Applied Research and Solutions

KNOW-HOW AND INFORMATION

Ideas matter and preparing for the future is important for local governments.  But local government professionals are practical.  We need tools and real-life solutions to real-life problems.  Today.  Local government professionals are also pressed for time.  Managers usually want more time for research and surveying and testing new products or processes.  Rarely do we get the chance.  Think about what it would cost for your organization to have its own innovations manager whose job would be to track and research the best (and next) practices you need for the problems or issues your organization and community face.

Filling the Research Gap
The Alliance recognizes this need.  The research team at ASU and a national network of scholars and researchers the Alliance is assembling is designed to help fill the gap.  Researchers will assess and test best practices and case studies and provide evaluations of products and processes for Alliance members to use. This service will provide a rigor in assessment that is too often missing in the public sector.

Knowledge Sharing
Add to that service an improved Knowledge Center platform for searching and sharing information tailored to local government needs. Right now, the Alliance is exploring how to coordinate The Innovation Groups Knowledge Center approach with ICMA's e-library in a collaborative improvement with shared data and information and reports where appropriate.  The Alliance brings ICMA's publishing capacity and its survey research arm into its repertoire for wider and deeper dissemination of applied research and solutions to members.
 

Regional meetings are regularly scheduled in host communities where peer organizations can gather and present best practice solutions to a wide spectrum of staff members.  The Alliance newsletter, Transformations, and website (www.transformgov.org) have been upgraded to provide timely information to our members.  In fact, fresh news headlines are posted to the "GovNews" section of the website every week.

Teaching Resources
Knowledge and insights from research about innovation can be conveyed through the classroom. Modules on innovation can be added to courses on local government management, and some universities are offering entire courses devoted to innovation. Syllabi have been shared by faculty members at Arizona State University and Northern Illinois University, and Dr. James Svara has shared an article "Add Innovation to Teaching".

Make the Alliance your Innovations Manager
Finally, the Alliance is building strong relationships with private sector partners to help connect local governments and the business and consultant sector in shared goals of improved products and processes and results for local governments.
 

Taken together, the Alliance has positioned itself to serve as the innovations manager for your organization.  Think again what it would cost to hire your own innovations manager.  Then look at the membership dues for joining the Alliance. Is there any question?  Join today, if you are not already a member.