How to Use This Guide

In the past year, you’ve had to innovate on a budget, think outside the restrictions of red tape and find solutions that move initiatives forward.

The purpose of the guide is to sift through the very dense and trying experiences of the past year to highlight actionable lessons that you can carry into the new one.

Use this time to reflect on what you’ve experienced and learned. This collection of innovative best practices, tips and lessons are forward-looking and applicable for frontline employees up to the C-suite.

We used the following categories to classify the types of innovation you’ll learn about:

INNOVATIVE THINKING A way of thinking that either produced a positive outcome or shows promise of having great impact

BREAKTHROUGH INNOVATIONS A new concept or action that is taking hold

CONTINUOUS INNOVATION Ongoing innovation that is producing new results

As you review the case studies and best practices in this guide, consider these questions:

→ In the past year, how have you embraced new or different ways of working and thinking?

→ Does your agency encourage or incentivize this type of behavior? How so?

→ How can I use this guide to spark conversations about innovation or to take the necessary next steps to move forward?

Throughout the guide, you'll find industry spotlight interviews that explore how technology solutions are spurring innovation across government.