Research Update

Pivotal is committed to delivering timely research that addresses the significant business and technology challenges facing the public sector. The following is a list of the specific research about to start, underway, or recently complete. More information can found on our research plans and offers at the Pivotal Web Site.

We are here to serve your needs. If you believe that there is an important topic that we are not addressing, or if the focus of our research is not on target, please let us know.

Completed Research

The Skinny on PART
This report looks at the background of OMB's Program Assessment Reporting Tool (PART), how PART relates to GPRA and other efforts, and what agencies can expect moving forward. Also discusses best practices for Agencies completing PART Assessments. Click here access.

The Blurring Lines Of Strategy And Execution
The notion of strategic planning has taken a variety of forms over the past several years. Strategic planning processes range from static annual processes to dynamic interactive processes providing ongoing support to operations. This report includes a summary of Pivotal Insight's research and analysis of strategic planning best practices in the commercial sector, an assessment of the applicability of these practices in the public sector, and case studies of public sector strategic planning efforts.Click here access.

Ongoing Research

Managing Amid Chaos: How Government HR Executives Can Conquer Mission Flux
Description: For Federal agencies and their leadership, mission flux is a serious condition, which places a significant burden on human resource organizations to find and develop the staff needed to respond to flux, often with highly constrained resources themselves. Part of Pivotal Insight’s ongoing study on “Responding to Mission Flux in the Federal Government”, this phase will identify and analyze the best practices for managing through mission flux in federal organizations using both internal and external resources.
Status: Pivotal is currently seeking additional participants and sponsors for the next phase of the mission flux study. All information on particular organization activity will be blinded and kept confidential. All participants will receive a summary version of the study in return for their time and input. For those interested in full access to the study, there are also sponsorship opportunities. If you are interested in participating, please contact us.

Surviving the Requirements Morass
Description:Ineffective and undisciplined requirements management causes more programs to fail than any other factor and is responsible for much of the pain inflicted on a program/project manager. The inability to get requirements "right the first time" and keep them under control delays and collapses programs and wastes the taxpayers' money. Good requirements management is not impossible, and best practices exist.
Status: The target release date for this report is Summer, 2004. Pivotal Insight is gathering data and seeking to interview Federal, State, and Local program/project managers, contracting officers, and requirement boards/teams. All information on particular organization activity will be blinded and kept confidential. All participants will receive the report without charge. If you are interested in participating, please contact us.

Proposed Research

The Cost and Benefits of Procurement Outsourcing
Description: : Increasingly government buyers at all levels face complex challenges in determining not only what to buy, but how to buy it. Specifically, many now contemplate outsourcing procurement processes in whole or in part. Private sector success with procurement outsourcing created an industry capable of serving agencies and giving them access to the resources, scale, technology, and expertise they may lack. At the same time, government procurement presents unique challenges in protecting the public trust and must demonstrate fair and socially-equitable decision-making. This effort will investigate the value and challenges of outsourcing procurement functions, as well as assess what should or should not be considered “inherently governmental.”
Status: To ensure the credibility and cover the costs of the report, Pivotal is seeking a limited number of sponsors from both government and the private sector. Minimum sponsorships for commercial companies begin at $15,000. Government sponsorships begin at $7,500. All information on particular organization activity will be blinded and kept confidential. Report sponsors will have input on the direction and distribution of the report. If you are interested in participating, please contact us.