Adopting Agile in State and Local Governments

Agile emerged initially as a set of values and principles for software development, first formalized with the “Agile Manifesto” in 2001. For two decades, Agile approaches helped revolutionize software development. Today, Agile strategies have been adapted to government services beyond software development, offering new ways of thinking and delivering in areas such as project management, policymaking, human resources, and procurement.

Sukumar Ganapati

Dr. Sukumar Ganapati is an Associate Professor in the Department of Public Administration at Florida International University (FIU), located in Miami. He is also the Director of the PhD program in Public Affairs.

Using Mobile Apps in Government

More than 90 percent now own a cell phone, and three-quarters of those are smartphones. Mobile apps—first introduced in 2008—have become an essential tool for commercial services, such as music, weather, and shopping. In fact, the average smartphone user has about 40 apps on their device.

Use of Dashboards in Government

Government leaders are deluged with thousands of streams of data about the performance of their agencies and programs.

One approach the Obama administration has latched onto to make sense out of the deluge of data is the use of on-line “dashboards” of performance data that track the key performance metrics of various federal agencies and programs.  The administration has touted the benefits of dashboards as a way of organizing and filtering performance data so it makes sense to decision makers so they can understand and act on it.

Center Author Sukumar Ganapati on NPR Discussing GIS

In the age of iPhones and Google Maps, web developers are mashing up public data to provide new insights into neighborhood life. Tech Tuesday explores innovative city programs that are mapping health, traffic and development information, and changing the way people interact with local government.

A Video Overview of Using Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) to Enhance Citizen Participation

The current third wave (Geospatial Web 2.0 platforms) has seen a dramatic increase in the use of GIS by citizens, such as obtaining transit and crime information. Professor Ganapati presents several case examples of how GIS is now being used by local governments across the nation. Of special interest to Professor Ganapati is the potential use of GIS in reaching out to citizens to increase their participation in planning and decisionmaking.

Using Geographic Information Systems to Increase Citizen Engagement

Professor Ganapati traces the evolution of the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in government, with a focus on the use of GIS by local government. The current third wave (Geospatial Web 2.0 platforms) has seen a dramatic increase in the use of GIS by citizens, such as obtaining transit and crime information. Professor Ganapati presents several case examples of how GIS is now being used by local governments across the nation.

Associate Professor and Director, PhD
Program in Public Affairs Florida International University Department of Public Administration
(305) 348-6275

Dr. Sukumar Ganapati is an Associate Professor in the Department of Public Administration at Florida International University (FIU), located in Miami. He is also the Director of the PhD program in Public Affairs.

His research broadly deals with institutions and organizations in urban governance, both within the United States and internationally. He has published over 25 articles in top-ranked, peer-reviewed research journals in urban planning and public administration. Substantively, his research focuses on housing, community and economic development, and e-government and information technology applications.

Dr. Ganapati’s research on information technology encompasses open government, emerging information technologies, and their adoption in public organizations. He is also editing a special issue on pedagogy of information technology for Journal of Public Administration Education (the flagship journal of NASPAA, which is the accrediting body for public administration programs). At FIU, his teaching portfolio has included several courses related to information technology and e-government.

Dr. Ganapati obtained his PhD in Planning in 2003 from the School of Policy, Planning, and Development at the University of Southern California. Before he joined FIU in 2004, he taught at California State University, Northridge; California Polytechnic State University, Pomona; and University of Southern California, Los Angeles.