In today’s climate of fiscal tightening and workforce reductions, federal agencies face mounting pressure to deliver results with fewer resources. The Academy is responding to this challenge with a clear, actionable framework designed to help public sector leaders sustain and improve organizational performance in times of reduced resources: Optimizing Performance in a Resource-Constrained Environment.
Developed by a team of expert Academy Fellows and staff, this white paper draws on decades of federal reform efforts, including lessons from the Grace Commission, the National Performance Review, and recent executive directives aimed at streamlining government operations. It combines historical insights with modern management tools like Value-Based Management (VBM) and Agile principles to offer a four-step transformation process:
At its core, the paper emphasizes that constraints can be a catalyst for innovation. By aligning resources, risks, and results, VBM helps agencies prioritize what matters most to stakeholders. Agile principles, meanwhile, empower teams to adapt quickly, iterate solutions, and maintain mission focus even amid uncertainty. Together, these approaches provide a roadmap for leaders to reassess priorities, engage staff, implement change, and continuously improve.
The impact of this white paper is both practical and strategic. It offers tools for conducting gap analyses, building coalitions of support, streamlining workflows, and leveraging technology to enhance efficiency. It also highlights the importance of employee experience and customer experience, showing how empowering frontline staff and automating processes can improve service delivery even with reduced headcount.
This resource is especially valuable for agency heads, program managers, human resource leaders, and change management teams tasked with navigating large-scale reorganizations or budget cuts. It’s also a must-read for policy makers and oversight bodies seeking to understand the operational realities of federal transformation efforts.
Optimizing Performance in a Resource-Constrained Environment will challenge agencies to rethink how they deliver value, embrace adaptive strategies, and build resilient organizations that thrive under pressure.