Establish Pilot Program Design Capabilities

Establish Pilot Program Design Capabilities in One or Two Agencies

After development of the handbook, the PMC should designate one or two
agencies to pilot test program design capability to determine the value
and costs of this function for a reasonable probationary period such as
two years. For example, these pilots could establish a modest program
design office in each agency staffed by personnel qualified in program
design, management, and evaluation. The purpose of these offices would
be to help senior officials design new programs, assess alternate
program designs, and review existing programs for design integrity.
Other mechanisms and structures for creating program design capability
would be permissible. Where those pilots prove successful, program
design capabilities would be expanded to other agencies on an
incremental basis. However, if they fail to meet predetermined
performance criteria, the pilots would be restructured or terminated.

The long-term ideal for institutionalizing sound program design is the
integration of good design practices in the program formulation and
management processes organic to each agency and department. The most
significant advantage to establishing program design functions at the
agency level is that it brings program design capabilities closer to the
customers and program managers. If reinventing government is to be
successful, there must be a comprehensive cultural change in the
agencies. The placement of the program design function at the agency
level should help to facilitate cultural change where many program
designs originate and where programs are implemented.

A principal disadvantage of this approach is that the design staffs may
be unduly constrained and influenced by their immediate environments.
They may find it difficult to elevate their perspectives to a higher
plane that would foster fresh, creative approaches to the design of
agency programs. Also, innovative inter-agency opportunities may be
harder to conceive and implement if the program design function is
totally embedded within a single agency.  However, the pilot
demonstrations should indicate if this is an insurmountable handicap or
if feasible remedies are available.

All agencies should be encouraged to test program design principles in
their reinvention laboratories.  Principles could be applied to either
an existing program or to the design of a new program. The reinvention
laboratory would provide a protected setting in which to examine the
possibility of improved outcomes based on improved design features.
Some agencies (e.g., Interior) have emulated the National Performance
Review structure and have program design teams. The agency team can
provide advice and assistance to the laboratory regarding the proper use
of design principles and the evaluation of success or failure.