The Federal Government’s poor IT performance is an old story, but it got renewed attention this week because of two new documents.  The first was Federal CIO Steven VanRoekel’s release of his final “Shared First” strategy document which sets guidelines that should lead to better returns on IT investment.  The other event was a memo from Lesley Field, Acting Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy.  Ms. Field laid out steps to make it easier for vendors to provide input and education so government can make smarter technology buys.

So much positive news in the space of a week had me feeling optimistic that we are on a path to stop wasting tax payer money and bring effective IT systems to government.  But my good mood ended when an e-mail hit my inbox with fresh evidence of some of the thinking and behaviors that have caused the Federal government’s IT investments to significantly underperform.

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Tags: , Appian Cloud, BPM for Federal Acquisitions, BPM for Government, BPM in the Cloud, BPM software, Business Process Management, Business Process Management and Government, Process Improvement for Government

I’m the father of two young boys. It’s clear to me that the more Charlie and Henry learn to share, the better it is for everybody. Their play is more rewarding. They learn from each other. I don’t have to buy them two of everything.

Federal CIO Steven Van Roekel wants federal agency CIOs to embrace precisely that same lesson. Earlier this month, he announced finalization of the Federal IT Shared Services Strategy. This is big news, and BPM software can play a big role in helping government IT become “good sharers.”

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Tags: , Appian Cloud, BPM for Government, Government 2.0, Government and Efficiency, shared services, steven vanroekel

Two weeks ago I attended the Defense Procurement eBusiness Conference in Atlanta, GA. Like last year, Appian was a sponsor and exhibitor at the event, discussing and demonstrating the Acquisition Business Management solution built on our BPM software. The exhibit hall space was a little cramped this year, but I was happy to see so many people wade through our booth crowd to talk to us.

The particular conference presentation highlight for me was Richard Ginman’s presentation on Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy (DPAP) Initiatives and Efficiencies Priorities. I was already a big fan of DPAP given their recent efforts on the Procurement Data Standard (PDS) and the DoD Clause Logic service. Hearing Mr. Ginman speak just solidified my view that DPAP really understands the problems facing acquisition and is providing excellent guidance, support, and services to the DoD acquisition community.

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Tags: , BPM for Federal Acquisitions, BPM for Government, BPM software, federal procurement, Process Improvement for Government

Federal procurement practices continue to be a hot topic of discussion as government agencies look for new ways to comply with Obama Administration mandates to reduce waste, deliver projects more quickly, and increase the efficiency and transparency of operations. Many federal procurement teams are turning to BPM software and Appian’s Acquisition Business Management solution to eliminate mountains of paperwork and reach higher levels of performance faster.

Appian is participating in two important federal procurement events in the near future: ACT-IAC Acquisition Excellence 2012 (March 29 in Washington, DC) and the Defense Procurement eBusiness Conference (April 10-12 in Atlanta).

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Tags: , BPM for Federal Acquisitions, BPM for Government, BPM in the Cloud, mobile BPM

As reported on Federal News Radio, a new cybersecurity bill introduced in the Senate includes a focus on federal procurement deficiencies. The bill would “order agencies to make sure they buy genuine products from vendors with a secure supply chain.” The sources calling for stricter federal procurement measures are numerous: the Obama administration’s Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative, the Federal CIO’s 25-Point Plan for federal IT reform, even the “green” movement, just to name a few.

As Appian’s VP of Sales Chris O’Connell writes on AOL Government, “Nowhere is the need for improvement and reform greater than in the federal procurement process.” Chris is well-versed on the this topic, as he has been instrumental in the deployment of Appian’s Acquisition Business Management solution for customers including DISA, the U.S. Marines, the GSA and more.

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Tags: , BPM for Federal Acquisitions, BPM for Government, Business Process Management, federal contracting, federal procurement, Government 2.0

BPM software is key to how federal departments and agencies are going to cope with the unrelenting pressures to increase agility, transparency, accountability, cost reduction and constituent service.  If you work in the public sector and have a focus on process improvement, you can’t afford to miss Appian World 2012. The conference (April 15-17 at the Reston Hyatt outside Washington, D.C.) is free, and in addition to great content and networking, it is the only place you can hear Kenneth Percell, former CIO of the U.S. Air Force Materiel Command, deliver his “Confessions of a Federal CIO.”

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Tags: , Appian World 2012, BPM for Federal Acquisitions, BPM for Government, Business Process Management and Government, Kenneth Percell, Process Improvement for Government

I couldn’t end this series on the primary themes discussed at the recent National Contract Management Association’s (NCMA) Government Contract Management Conference without including budget concerns. Budget cutbacks and their effects on the acquisition community were an inescapable topic throughout the event.

Appian’s BPM software platform and Acquisition Business Management (ABM) solution can’t increase a contracting organization’s budget or magically produce more 1102s. It can, however, help make existing resources more effective while allowing an organization to start small and incrementally tackle their acquisition system issues.

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Tags: , BPM for Federal Acquisitions, BPM for Government, Business Process Management, government contract management conference, national contract management association

In continuing my review of the hot topics at the recent National Contract Management Association’s (NCMA) Government Contract Management Conference, next up is the issue of Data Quality & Standardization.

This has become a key initiative inside the DoD acquisition community.  It was very interesting to hear Nancy Gunderson’s (HHS) comments regarding the subject from the civilian agency side.  One of her comments was that we’re only as credible as our data, and that the demand for data and transparency will only increase.

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Tags: , BPM for Federal Acquisitions, BPM for Government, Business Process Management, government contract management conference, national contract management association

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the annual National Contract Management Association’s (NCMA) Government Contract Management Conference in Bethesda, MD.  Appian was again a sponsor and exhibitor at the event.  It was great talking to so many acquisition professionals and catching up with people – some of whom I hadn’t seen in years.

As always, the conference provided excellent speakers, panel discussions, and breakout sessions.  Of note, I thoroughly enjoyed GSA Administrator Martha Johnson’s keynote, the insights from Nick Nayak and Nancy Gunderson on a panel discussion regarding “the Future of Acquisition Policy,” and the Joanie Newhart-led panel on “Building Tomorrow’s Contracting Management Workforce Today.”  Common themes were presented throughout both days of the conference, and in particular, I was struck by the speakers’ focus on change, data quality/standardization, and budget concerns.

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Tags: , BPM for Federal Acquisitions, BPM for Government, Business Process Management, government contract management conference, national contract management association

Federal CIO Steven VanRoekel is pushing a “single door” policy for contractors doing business with U.S. federal agencies through the creation of vendor management organizations (VMOs). Federal acquisition/procurement is something we think about all the time at Appian, for a number of reasons.

First, like the rest of the country, we are concerned about federal fiscal policy and wringing out wasteful spending. Second, we believe BPM software provides a new opportunity to transform agency acquisition practices. Our Acquisition Business Management (ABM) solution allows federal purchasing organizations to increase the efficiency, visibility and mission-alignment of all pre-award, award, and post-award activities within the acquisition lifecycle.

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Tags: , Appian 6, BPM for Federal Acquisitions, BPM for Government, Business Process Management, Government 2.0, steven vanroekel