Deloitte Survey: Agencies Advance Efforts to Meet President’s Management Agenda Goals; Dave Mader Quoted

A new Deloitte survey has found that federal agencies have made great strides in efforts to meet the objectives of the President’s Management Agenda.

“What makes this PMA stand out from its predecessors is its recognition that the reform activities it highlights transcend a president’s term in office to focus on long-term achievements,” Dave Mader, civilian sector chief strategy officer at Deloitte’s consulting business, said in a statement published Thursday.

“That long-term focus can help federal organizations overcome the pressure to adopt a short-term mindset that doesn’t drive sustainable improvement or create expectations for outcomes that simply can’t be accomplished in two to three years,” Mader added.

Deloitte found that 60 percent of civilian respondents said their organizations have earmarked funds for improved customer engagement and service; data analytics adoption; and improved workforce skills.

Approximately 60 percent of civilian respondents said their agencies have a strategic plan in place to build up citizen engagement, while over 40 percent said their organizations have begun to field automation programs.

The study also revealed that about 50 percent of respondents said their agencies intend to seek funds for artificial intelligence/machine learning; cybersecurity; and information technology systems via the $100M Technology Modernization Fund.

Deloitte teamed up with 1105 Media to poll 150 employees from the Defense Department and federal civilian agencies in late October.