Train Nontechnical Senior Executives In Info Tech

1. Establish a program to train nontechnical senior executives and
political appointees in information technology.

By June 1994, the Government Information Technology Services Working
Group should direct OPM and the General Services Administration (GSA) to
jointly develop and administer a training program, which should begin by
September 1994. OPM and GSA should consult with each agency on the
program development and implementation strategies at the agency level.
The program can be delivered as a series of executive technology
seminars implemented through "centers of excellence" such as the
Information Resource Management College of the National Defense
University, the Federal Executive Institute, or a university. The
program could be modeled after the New York City Department of
Personnel's Executive Development Program, which consists of monthly
half-day sessions on a variety of sophisticated IT and management
topics, including strategic planning/top-down planning, reengineering,
implementing systems, electronic mail, video conferencing, voice-
enhanced technologies, geographic information systems, database
management systems, imaging, and multi-agency complaint and inspection
systems.

Program participants should develop a clear understanding of how their
organization can benefit from information technology; learn effective
uses of IT--particularly in the federal sector; and intensify their
commitment to using, managing, and implementing IT. Program topics could
include IT acquisition and implementation, principles of organizational
change and the impact of new technologies, customer service, and the
role of technology in stimulating service redesign. In addition, the
program should provide an opportunity for executives to share their
experiences in IT implementation with their peers.