Powering Up: How Public Managers Can Take Control of Information Technology (Governing Management Series) [Paperback]

Katherine Barrett (Author), Richard Greene (Author), Katherine Greene (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1568025750 | ISBN-13: 978-1568025759 | Publication Date: October 1, 2000

Billions of dollars are spent each year on technology in cities and states, from desktop computers to mainframes. It is impractical for non-specialists to master the complex inner-workings of these new technologies, yet public managersÂ’ reliance on information technology to govern effectively make IT planning and implementation crucial. Two respected journalists with Governing magazine provide a unique, nuts-and-bolts guide to help current practitioners, as well as students who will become tomorrowÂ’s city and state managers, successfully oversee IT specialists and maximize the potential of IT systems.

This first book in the Governing Management Series draws on the authorsÂ’ involvement in the Government Performance Project (conducted by the SyracuseÂ’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs). Barrett and Greene, after conducting nearly 100 interviews with practitioners on the front lines, look systematically at the best practices of cities and states that garnered high grades in the study. They offer real-world and up-to-the-minute guidance about procurement, strategic planning, training, out-sourcing, standardization, project management, cost-benefit analysis, and the appropriate use of the Internet in the public sector. Powering Up features summary take-away points and three in-depth case studies, pointing readers to both innovations to emulate and pitfalls to avoid.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Katherine Barrett and Richard Greene, a husband and wife team, are special project editors and management columnists at Governing. They oversee the magazineÂ’s involvement in the Government Performance Project, and their first report, covering the 50 states, was a finalist in the National Magazine Awards and received the Washington MonthlyÂ’s award for journalism. Barrett and Greene have spoken widely to public and private sector organizations involved with city and state government. Their work has been quoted and referenced in a variety of state, city and federal documents, including the federal Government Performance Results Act (GPRA). They have also served as members of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board task force on Service Efforts and Accomplishments reporting.

Product Details

• Paperback: 243 pages
• Publisher: CQ Press (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568025750
• ISBN-13: 978-1568025759
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #880,202 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Government Executives Must Read, December 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Powering Up: How Public Managers Can Take Control of Information Technology (Governing Management Series) (Paperback)

Government Executives must read this book to understand how to better manage and invest in technology. This very easy to read and non-technical book addresses issues facing government managers including: new procurement models, outsourcing , training and of course the rapid growth of internet use and on-line transactions. While based on the research done for February 1999 Governing article "Government Performance Project" the basic principles of standardization, strategic planning and naming a CIO are still valid for government organizations today. Katherine Barrett and Richard Greene do a good job of explaining why the old politics of siloed departments fails citizens today.