McKinsey on Government

Change Under Pressure
Spring 2011

report | McKinsey on Government

Making government better—and keeping it that way

Our research into a number of U.S. federal agencies shows that, despite considerable obstacles, public-sector organizations can dramatically improve performance. (PDF–428 KB) more

report | McKinsey on Government

"A duty to modernize": Reforming the French civil service

François-Daniel Migeon, a change leader who has worked in both the public and private sectors, heads the agency charged with modernizing France’s public services. In this interview, he reflects on the challenges, rewards, and realities of large-scale government reform. (PDF–372 KB) more

report | McKinsey on Government

Toward a more efficient public sector

As they undertake efficiency programs, government leaders should take four actions to ensure their efforts are effective and sustainable. (PDF–360 KB) more

report | McKinsey on Government

Doing more with less: A government roundtable

At an event hosted by the Center for American Progress, four high-ranking officials in the US government shared specific ways their organizations have been able to prioritize scarce resources and deliver better outcomes. (PDF–600 KB) more

report | McKinsey on Government

Deliverology: From idea to implementation

An approach to managing reform initiatives, pioneered in the United Kingdom, has had significant impact in a number of other countries around the globe. Three critical components of the approach are the formation of a delivery unit, data collection for setting targets and trajectories, and the establishment of routines. (PDF–496 KB) more

report | McKinsey on Government

Beyond hiring: An integrated approach to talent management

The US government must aspire to a world-class talent-management system—one that addresses not just recruiting and hiring but also performance management, leadership development, employee engagement, and HR capability building. (PDF–532 KB) more

report | McKinsey on Government

Shall we talk? Getting the most out of performance dialogues

Done right, performance dialogues can be a catalyst for overall performance improvement. The most effective dialogues are fact-based, lead to action, offer both constructive and challenging feedback, and target the most important issues. (PDF–504 KB) more