Invasion of the Innovators

[Commentary] Increasingly, officials say what ails the federal government when it comes to IT -- a Byzantine contracting structure, antiquated technology and ineffectual engineering processes, all thrown into high relief during the HealthCare.gov fiasco -- can be solved by hordes of fresh talent schooled in the fail-fast, agile mind-set pioneered in Silicon Valley. High-caliber talent has heeded the call, swooping into government for “tours of duty” with both US Digital Service and a sister effort launched by the General Services Administration called 18F.

Still, it remains to be seen how this new crop of innovative outsiders will fare in the federal bureaucracy. Government Executive spoke with outside experts, agency officials and some of the leaders of the new digital squads, including at GSA’s 18F team, to get a sense of the scope of the efforts and their long-term plans.