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. Think about what it would take to access the work of academic researchers at universities. 

"the alliance for innovation brings together the best in basic and applied research with the best in governmental practice to aid in building more effective and responsive communities across the U.S. and beyond.  i really believe the alliance and asu have created a new model for local government research and application."

-Dr. Robert Denhardt, Director, School of Public Affairs, Arizona State University

Closing the research gap

Arizona State University (ASU), the Alliance research partner, is expanding the research capability of the Alliance.  The Alliance for Innovation recognizes the importance of closing the gap between needed information and usable knowledge.  We are addressing it in the following ways:

• The research team at ASU and the Academic Network of urban research scholars ASU has assembled are designed to promote the discovery of new research and the generation of knowledge about local government policy and management.  Academic Network researchers share current findings and contribute to studies and white papers on relevant topics for local government.
• The Alliance uses case studies and award submittals to assess cutting edge practices and provide summaries of the most successful activities to Alliance members.
• The Alliance employs graduate students, competitively selected through the Marvin Andrews Fellows Program at ASU to find relevant and proven practices used by local governments to answer questions members are seeking.
• The Alliance offers the opportunity to participate in pilot programs to test new ideas and products that are entering the local government marketplace.

These services will provde a rigor in assessment that is too often missing in the public sector!

knowledge sharing

Add to these services a new, improved and collaborative Knowledge Network for searching and sharing information tailored to local government needs.  The new Knowledge Network is a direct result of the partnership between the Alliance for Innovation, ICMA and ASU.  We have combined the former ICMA e-library and the Alliance Knowledge Center to create an exciting on line information sharing system.  It embraces Web 2.0 and social media technology to help local government discover emerging and best practices.  While the Knowledge Network is jointly hosted, Alliance for Innovation members will have access to added value content on topics such as:

• Collaboration and Partnership
• Development Resources
• Management and Innovation
• Organizational Development and Culture

publications and learning programs

Timely sharing is a fundamental principal of the Alliance.  As such we bring various media and in-person presentations to local government members and state affiliate organizations on a regular basis.

• The Alliance newsletter, Transformations, and website (www.transformgov.org) have been substantially upgraded to provide timely information to members.  In addition, fresh news headlines are posted to the "GovNews" section of the website every week.
• A new publication has been added to our line-up.  The IDEAS Quarterly Report features topics of interest, but with authors who bring new and different perspectives to a subject.  National researchers, celebrity columnists, graduate students and local government leaders share their viewpoint on the issues of the day.
• Alliance President, Karen Thoreson and ASU Professor, Jim Svara are regular co-authors for PM Magazine's Innovation Edge column and the ICMA Municipal Yearbook.

new research

The Alliance works with ICMA, ASU and others to produce timely white papers on topics of interest and that require action.  Navigating the Fiscal Crisis: Test Strategies for Local Leaders received great acclaim in 2009.  It was a collaborative project that combined the contributions of 19 scholars from 13 universities.  A new white paper focused on civic engagement will be published in 2010.  The white papers use both academic resources and local government case studies to deepen understanding of a complex topic and chart a path to emerging and proven practices.  Work on developing a curriculum to build capacity for organizational innovation is underway and being tested during 2010.

pilots for new products and processes

The Alliance is committed to bringing our members cutting edge opportunities for testing new products or trying new organizational processes.  Our model is to identify companies and consultants who are breaking into the market with new products and allow Alliance members to experiment and find out whether they add significant value to their organization.  The Alliance monitors these pilot efforts and then is able to report results to the entire membership.

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 instructors in any course can Add Innovation to Teaching.

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?