Now, as much or more than ever. How to run government (or any org)… .. think deeply … Continue reading →

Posted in Adaptive Capacity, Change, Complexity, Continuous Process Improvement, Creativity, Dialogue, Government Improvement, Innovation, Leadership | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A New Day for the Global Voice of Quality

Posted on July 5, 2014 by complexified

It has been a while since I explored the world of those committed to improving “quality.” My own work at the U.S. Department of Labor was focused on this for nearly 15 years. The quality improvement movement grew from the … Continue reading →

Posted in ASQ, Change, Complexity, Continuous Process Improvement, Government Improvement, Innovation, Leadership, Quality | Leave a comment

“Moneyball Government” – Evidence and Trials in the “Court” of the Organization

Posted on August 21, 2013 by complexified

In the past year, several ideas have dominated the discourse on improving government.  A couple of months ago, the President called for improving the management and results of government.  A recent OMB Memorandum, M-13-17, specifically calls for “evidence based management” … Continue reading →

Posted in Adaptive Capacity, Change, Complexity, Continuous Process Improvement, Government Improvement, Innovation, Leadership | Leave a comment

Quality in Government: Answers, Questions, and the “AS IF…” to “BOTH…AND…” Challenge

Posted on April 8, 2013 by complexified

Hi again, to all interested in process and organizational improvement.  After a personal leave from the blogosphere, I am back with my fellow ASQ “Voices of Influence.”  In this post, I am playing a bit of “catch-up.”  This post responds … Continue reading →

Posted in Adaptive Capacity, ASQ, Change, Complexity, Continuous Process Improvement, Government Improvement, Quality | 1 Comment

Adaptive Behavior and Regulatory Compliance

Posted on April 8, 2013 by complexified

From 1976 to 2002, I worked as a Compliance Specialist for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division.  In that capacity, I enforced about 80 different laws, including Federal minimum wage, overtime, child labor, migrant farm labor, family … Continue reading →

Posted in Adaptive Capacity, Change, Complexity, Continuous Process Improvement, Government Improvement | 1 Comment

The People Speak, the Leaders Listen

Posted on February 27, 2012 by complexified

A few weeks ago I traveled to Washington, D.C. to serve as a facilitator at a unique event.  The Mayor had convened an event for citizens throughout the District to envision future policy and outcomes as part of his “One … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Community, Complexity, Dialogue, Government Improvement, Networks, Social Responsibility | 1 Comment

What’s the Point of Planning?

Posted on September 17, 2011 by complexified

NOTE: this article first appeared in January 2005.  It is freely available through the ASQ website.  What’s the Point of Planning? Bruce A. Waltuck November, 2005 Appeared in the Journal of Quality and Participation January 2006 What is the real … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Complexity, Continuous Process Improvement, Government Improvement | Leave a comment

Competitive Advantage: Can we self-organize our way back?

Posted on September 14, 2011 by complexified

In a well-publicized recent report, the World Economic Forum had the United States slipping to fifth place in competitiveness.  You can read about the report at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44423519/ns/business-stocks_and_economy/t/us-falls-th-global-competitiveness-survey-shows/?GT1=43001 The article notes the slip is in part due to “declining faith in US … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Complexity, Continuous Process Improvement, Education, Government Improvement, Innovation, Social Responsibility | Leave a comment

The Carrot And/Or the Stick: Strategies for Regulatory Compliance

Posted on August 5, 2011 by complexified

Two separate strories came my way this week, both very much about the challenges for government agencies tasked with seeking regulatory compliance.  Both stories concern agencies whose missions are explicitly aimed at protecting the statutory rights of employees.  Yet both … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Complexity, Government Improvement | 1 Comment

The attacks on government workers that (in)famously began with Reagan’s oft-repeated crack that “government IS the problem…” were wrong then, and wrong now.  It is possible that government, with tougher procedures for discipline and dismissal, has a slightly higher percentage … Continue reading →

Posted on January 4, 2011 by complexified | 1 Comment