The product operating model: How government should deliver digital services - Niskanen Center

▤ Summary

The article argues that governments should replace project-based digital delivery with a product operating model. It says agencies need persistent cross-functional teams, ongoing funding, iterative work, and leadership that measures success by user outcomes instead of milestones. The piece explains how current federal budgeting, procurement, and oversight practices reinforce rigid waterfall delivery and poor software results. It also calls for legislation that supports modular contracting, outcome-based funding, and stronger product management capacity across agencies. The article frames this shift as a long-term transformation for public-sector digital services.

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