Little Rock
Failing Forward in action
"[I'm now able] to look at a failed process and not take it as a personal failing".
Top barriers to Failing Forward
Confusion among staff regarding whether they can or should try new things
Perception that some staff are resistant to changing the status quo
Fear of the retaliation or personal blame assignment for speaking up about challenges
Poor internal communications
Top ideas to embrace Failing Forward
Implement systems that both institutionalize evaluation of new/existing programs for potential improvements and provide staff with the time/space to discuss failure
Review department procedures and policies to ensure overarching alignment
Create 'Ideas Committee' to promote innovation at all levels
Incorporate learning from failure into staff trainings and policies and procedures for new programs
How to Fail (Forward)
A framework for fostering innovation in the public sector.
Drawing on our experience working with six local governments, we first investigate why it is so difficult for those in local government to learn from failures. Second, we consider what department leaders can do to build the conditions in which they and their teams can fail forward.