Public sector managers at various levels of government make policy, regulatory and operations recommendations that influence the decisions of elected and high ranking officials in their deliberations and policymaking. These managers' recommendations impact the lives of hundreds, thousands and in some cases, millions of people. Their research, analysis, understanding of the issues, management experience and skill make all the difference in determining the success and effectiveness of the government in delivering services, strategic planning, allocating resources and competing for jobs and business in the global economy.
As a former elected official it is my experience that governments that are managed effectively, that innovate and that seek to perform at the highest level of efficiency employ knowledgeable, experienced management teams dedicated to transparency, data based decision making, diversity and ethical leadership. Setting a high bar for ethics and accountability, while delivering performance results, is fundamental to gaining and maintaining the public trust required to tackle the tough choices that many governments and agencies face. The class will explore these topics.
This course assumes you care about the effectiveness of government service, the cost of government and the role of public managers in achieving these goals. Additionally, it assumes you expect to understand the application of theory as a public sector leader.
The class assignments include 2 team projects and a comprehensive agency analysis report. In addition, guest speakers who have lead large complex government and non profit organizations will add their perspectives throughout the semester. The assigned readings provide reference for the class discussions and your exploration of management principles and practice.
The course presents a practitioner's approach to public management.
Topics: government management, leadership, ethics, cultural diversity and communications