The Architecture of Innovation


Hollie Russon Gilman, and Jessica Gover at the Beeck Center: “Technology is transforming how we live our lives—from new solutions in health, education, defense, and beyond. The private sector provides user-centric, digital, customer-oriented solutions—in real time. We should expect the same from government. The government needs to evolve to keep up with these rapid changes in technology and data use. We need a government that is nimble and adaptive to change. More importantly, we need to create a culture within government that allows for a culture of innovation that leads to outcomes. At the same time, innovation—new technologies, data, and partnerships—have also triggered a need for rapid change in governance and public policy. With the election only a month away, the next president has the opportunity to pivot—to adopt a governance structure that proactively drives change and delivers results.

Today, we are thrilled to announce the release of our latest publication,The Architecture of Innovation: Institutionalizing Innovation in Federal Policymaking,” produced in partnership with The Massive Data Institute at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy. The report provides recommendations for how the next administration can pilot, iterate, and scale innovative approaches to more effectively serve the needs of the American people. “The Architecture of Innovation” offers recommendations for how government can structurally organize for change at the highest levels to not only adapt and meet the challenges of today, but also anticipate and meet the needs of tomorrow.

We are launching the report today at our Fall convening, Data for Social Good: Innovation in the Next Administration. The report launch will be bookended by a fireside chat retrospective on innovation in the Obama Administration and a panel discussing innovation in past, present, and future administrations.

As presidential transition teams on both sides are building out their plans for the next administration, they have an unprecedented opportunity to maximize and grow the strides made by the Obama administration to create impactful change. For federal policymaking to create lasting outcomes, we believe that creating a holistic culture of innovation in government is the key to solving some of our biggest civic challenges. We hope that our report and today’s convening will provide a helpful roadmap as to best organization for innovation in government for 2016 and beyond…(More)”