On balance I believe passage of the DATA Act will be a good thing as long as its implementation is effectively planned and managed. Before commenting on its ultimate success or failure, though, I’d like to see a detailed work plan with resources, responsibilities, a timeline, and deliverables. That’s just good project management.
The data presented in Kevin Roose’s The Sharing Economy Isn’t About Trust, It’s About Desperation doesn’t prove a cause-and-effect relationship between a deteriorating job situation and the rise of “sharing economy” services like Uber, Lyft, and Airbnb. Correlation isn’t the same as causation.
“Google Glass Isn’t Dead It’s Just Resting”
I’m not a Google Glass User but even I can spot the shortcomings of Gene Marks’ Forbes online article How Google Screwed Up Google Glass.
Pixar's Lessons for Project Communication & Collaboration
Increasingly I’m of the opinion that, while systems that add communication functionality to project tools can make great deal of sense in some circumstances, what’s more important is to enable staff and stakeholders to use the communication tools they’re comfortable with using.
Why I Like the New COSMOS
I’ve seen three of the new COSMOS programs so far. I’m really enjoying them. I like the host, the graphics, and how the programs look on a large screen TV.
Who Will Pay for Open Data?
Alicia Green’s Open data is the next iteration of public records shows how the definition of “open data” continues to evolve.
Why I Still Read the Newspaper
What do I like about the paper edition? I can assure you it’s not the smell of the newsprint.
White Paper: Assessing Readiness for Enterprise Social Software
This White Paper was developed under contract to Jive Software. This is from the introduction:
Engaging with the Millennials on Your Project's Team
We’ve always known that you need to engage with target market segments where they live and communicate. It’s also useful to consider, if you’re a project manager, your project’s engagement strategy including how your project’s staff members and stakeholders communicate.
White Papers, Market Engagement, and Email Discrimination
I’ve had a Yahoo! email address for about ten years.
Getting Real About "Open Data”
If the “geeks” on your team understand all this that’s great. If not, you need to seek out and involve other areas of expertise, starting with people who understand what enhanced data services can do for your target users and the problems you are trying to solve.
The Fundamental Problem with Windows 8: One Non-User's Perspective
James Kendrick really nails one of the biggest problems with Windows 8 in The disconnect with Windows 8.1: Hiding the Utility. His summary:
Challenges Facing Small and Medium-size Government Contractors
My friend Bob Davis, interviewed by Mark Amtower recently on Federal News Radio, talked about the challenges facing small and medium-size government contractors.
Data Standardization Scores and Changing the DATA Act
The basic ideas behind the DATA Act’s focus on financial data standardization makes such eminently good sense that efforts to weaken such standardization should be carefully and openly assessed. Fundamentally, data standardization if managed well can reduce costs, improve data manageability, reduce errors, and improve communication. Implementing data standards can also improve how date transparency efforts are supported as long as the people who operate the underlying systems want to be more transparent.
My Top Ten Blog Posts from 2013
According to Google Analytics these were the ten most frequently hit posts from this web site in 2013.
Fixing the NSA: Getting Real About What Really Matters
I don’t agree with everything he says but, to paraphrase his thinking, “Let’s get real about what really matters.”
Recommendations for Collaborative Management of Government Data Standardization Projects
Standardizing how the U.S. government collects, manages, and publishes budget and expenditure data, as required by the DATA Act currently before the U.S. Congress, is an example of a long-term and complex project. It will be require careful planning, management, and sufficient resources to be successful.
The Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA) making its way through the US Congress regarding Federal financial reporting has several implications:
How Important Is ‘Total Cost of Standardization’ to the DATA Act?
Last week I attended a meeting in DC sponsored by the Data Transparency Coalition, PwC, and Intel. Representatives of the Federal agencies likely to manage implementation of the evolving DATA Act presented their thoughts on implementing the Act’s requirements for standardizing and reporting on Federal financial data.