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If We Can Put a Man on the Moon: Getting Big Things Done in Government Hardcover – November 16, 2009

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 66 ratings

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The American people are frustrated with their government-dismayed by a series of high-profile failures (Iraq, Katrina, the financial meltdown) that seems to just keep getting longer. Yet our nation has a proud history of great achievements: victory in World War II, our national highway system, welfare reform, the moon landing.

We need more successes like these to reclaim government's legacy of competence. In If We Can Put a Man on the Moon, William Eggers and John O'Leary explain how to do it. The key? Understand-and avoid-the common pitfalls that trip up public-sector leaders during the journey from idea to results.

The authors identify pitfalls including:

-The Partial Map Trap: Fumbling handoffs throughout project execution

-The Tolstoy Syndrome: Seeing only the possibilities you want to see

-Design-Free Design: Designing policies for passage through the legislature, not for implementation

-The Overconfidence Trap: Creating unrealistic budgets and timelines

-The Complacency Trap: Failing to recognize that a program needs change

At a time of unprecedented challenges, this book, with its abundant examples and hands-on advice, is the essential guide to making our government work better. A must-read for every public official, this book will be of interest to anyone who cares about the future of democracy.
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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In 1969 the Apollo launch gave the U.S. confidence that, if we could beat the Russians to the moon, surely we could solve more prosaic problems. But succeeding years have shown that not to be the case. Recent examples of governmental bungles include the response to Hurricane Katrina, the war in Iraq, Abu Ghraib, and the economic meltdown. Business consultants Eggers and O’Leary analyzed 75 case studies of major public initiatives, domestic and international, failures and successes, and looked for patterns and lessons. They identify “seven deadly traps” that can undermine the best-intended projects: the Tolstoy syndrome of seeing only what you want to see in a problem; policy designed to pass through legislatures but not for implementation; overconfidence that results in unrealistic budgets and time lines; complacency that fails to recognize the need for change; and fumbling throughout the execution stage of the process. The authors detail each trap along with providing examples of where management concepts from the business world could have produced better results in the government sector. Public officials and ordinary citizens will appreciate this fresh look at government programs and policies. --Vanessa Bush

Review

“Eggers and O’Leary may have created a new genre—the Government Policy Thriller. We couldn’t get enough of the stories—good policies gone bad, great ideas that flew off the rails, and, occasionally, the stunning triumph that gives us hope that we can get to the moon again.” - Chip and Dan Heath, coauthors of Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die

“A clear-eyed look at how to get the best out of our public institutions. Instead of easy answers, the authors offer practical suggestions for successful execution in a very challenging and complex environment. A must-read for political leaders.” --Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson

“As we sort out the cross-pressures in twenty-first-century government, this book is a useful and lively guide to how to make things work. Driven by practical cases and pragmatic lessons, it’s an invaluable road map to the government of the future.” - Donald F. Kettl, Dean, School of Public Policy, University of Maryland

“If We Can Send a Man to the Moon is the rare book that made me both shake my head in disbelief and nod my head with possibility. Eggers and O’Leary offer a trenchant analysis of how good government intentions can go awry. But they also show how sharper thinking and keener attention to design can help governments at all levels serve citizens better. Pick up two copies—one to read yourself, the other to send to your favorite elected official.” - Daniel H. Pink, author of A Whole New Mind

“After serving as a mayor, a congressman for twenty years, and as a secretary of two cabinet-level departments in two administrations from different political parties, I can attest that the challenges of executing successful government programs exist at all levels of government, in all parties, and in all locations. Eggers and O’Leary present exactly the most common traps that lead to a failure of execution, but more importantly they present ways to help avoid those traps. Their ideas should be presented to all government employees.” - Former Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1422166368
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harvard Business Review Press; 1st edition (November 16, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781422166369
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1422166369
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.2 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 1.25 x 9.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 66 ratings

About the author

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William D. Eggers
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William D. Eggers is the Executive Director of Deloitte’s Center for Government Insights where he is responsible for the firm’s public sector thought leadership. He also serves as a fellow at the National Academy of Public Administration, a governance futures council member at the World Economic Forum, an advisory board member at What Works Cities and chairs the Leadership Council for New America.

He is the author of numerous books including his newest Bridgebuilders: How Government Can Transcend Boundaries to Solve Big Problems (Harvard Review Business Press (2023), Delivering on Digital (2016), The Solution Revolution (2013), named to ten best-book-of-the-year lists, The Washington Post best seller If We Can Put a Man on the Moon (2009), The Public Innovator’s Playbook (2009), and Governing by Network (2004), the winner of the Louis Brownlow book award, which recognizes outstanding contributions in the field of public administration. He coined the term Government 2.0 in a book by the same name. His books have won numerous other national best-book awards.

His commentary has appeared in dozens of major media outlets including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Guardian and the Washington Post. He can be reached at weggers@deloitte.com or on twitter @wdeggers.

HONORS

Eggers is the 1996 winner of the prestigious Roe Award for leadership and innovation in public policy research. He also received the 2002 APEX award for excellence in business journalism.

Eggers' book "Governing by Network" was the winner of the National Academy of Public Administration's 2005 Louis Brownlow Award for best book on public management. In addition, his book "Revolution at the Roots" won the 1996 Sir Anthony Fisher Award for the book "making the greatest contribution to the understanding of the free economy during the past two years."

He coined the terms "Government 2.0" and (with co-author Stephen Goldsmith) "Governing by Network" in his 2005 and 2006 books of the same names.

PUBLICATIONS

Eggers is the author of numerous books on government reform including:

* Bridgebuilders: How Government Can Transcend Boundaries to Solve Big Problems (Harvard Business Review Press, 2023)

* Delivering on Digital: The Innovators and Technologies Transforming Government (Deloitte University Press, 2016)

* The Solution Revolution: How Business, Government, and Social Enterprises Are Teaming Up to Solve Society's Toughest Problems (Harvard Business Review Press, 2013)

* If We Can Put a Man on the Moon: Getting Big Things Done in Government (Harvard Business Review Press, 2009)

* The Public Innovator's Playbook: Nurturing Bold Ideas in Government (Deloitte Research 2009)

* States of Transition: Tackling Government's Toughest Policy and Management Challenges (Deloitte Research, 2006)

* Government 2.0: Using Technology to Improve Education, Cut Red Tape, Reduce Gridlock and Enhance Democracy (Rowman and Littlefield, 2005)

* Governing by Network: The New Shape of the Public Sector (Brookings, 2004)

* Revolution at the Roots: Making our Government Smaller, Better and Closer to Home (The Free Press, 1995)

Eggers' commentary has appeared in dozens of major media outlets including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and The Chicago Tribune.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
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Customers say

Customers find the book informative and thought-provoking. They appreciate the lively examples and engaging pacing. The down-to-earth and easy-to-read style make it an enjoyable read.

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15 customers mention "Information quality"15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and thought-provoking. It provides lively examples and insights into project management for the federal government. The book is engaging and great for anyone in management, with an insightful case study style that dissects the steps taken in creating the case study. Readers appreciate the authors' superb job of capturing the essential issues and lessons learned.

"...Despite this one criticism, this is an important book that provides an informative and thought-provoking read for students and professionals alike...." Read more

"...This book takes the case-study approach. The topics discussed are easily relatable to projects the reader may have already finished or is in in the..." Read more

"...leading theories and best practices to present innovative yet pragmatic solutions unique to the specific challenges and issues facing government and..." Read more

"...Engaging, real-life examples of successes and failures, fascinating profiles of lesser-known yet highly influential personalities, and a down-to-..." Read more

7 customers mention "Pacing"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's pacing engaging and lively. They appreciate the down-to-earth, easy-to-read style, creative title, and compelling writing style. The authors' fresh ways to depict and analyze complicated issues are appreciated. Overall, readers find the book informative and well-written.

"...with a summary reminiscent of a textbook, but the book's style is far more compelling than any textbook I remember from my school days...." Read more

"...consultant by training, I truly appreciate authors' new, refreshing ways to depict and analyze complicated issues and stimulate provocative..." Read more

"...of lesser-known yet highly influential personalities, and a down-to-earth and easy-to-read style make this a compelling read for anyone concerned..." Read more

"...The book is full of lively examples which makes it an engaging and lively read. Highly recommended!" Read more

4 customers mention "Readability"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and fun to read. They say it provides a realistic picture of how bureaucracy works. The easy-to-read style makes it a compelling read for anyone concerned about the topic.

"...Engaging, real-life examples of successes and failures, fascinating profiles of lesser-known yet highly influential personalities, and a down-to-..." Read more

"...The book is full of lively examples which makes it an engaging and lively read. Highly recommended!" Read more

"...It is also an enjoyable experience." Read more

"...The book is fun to read, and provides a realistic picture of how bureaucracy works, and some strategies for dealing with the numerous obstacles good..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2010
    Examining dozens of case studies on large U.S. government projects, the authors illustrate the challenges faced by government decision-makers and agencies in policy formulation, implementation, and oversight, and the extraordinary difficulty in getting the incentives right in all of these phases. Speaking as someone who has spent the past quarter-century directly supporting federal agencies and studying their large-scale projects as an academic, I believe the authors have done a superb job of capturing the essential issues that can either enable or hinder success. And refreshingly, they do it in a balanced, non-partisan way.
    The only point that doesn't quite ring true is the authors' contention that program design should (and could) be addressed in more detail in the legislative drafting phase. The Congress doesn't have the time or expertise to do this in most cases. Aside from the highly visible issues that prompt 1200-page bills, the Congress often purposely leaves the details to the implementing agencies, for better or worse. The authors' suggestion that an independent "policy design review" by subject-matter experts be conducted in the legislative phase seems sensible at first, but raises many questions: Will there be time to fit this into the 2-year legislative cycle? How will the review be funded? Will partisans and interest groups be able to put undue influence on the selection of the study panel or the direction of its results?
    Despite this one criticism, this is an important book that provides an informative and thought-provoking read for students and professionals alike. Each of the chapters ends with a summary reminiscent of a textbook, but the book's style is far more compelling than any textbook I remember from my school days. The final chapter is especially noteworthy, powerfully ending the book with profiles of two individuals, one a political appointee and politician, and the other a career bureaucrat. The reader comes away with a heightened appreciation for the government's potential to accomplish great things. I hope this does get used as a textbook so more students will see the possibilities and be drawn to public service.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2014
    So many management books rely on academic studies which, to say the least, are boring.

    This book takes the case-study approach. The topics discussed are easily relatable to projects the reader may have already finished or is in in the middle of. Highly recommended for somebody looking for fresh perspective (and not a textbook.)
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2009
    I must say that this new book - along with its very creative title - tops my favorite book list for public management! Indeed, "If We Can Put A Man on the Moon: Getting Big Things Done in Government" is a very well-researched, thought-provoking piece on how government can turn novel ideas into real results. The "seven deadly traps" framework that the authors innovatively develop and present resonates well with me. As a MPA graduate and public sector consultant by training, I truly appreciate authors' new, refreshing ways to depict and analyze complicated issues and stimulate provocative ideas.

    In difficult times like this when great ideas ought to find their ways to effectively deliver desired results, this is a MUST-READ for those in the public sector leadership and management positions and others who are interested in civic leadership and making effective changes within government. It's time to leverage the cutting-edge ideas from the private sector and learn from the lessons of the ups-and-downs facing public sector initiatives so that government entities of all levels can become more efficient and effective.

    Eggers and O'Leary did a fantastic job in combining leading theories and best practices to present innovative yet pragmatic solutions unique to the specific challenges and issues facing government and their stakeholders. If you are short of time to read through the entire book - which is a great easy-read regardless, turn to the "Field Guide" pages of each chapter and you will find the sensible SOLUTIONS with all the manageable tools and techniques to work through your problems....

    A 5-star, highly recommended book for students who aspire to be effective public sector managers and leaders and those public sector veterans alike who strive to help make our world a better one for everyone!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2010
    Taking Project Apollo as its launching point, Eggers and O'Leary walk us through the steps required to get any ambitious project done in government. Along the way we learn that government has become less effective since the moon landing, according do those responsible for implementing policy--and most importantly, why.

    But rather than rail on what's wrong with the way things get done (or not) in government, the authors show us how to fix what's wrong. Rather than cast blame, they show us how all of us can pull together to get things done, from politicians and those responsible for implementing policy, right down to ordinary voters.

    Engaging, real-life examples of successes and failures, fascinating profiles of lesser-known yet highly influential personalities, and a down-to-earth and easy-to-read style make this a compelling read for anyone concerned about where our government is taking us today.

    -=Michael Belfiore, author of The Department of Mad Scientists: How DARPA Is Remaking Our World, from the Internet to Artificial Limbs
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Austin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Changed
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 4, 2022
    This book changed my perspective about doing things and succeeding