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3fe9a03ccd14ca5 | 3 years ago

So how do we fix it without adding yet another layer? All the govt seems to do is add more layers.

discuss

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throwawaysleep|3 years ago

You would need two things:

1. Actual rewards in gov for success. In the public sector, the smartest people try nothing new and do not innovate because that would be a dumb thing to do, as you are punished for failure and not rewarded for success.

Someone who delivers a big win should get a big bonus. The problem is that when that has happened, some article will get written and managers will get in trouble over it.

2. Tolerance for missteps, delays, and schedule changes.

I spend 2 weeks fixing a hard to solve bug for my private sector unicorn? No big deal. Maybe talk about it a bit in retro and move on.

In my public sector job? At least three meetings on why we missed the sprint goal. Why? As someone above wants to cover their ass on missing the sprint goal. And we will write up a several page doc on why we missed the sprint goal.

Someone takes a chance on a much cheaper contractor and it doesn't work out? They can't be dragged to meeting after meeting having to defend it. That is how you get people hiring IBM for failed project after failed project, because at least they can say "IBM is the standard practice."

mellavora|3 years ago

We start regarding public servants with some respect instead of someone to be yelled at.

A culture shift.

You are right more regulations/another layer isn't going to help.

fdewrewrewf|3 years ago

A culture shift, yes.

Back to the idea that public servants are indeed servants to the public, and their entire purpose is to spend the public's money in a way that benefits the public.