Table Of Content

TLFeBOOK 2520-00_FM.qxd 11/4/04 16:32 Page i The 2 0 0 4 P RUNE Book TLFeBOOK This page intentionally left blank TLFeBOOK 2520-00_FM.qxd 11/4/04 16:32 Page iii The 2 0 0 4 P RUNE Book TO P M A N A G E M E N T C H A L L E N G E S F O R P R E S I D E N T I A L A P P O I N T E E S J O H N H . T R AT T N E R with Patricia McGinnis COUNCIL FOR EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT BROOKINGS INSTITUTION PRESS Washington, D.C. TLFeBOOK 2520-00_FM.qxd 11/4/04 16:32 Page iv About Brookings The Brookings Institution is a private nonprofit organization devoted to research, education, and publication on important issues of domestic and foreign policy. Its principal purpose is to bring knowledge to bear on current and emerging policy problems. The Institution maintains a position of neutrality on issues of public policy. Interpretations or conclusions in Brookings publications should be under- stood to be solely those of the authors. Copyright © 2005 COUNCIL FOR EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the Brookings Institution Press, 1775 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036 (www.brookings.edu). Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication data Trattner, John H. The 2004 prune book : top management challenges for presidential appointees / John H. Trattner with Patricia McGinnis, Council for Excellence in Government. p. cm. Summary: “A toolkit for incoming senior federal appointees, detailing the management dimensions of their jobs and explaining the underlying coordinating strategies that reflect current management practice in the federal government and its drive to improve perfor- mance, seen as the return on taxpayer dollars”—Provided by publisher. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-8157-8327-2 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Government executives—United States. I. Title: Prune book. II. McGinnis, Patricia, CEO. III. Center for Excellence in Government (Washington, D.C.) IV. Title. JK723.E9T7154 2005 352.2'93—dc22 2004024393 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 The paper used in this publication meets minimum requirements of the American National Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials: ANSI Z39.48-1992. Typeset in Sabon Composition and design by Circle Graphics Columbia, Maryland Printed by R.R. Donnelley Harrisonburg, Virginia TLFeBOOK 2520-00_FM.qxd 11/4/04 16:32 Page v To honor the accomplishments of Elliot L. Richardson Longtime trustee, Council for Excellence in Government Superb manager, unmatched achiever in public service, perceptive and visionary leader TLFeBOOK This page intentionally left blank TLFeBOOK 2520-00_FM.qxd 11/4/04 16:32 Page vii Contents Acknowledgments ix Introduction xiii PART ONE Survival and Success in Washington 1 How to Succeed in Washington: 3 Getting Results for the People You Serve Patricia McGinnis PART TWO Federal Management Today John H. Trattner 2 Results: Concept and Action 27 3 Coordinating Groups 51 4 Leadership Positions 69 5 Management Support Structures 91 PART THREE 6 Prune Books, Past and Future 99 John H. Trattner with Frank A. Weil Index 109 vii TLFeBOOK This page intentionally left blank TLFeBOOK 2520-00_FM.qxd 11/4/04 16:32 Page ix Acknowledgments F irst mention here belongs to former Council Chair Frank A. Weil. As in the past, he stepped up to the challenge of funding the Prune Book in 2004 with vigor. A founding member of the Council and of the Prune project, Frank added to his very generous personal gift a strong, successful effort to develop support from other sources. Once again, the Council gratefully recognizes his financial support and leadership not only across seventeen years of Prune Book history, but also in his sturdy back- ing of other Council programs. Our deep appreciation in this respect goes also to the Fannie Mae Foun- dation and the Touchstone Consulting Group, Inc., each a corporate part- ner of the Council. Franklin Raines, chair and chief executive officer of Fannie Mae—the Federal National Mortgage Association—took a personal role in the foundation’s substantial grant toward the cost of Prune Book 2004’s editorial production. Chris McGoff, Touchstone’s chairman and chief executive officer, and Steve Lynott, president and chief operat- ing officer, led their company’s decision to help cover the cost of distrib- uting the book to hundreds of leaders in the executive branch and the Congress. The contributions of all three, and of their organizations, were indispensable in producing the book and getting it into the hands of its key audience. Mark Novitch, who robustly supported earlier volumes in this series, deserves our warm thanks for a further liberal and timely gift this year. His proactive interest and readiness to help have been significant factors in the achievements of the Prune Book series. We equally acknowledge ix TLFeBOOK