Special Reports
The Presidential Transition
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Starting in January 2009, federal agencies will undergo the first change in presidential administrations in eight years. That means adjustments to a new president's policy priorities, management objectives and political appointees. For many long-serving federal employees, managers and executives, this is old hat. But for others, this will be the first time they go through the process. The good news is that many different organizations are gearing up to make the transition as smooth as possible. In this special section, we'll present regularly updated information and resources about transition-related activities. |
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Official Transition Information
- Office of Personnel Management: Presidential Transition Guide to Federal Human Resources Management Matters
- Congressional Research Service Report: Presidential Transitions
- Presidential Transition Act of 2000
- Executive Order 13176: Facilitation of a Presidential Transition
- Homeland Security Advisory Council Transition Task Force report
Resources
- 2008 Presidential Transition Initiative
A regularly updated blog from the IBM Center for the Business of Government, containing links to a wealth of transition-related information. - Transitions in Governance
A wide variety of transition-related materials, sponsored by a coalition of good government organizations. - The Next Government
From the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania.
From the Government Executive Archives
- Trouble, Trouble, Trouble (September 2, 2008)
The new president will face a multitude of problems, but likely will have a hard time accomplishing more than three or four big things in his first term. - Fixing the Future (January 2008)
Donald F. Kettl, director of the University of Pennsylvania's Fels Institute of Government, argues that the next president must be ready to take on inescapable management problems. - Transition Management (Sept. 8, 2004)
Longtime federal official Dwight Ink says getting an administration up to speed requires the incoming president to include management as one of his priorities. - Tackling the Transition (January 2001)
Overhauling the mechanics of the transfer of power. - Transition Veteran: It Pays to Plan Ahead (Dec. 5, 2000)
An interview with Jack H. Watson Jr., President Carter's transition head and later chief of staff.
RECENT NEWS STORIES
- Retired generals advising Obama bring range of expertise (08/27/08)
More than 70 retired generals and admirals from all four services are counseling the Democratic candidate. - Technology chiefs poised to take a more strategic role (08/08/08)
The transition to a new presidential administration could offer federal CIOs a chance to change their focus. - Federal employee groups, nonprofits cautiously optimistic about OPM nominee (08/05/08)
Michael Hager has personnel experience in the public and private sectors -- and bipartisan good will. - Procurement leaders go back to basics as administration winds down (07/24/08)
The presidential transition is looming, but chief acquisition officers still have plenty left to accomplish. - HR leaders have transition on their minds (07/18/08)
Recruiting, performance management continue to top priority lists in chief human capital officer survey. - Lawmaker raises concerns over huge TSA personnel contract (07/18/08)
House committee chairman wants specifics on how $1.2 billion deal would address agency's persistent workforce problems. - Report provides roadmap for first Homeland Security transition (06/27/08)
Leadership transfer could present an opportunity for terrorists to take advantage of perceived vulnerabilities in national security. - Acting GSA chief expects smooth transition to new administrator (06/27/08)
David Bibb plans September exit; he'll be succeeded by Jim Williams, an experienced GSA hand. - Incoming president will face key deadlines for Homeland Security programs (06/17/08)
Some of the deadlines have been imposed by Congress, while others were put in place by the current department leadership team. - Cooperative purchasing bill close to becoming law (06/11/08)
Senate approves measure to open GSA's law enforcement and security-based Schedule 84 to state and local governments. - Gates offers Bush new Air Force leadership team (06/09/08)
Gen. Norton Schwartz, a 35-year veteran with a background in Air Force special operations, is Defense secretary's pick as chief of staff. - Research group predicts moderate growth in IT spending during next five years (06/02/08)
Uncertain economy, new administration may temper technology spending. - Lawmakers discuss expanding locality pay to areas covered by COLAs (05/30/08)
Senators and federal employee groups cite need to keep retirement payments competitive, improve recruiting. - Homeland Security avoids subpoena by turning over documents (05/28/08)
Congressional aides said the department turned over more than 300 documents, including a list of career civil servants who will manage the presidential transition. - Bill would give National Archives greater reach in electronic records management (05/16/08)
Archivists however worry about becoming pariahs if presidents see them as internal-affairs investigators. - Performance management likely will get a makeover in the next administration (05/13/08)
Less subjective decision-making and greater focus on measuring results will be key ingredients for success, say those outside government. - Defense to review 'unnecessary duplication' among services (05/09/08)
Critics have complained that vast sums of money are wasted due to the military operating four air forces, two land armies and overlapping intelligence and space programs. - Transition could create leadership void, report says (05/06/08)
Key agencies stand to lose more than 10 percent of their top officials when next administration takes over. - Roots of surveillance standoff go back decades (04/29/08)
Today's fights over government surveillance of the communications network go back much further than the Sept. 11 attacks. - Democrats threaten to subpoena DHS transition plans (04/23/08)
House committee is giving the department until May 23 to produce documents, but law does not require DHS to submit plans to Congress.
