Mar 27, 2009, By Wayne Hanson
As Arizona Governor, Janet Napolitano made her mark promoting cooperative programs that resulted in efficiency and cost savings. She formed the Arizona-Mexico Commission with Sonora, Mexico, Governor Eduardo Bours to help restrict the flow of weapons and fugitives across the Arizona-Mexico border. She joined with another state and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to pilot citizen access to online medical records, and in 2008 launched Arizona Openness and Savings Strategies, a Web site that served as a forum for state agencies to exchange money-saving strategies and allow staff and public to contribute ideas and participate in the budget process. Her initiatives in procurement, energy conservation, travel, fleet management, training and electronic communications,resulted in an estimated $1 billion in savings and cost avoidances for the state.
As Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Napolitano just launched a DHS Efficiency Review initiative to improve efficiency and streamline decision-making. "I am committed to creating a new culture of efficiency at the Department of Homeland Security," said Napolitano, "and the Efficiency Review will allow us to cut costs while streamlining operations and decision-making. Over time, this will make DHS a leaner, smarter agency better equipped to protect our nation."
The review will focus on acquisition management, asset management, real property management, employee vetting/credentialing, hiring and information technology. And, as she did in Arizona, Napolitano will encourage and collect DHS employee cost-saving and efficiency-promoting ideas.
Within the first 30 days, for example, DHS will eliminate the printing of all documents that can be sent electronically or posted online. The plan also calls for energy efficiencies at the workplace, the consolidation of employee training, and an assessment of all full-time/ part-time employees and contractors to better manage the workforce.
WHRead real world deployments of technology in government from our sponsors.
View All Industry SolutionsCan your organization keep pace with its growing demands while enforcing security controls?
Forrester conducted interviews with CIOs/CTOs of mainframe users in the US and Europe to better understand their strategies in the use of the mainframe.
Fully capitalize on the potential value offered by the mainframe as the availability of mainframe professionals becomes increasingly constrained.
Mainframe 2.0 is CA’s new and far-reaching initiative that is changing the way the mainframe is managed forever.
Read this to learn about the technology and best practices needed to manage your identities throughout their lifecycle.
This paper discusses the drivers, responses and challenges associated with information security in Government.
Find solutions that simplify, automate and secure the activities for creating and modifying user identities and roles throughout the organization.
Government agencies use virtualized environments to decrease costs, consolidate data centers and reduce environmental impacts.
CA Virtualization Management solutions provide integrated end-to-end management, automation and security which drive better outcomes.
VMware and CA have responded to your requirements by forging a solid partnership focused on your enterprise's needs.
Using project management at every stage of grant administration can maximize funds now and for the future.
The sheer size of ARRA and new grant opportunities has had a tremendous impact on the workload of grants management staff. But the size of the program is only part of the story.
Decision-makers need to align IT projects with organizational goals. See how three agencies achieved this.
Browse hundreds of public sector career opportunities in GovTech's new jobs section. Popular job searches: government IT, public safety, GIS, transportation, CIO, security, health
Latest Government Technology News