Creating High-Performance Government Organizations (Jossey-Bass Nonprofit and Public Management Series) [Hardcover]

Mark G. Popovich (Editor), David Osborne (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 3, 1998 | ISBN-10: 0787941026 | ISBN-13: 978-0787941024 | Edition: 1

This is the most challenging time for public management that I have seen in my 35 years of public and non-profit service. The ?survivors,' ten years from now, will be working in systems they could not possibly imagine now. They will have gotten there not just by luck, but by the full commitment of all members of their organizations and by dramatically different methods of public engagement. This book is an excellent resource for starting that journey and for assessing the progress of efforts to date.
?James Kunde, executive director, Coalition to Improve Management in State and Local Government

Creating High-Performance Government Organizations presents practical advice and tools that managers and innovators at every level of government can use in molding their organizations into results-oriented, mission-driven operations. Developed by a top-notch author team under the auspices of The Alliance for Redesigning Government, these recommAndations are rooted in the authors' years of experience in the public and private sectors, and thorough research into the theory and practice of organizational transformation.

The more than three dozen cases presented here will help you understand what high-performance organizations are and develop a clearer understanding of the preconditions to major change, the steps essential to getting started, and ways to overcome common roadblocks along the way.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The experienced author team represented here has crafted a "how-to" guide for creating the type of organization which taxpayers are demanding today in the public sector?vision focused, responsive, resource-conscious, and above all, results-oriented." (?Terrell Blodgett, former Mike Hogg professor of urban management, LBJ School of Public Affairs, and associate director, Policy Research Institute, University of Texas)

"This book is a long-awaited roadmap--the big 'why' picture, practical tips, barriers and strategies, glimpses of fascinating potentials of high performance government organizations. Those who read and use it will be society builders in the truest sense." (?Neal Peirce, chair, The Citistates Group, author, and syndicated columnist, Washington Post Writers Group)

"This is the most challenging time for public management that I have seen in my 35 years of public and non-profit service. The ?survivors,' ten years from now, will be working in systems they could not possibly imagine now. They will have gotten there not just by luck, but by the full commitment of all members of their organizations and by dramatically different methods of public engagement. This book is an excellent resource for starting that journey and for assessing the progress of efforts to date." (?James Kunde, executive director, Coalition to Improve Management in State and Local Government)

From the Inside Flap

Are you dissatisfied with how your organization works?frustrated by the complications of getting things done or the inability to show real results? Or are you part of a good organization, but want to make it a great one? If you answered yes to either of these questions, this book was written for you.Creating High-Performance Government Organizations presents practical advice and tools that managers and innovators at every level of government can use in molding their organizations into results-oriented, mission-driven operations. Developed by a top-notch author team under the auspices of The Alliance for Redesigning Government, these recommAndations are rooted in the authors' years of experience in the public and private sectors, and thorough research into the theory and practice of organizational transformation. Most importantly, they draw upon the real-world experience of front-line innovators and ideas that were field tested through the team's work with an array of public agencies.The more than three dozen cases presented here will help you understand what high-performance organizations are and develop a clearer understanding of the preconditions to major change, the steps essential to getting started, and ways to overcome common roadblocks. This book details the eight characteristics common to high-performance agencies, illustrating each with concrete examples. And chapters on budgeting, human resources, and procurement systems show you how these critical central management functions can be strengthened to support change, performance, and accountability.Champions of innovation must also master the nuances of politics?within and outside their organizations. The authors suggest specific rules of the road for taking politics into consideration in the process of change?cues to guide you through the political maze.In addition, this book will help you ask the right questions to monitor progress in building high performance into your agency. Organ

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (April 3, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787941026
• ISBN-13: 978-0787941024
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #835,981 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Helpful, Concise, Coherent, March 16, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Creating High-Performance Government Organizations (Jossey-Bass Nonprofit and Public Management Series) (Hardcover)

I've been working on rego in my federal agency for seven years. While this book had no great surprises for me, it was a useful resource to think through what we've done so far and what remains to be done.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good source of ideas - challenging AND concise, March 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Creating High-Performance Government Organizations (Jossey-Bass Nonprofit and Public Management Series) (Hardcover)

This is one of a couple of books I've found that have proven to be helpful in both my day-to-day work and in trying to think more strategically and long-term about helping the city agency I work for perform at a significantly higher level.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Provides Good, Practical Ideas I Can Use, August 6, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Creating High-Performance Government Organizations (Jossey-Bass Nonprofit and Public Management Series) (Hardcover)

There are a lot of reinventing government books to choose from. This one was very helpful to me in providing a lot of good ideas based in REAL-WORLD experience. The authors give a good number of cases to illustrate their key points and suggest practical steps for GETTING THE GOOD IDEAS DONE. I hope others will find it as helpful as I have.