HR and Homeshoring

Althouht I am skeptical of the managerial talent of the  Federal government,  one thing they can do well is utilize new technology (the government has the potential to do this, but rarely does so).  According to this article in FCW.com the FAA has

Dubbed the Knowledge Service Network (KSN), it represents an office environment, complete with doors and desks….

KSN’s core technology is Microsoft SharePoint Services, which handles document management, task tracking, library functions, calendar updates and other functions related to scheduling and training. 

The Federal government can be a great incubator of new technology since contracts with the Feds allows tech firms to get a reliable cash flow stream.  Once the technology has proven itself, the private sector can jump on board.  The software described above seems like a good effort at replicating a real-life office environment online. However, virtual office software will have to offer an office environment that is vastly improved and very different from the bricks and mortar office.  For example, many modules in the software should be automatically structured to facilitate process management.  This requires more than just clever software though, it also requires effective business process management, which the is something the Federal government probably won’t utilize.