Government CoP: Building Innovation in Government - One Designer at a Time

  • 20 Oct 2016
  • 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • GovDelivery Offices, 1152 15th St., NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC
  • 0

Registration


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As an element of the President’s Strategy for American Innovation, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy has been working with federal agencies since 2011 to identify and share practices that promote innovation and make government work better and cost less.  One approach is called human-centered design (HCD) thinking, which seeks to tap into the passion, energy, and ingenuity of federal employees and build their capacity to tackle complex challenges. 

HCD Facilitator Elaine Thomas will hold a conversation and demonstration on expanding our insight into the value of human-centered design thinking and innovation labs across government.  The Lab@OPM serves as an hub in teaching and applying HCD principles across federal agencies to deliver innovative solutions for complex public and cross-sector challenges.  HCD principles support stronger leaders and teams by:

  • Providing a framework from which to foster innovation,
  • Giving agency teams the tools to tame highly-complex problems, and
  • Helping everyone arrive at a better solution faster rather than implementing changes around symptoms.

Elaine will walk participants through some of the Lab’s recent projects and their results to date, such as the Department of Agriculture’s National School Lunch Program, and will lead a couple of facilitation activities used with federal agencies that are implementing HCD thinking.  This Design Management Institute article about the USDA project should whet your appetite for this unique evening experience at OPM!

Elaine Thomas, a Program Analyst with the LAB at OPM, is an avid learner and emerging practitioner of innovation and design both inside and outside government. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in American Studies and a Master’s Degree in Teaching and Instructional Design from University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Elaine currently performs a range of duties ranging from communications to the effectiveness and efficiency of programs offered at the LAB. She is currently finishing up a project with one of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM)’s Goals- improving customer service within the agency. Elaine started her career as an intern for the LAB and now is full-time permanent staff.

Complimentary coffee and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.

To cancel your registration, please email Julia@govloop.com at least 24 hours prior to the event so that someone on the waitlist can be offered your spot.

Share this event on your LinkedIn feed with this brief description: “Join us on October 20th for planning events and learning sessions for the ATD Government CoP!  To register, click here: http://dcatd.org/event-2349661
  
  Venue website:  https://govdelivery.com

Driving / Taxi Directions
GovDelivery’s office is located on 15th St NW between L St. and M St., just two blocks from McPherson square. The building is mostly glass and located right next to the demolition site for the old Washington Post building. Parking is available in several nearby structures and weeknight rates after 5 are typically less than $10. All parking structures in the area are valet only.

Metro Directions
The nearest metro stop is McPherson Square and the White House exit will put you about two blocks from the GovDelivery Office.

Arrival Instructions
When you arrive, please wait in the first floor lobby near the benches and someone will be down to escort you up to the 8th floor. If there is no one there to escort you when you arrive, please call Julia Taylor at 734-239-4034.