4 ms·

Please forgive the directness, but I need to ask you this because I have noticed a pattern. Whenever HealthCare.gov gets mentioned, there's always the most over

Please forgive the directness, but I need to ask you this because I have noticed a pattern. Whenever HealthCare.gov gets mentioned, there's always the most over-the-top enthusiasm for how it was such a great turnaround. I've worked with dozens of large projects -- including ones that were turned around -- and this is new to me. The only thing new I can see here is the political environment around the healthcare law. Hopefully I am wrong. So when the Republicans take control over the executive branch, this time or whenever in the future, are we going to keep hearing such great boosterism? The Republicans decide to automate voter identification and the project goes south, will we see such great turnaround stories? It would be very comforting to know that the new Digital Service and the influx of enthusiasm is not limited to one party or large government project. Some assurance would be most appreciated.

gajomi 11y ago
"So when the Republicans take control over the executive branch... are we going to keep hearing such great boosterism?" WHy are you asking him? I don't think anyone knows the answer to this. Obviously the major factor would be whether the next president (be they Republican or Democrat) decide to continue support for these kinds of teams, both in terms of funding and autonomy to do their job. This seems like something we should be asking the candidates and their parties about.
- DanielBMarkham 11y ago
  Because the topic of this thread is the large scale system of project delivery and changes to it. The poster made some sweeping statements about how the article was not accurate and provided great reference material to what he considered more relevant material. Given the topic of how these large systems operate and could be improved, and given the poster's claims to have special insight, seemed reasonable to me to continue the dialog. After all, this was an example of behavior associated with the topic at hand. And my question was about enthusiasm and public support. Why would presidential candidates have anything to do with this? If it is partisan, then my question has been answered.
  - brandonb 11y ago
    The US Digital Service started with healthcare.gov, but nowadays they work across the government on projects that matter to people all over the political spectrum: VA, immigration, department of education, and more. That said, I have no way to predict who the Republican nominee will be or what they'll do. I think the impact of USDS relative to its budget is huge, and I'd like to believe making the government competent at writing software is a bipartisan issue, so I would hope this initiative crosses over into the next administration, whoever it is. Right now, I think everybody at USDS is just focused on getting results over the next 18 months.

gajomi 11y ago

"So when the Republicans take control over the executive branch... are we going to keep hearing such great boosterism?" WHy are you asking him? I don't think anyone knows the answer to this. Obviously the major factor would be whether the next president (be they Republican or Democrat) decide to continue support for these kinds of teams, both in terms of funding and autonomy to do their job. This seems like something we should be asking the candidates and their parties about.

DanielBMarkham 11y ago
Because the topic of this thread is the large scale system of project delivery and changes to it. The poster made some sweeping statements about how the article was not accurate and provided great reference material to what he considered more relevant material. Given the topic of how these large systems operate and could be improved, and given the poster's claims to have special insight, seemed reasonable to me to continue the dialog. After all, this was an example of behavior associated with the topic at hand. And my question was about enthusiasm and public support. Why would presidential candidates have anything to do with this? If it is partisan, then my question has been answered.
- brandonb 11y ago
  The US Digital Service started with healthcare.gov, but nowadays they work across the government on projects that matter to people all over the political spectrum: VA, immigration, department of education, and more. That said, I have no way to predict who the Republican nominee will be or what they'll do. I think the impact of USDS relative to its budget is huge, and I'd like to believe making the government competent at writing software is a bipartisan issue, so I would hope this initiative crosses over into the next administration, whoever it is. Right now, I think everybody at USDS is just focused on getting results over the next 18 months.