Large-scale change initiatives are efforts that require the collaboration of multiple agencies; the creation of detailed, shared protocols; the requisite shifts in organizational culture; strong personal commitment and leadership; and frequently the implementation of appropriate technology.
Accenture and RCLA have developed a quarterly breakfast series for managers in both New York City and State government. The primary aim of the series is to discuss in some depth the multiple managerial and leadership challenges of implementing large-scale change at the city and state levels of government. The design and implementation of New York City's 311 system is one example of this kind of large-scale initiative. The breakfast series builds from this and other success stories of these kinds of management challenges. Outside experts who can further enrich the conversation are often invited.
In addition, this series strives to:
The quarterly breakfasts in New York City and Albany are organized around a central strategic and managerial question of particular relevance to large-scale change efforts.
For more information about the New York City series please visit: www.wagnerbriefing.com
For more information about the New York State series please visit: www.wagnerbriefing.com/albany
Perhaps not since the time of the "master builder" Robert Moses has the City aspired to and undertaken so many grand plans to shape the built environment of New York City. While the scale of change may be similar to that past era the challenges facing those who lead and manage the complex (Mega) projects, for examples, World Trade Center, Hudson Yards, Howland Hook/New York Container Terminal, are different and greater in many ways. To review the City's experience in meeting these challenges we will convene several of the key City, State and Multi-State actors in this urban drama to share the lessons they have learned.
The panel includes:
Timothy J. Gilchrist, Deputy Secretary for Economic Development and Infrastructure, New York State Office of the Governor
Robert Lieber, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development, Office of the Mayor
Christopher O. Ward, Executive Director, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Moderator: Robert D. Yaro, President, Regional Plan Association
Finding the resources necessary to support large scale change in government is challenging enough in times of expanding budgets, but managing transformations in periods of budget retrenchment is even more complex. The question is how to do more with less money. Veterans of periods of cutback management in the past will discuss their experiences and give advice on how to maintain momentum.
The panel includes:
* John H. Banks, Vice President of Government Relations, Con Edison, former Deputy Director, City Council Finance Division
* John J. Doherty, Commissioner, Department of Sanitation
* Michael P. Jacobson, Director, Vera Institute of Justice, former Corrections Commissioner and Deputy Budget Director
* Jeffrey A. Kay, Director, Mayor's Office of Operations
* Alair Townsend, Columnist, Crain's New York Business, former Budget Director and Deputy Mayor for Finance and Economic Development
Moderator: Professor Charles M. Brecher, Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, NYU.
FEBRUARY 26, 2008
It is impossible to achieve large scale change without the right leadership. This briefing will focus on leadership development in City government. It will look at various programs within New York City and how several agencies are addressing the challenge of leadership development.* Michael J. Farrell, Deputy Commissioner, Strategic Initiatives, New York Police Department
* Martha K. Hirst, Commissioner, Department of Citywide Administrative Services
* Joel I. Klein, Chancellor, Department of Education
* Edward Skyler, Deputy Mayor for Operations, Office of the Mayor
* Robert W. Walsh, Commissioner, Department of Small Business Services
Moderator: Dr. Robert J. Thomas, Executive Director of Accenture's Institute for High Performance Business and author of several books on leadership development, including most recently The Talent Powered Organization.
DECEMBER 5, 2007
The board topic is City/State collaboration - a vital component in the successful implementation of many City policies and programs. We've selected Universal Pre-Kindergarten as an example. One of the few well established facts in education is that early childhood is critical to later learning. Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Spitzer have each made Universal Pre-Kindergarten a high priority policy. Since the City is home to such a large portion of the Pre-K population, State success depends on successful implementation of the program in the City.
Pre-school children are the special concern of the City's education and human services agencies and provider nonprofit agencies. The City in turn depends on the State Legislature, the State Education Department, community based agencies, and the support of the City Council to carry out its mission. The focus of our next Executive Briefing will be the management challenges faced in harnessing all these diverse forces to produce successful educational outcomes.
With opening remarks by Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott and Deputy Secretary for Education Manuel Rivera and closing remarks by Deputy Mayor Linda Gibbs, the panel included:
* Alan Gartner, Chief of Staff, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education and Community Development
* Melanie Hartzog, Deputy Commissioner, Child Care and HeadStart, Administration for Children's Services
* Jennifer Jones-Austin, Family Services Coordinator, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services
* Kristin Proud, Deputy Director for State Operations, New York State Executive Chamber
* Anne Wolf, Deputy Executive Director, Office of Early Childhood Education, Department of Education
OCTOBER 23, 2007
Several of the state leaders central to creating and implementing outcome measures joined us at the New York State Museum in Albany to discuss the challenges they face in collaborating across organizational silos, prioritizing programs in a fluid environment, and measuring success at the state level.
With an introduction by New York State Director of Operations Olivia Golden and closing remarks by New York State Budget Director Paul Francis, the panel included:
* Gladys Carrion, Commissioner, Office of Children and Family Services
* David Hansell, Commissioner, Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
* Denise O'Donnell, Commissioner, Division of Criminal Justice Services
* David Swarts, Commissioner, Department of Motor Vehicles
Moderator: Professor Dall Forsythe, Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, New York University
SEPTEMBER 18, 2007
Earlier this year, Mayor Michael Bloomberg unveiled PlaNYC, a comprehensive plan to improve New York City's environment by 2030. Transcending departmental and traditional sector boundaries, this large-scale change program aims to achieve a bold outcome for NYC - a sustainable future. One of many ambitious components, congestion pricing has already received a lot of attention and is on its way toward becoming a reality.
With an introduction by Deputy Mayor Daniel Doctoroff, the panel included:
* Adrian Benepe, Commissioner, Department of Parks and Recreation
* Emily Lloyd,Commissioner, Department of Environmental Protection
* Janette Sadik-Khan, Commissioner, Department of Transportation
* Rohit Aggarwala, Director of Long-term Planning and Sustainability, Office of the Mayor
* Shaun Donovan, Commissioner, Department of Housing Preservation and Development
Moderator: Marcia Bystryn, League of Conservation Voters
