Who Should Read This Report

We initially undertook this research with the goal of providing useful information for practitioners. However, multiple audiences can benefit from the findings in many different ways. We’ve outlined below how we anticipate different audiences using this content.

Government Leaders

We aim to inspire leaders to think differently about government, and to provide them with a roadmap for how to innovate within their own cities, counties, states and agencies. Additionally, this report gives a good overview of locales where innovation is happening, with the idea that leaders can connect with others across the country.

Future Innovators

For those who are either working in government, or those who would like to create better government services but aren’t sure how to start, we hope this report will show how change happens. We have provided many examples of small steps practitioners have taken, as well as painted a broad picture of the myriad different models and approaches currently being put into practice.

Practitioners

As practitioners ourselves, we know many of the people doing this work feel siloed and isolated. We also know no one has a bird’s eye view of the work being done across the country. For practitioners, this report should provide a sense of community, and understanding of what other teams are trying––what works and what doesn’t––and should help make sense of many of the ideas that are probably swirling around your head but perhaps you haven’t quite articulated yet.

Funders

Finally, we understand that there are many organizations looking to fund projects to help governments innovate and solve crucial problems. For funders, we have provided different innovation models with benefits and drawbacks, and also identified where the field needs help––where the gaps lie and what can be done to fill them.