DOE's EERE 'Reorganized for Results' Says National Academy of Public Administration

Sep 16 - U.S. Newswire

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Following an 18-month study, the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) has praised the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and its groundbreaking July 2002 reorganization.

NAPA's report, "Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Reorganizing for Results," states: "EERE has demonstrated that much can be achieved in a relatively short period of time if top management is committed to doing so. The leadership of the Department of Energy should examine what EERE has accomplished and consider whether a similar approach would benefit the other parts of the Department."

The 2002 reorganization, based on President Bush's Management Agenda, reduced organizational layers and promoted "best practices" and procedures. Program and project management were strengthened and efforts were more closely connected to achieve maximum efficiency and organizational cohesion. In addition, a Project Management Center was established to integrate administration of EERE's research projects, so that common business practices could be applied across the board.

Earlier this year, DOE ranked first among all cabinet agencies overall in its efforts to implement the President's Management Agenda. Issued in 2001, the President's Management Agenda seeks to improve the management and performance of the federal government by making it more citizen-centered, results-oriented, and market- based. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham is fully committed to make management improvement a hallmark of his administration.

This new study showed dramatic improvements over an earlier study conducted by NAPA. In March, 2000, NAPA found that EERE suffered from fragmentation; management flaws including emphasis on process over product, lack of staff motivation and lack of commitment to organizational goals; poor communications, chiefly due to uncoordinated and poorly designed information support systems; and weak decision-making processes.

"Enhancing our effectiveness is what the President's Management Agenda is all about," David Garman, assistant Energy secretary for Efficiency and Renewable Energy said. "We sought to create a single organization with a single purpose focused on results rather than process. This was more than shifting boxes around on an organizational chart. We had to embrace new ways of doing business, and our work to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy will be more effective as a consequence. I am proud of what the EERE's staff has accomplished, and we are proud to have the Academy's validation of our success in transforming EERE from a challenged and underperforming office to a model worthy of emulation."

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