Every year, the GovTech Top 25 winners are selected by Government Technology Magazine. They demonstrate a commitment to making sure the systems that run government nationwide are accessible, reliable, and made for the 21st century. In 2017, Rebecca Woodbury, founder of Department of Civic Things, was honored with the award. Rebecca Woodbury thinks employees of … Continued
The book “The Open Organization” by Jim Whitehurst speaks to the idea of openness beyond the legal definition of transparency or simple collaboration, but as a tool for making government work better for people. Whitehurst talks about an “open everything culture” and that it’s not for everyone. To succeed in this culture, you must be … Continued
Originally published in Western City in January 2020: Local government is in transition. Public trust in government has declined, and there is no shortage of high expectations. According to a 2016 survey, 85 percent of Americans expect the same or higher quality from government digital services as they would get from a private company. In … Continued
Originally published in GovTech in October 2016: The public sector moves more slowly than the business world. Government information technology contracts are huge, long-term beasts. Public agencies prefer establishment over risk. All of that used to be true — but it’s changing. According to a group of businesspeople and public officials who gathered Thursday in … Continued
Originally published in Techwire on June 3, 2019: San Rafael’s new Digital Service & Open Government department released a Draft Strategic Framework late last month that proposes four tech focuses: open engagement, service design, data use and analytics, and technology modernization. Rebecca Woodbury, the agency director, said she and her fellow staffers “see ourselves as capacity builders” helping … Continued
Originally published in Government Technology Magazine (Jan/Feb 2018). It was part of Voices in Gov Tech, featuring the unique perspectives of leaders in the market. Read the full series here. Despite the critical work that public servants do for their communities, many lack the tech tools they need to do their jobs. I should know; I’ve worked in … Continued
