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The 2 0 0 4
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The 2 0 0 4
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TO P M A N A G E M E N T
C H A L L E N G E S F O R
P R E S I D E N T I A L
A P P O I N T E E S
J O H N H . T R AT T N E R
with Patricia McGinnis
COUNCIL FOR EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT
BROOKINGS INSTITUTION PRESS
Washington, D.C.
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About Brookings
The Brookings Institution is a private nonprofit organization devoted to research,
education, and publication on important issues of domestic and foreign policy. Its
principal purpose is to bring knowledge to bear on current and emerging policy
problems. The Institution maintains a position of neutrality on issues of public
policy. Interpretations or conclusions in Brookings publications should be under-
stood to be solely those of the authors.
Copyright © 2005
COUNCIL FOR EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or by any means without permission in writing from
the Brookings Institution Press, 1775 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20036 (www.brookings.edu).
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication data
Trattner, John H.
The 2004 prune book : top management challenges for presidential appointees / John H.
Trattner with Patricia McGinnis, Council for Excellence in Government.
p. cm.
Summary: “A toolkit for incoming senior federal appointees, detailing the management
dimensions of their jobs and explaining the underlying coordinating strategies that reflect
current management practice in the federal government and its drive to improve perfor-
mance, seen as the return on taxpayer dollars”—Provided by publisher.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-8157-8327-2 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Government executives—United States. I. Title: Prune book. II. McGinnis, Patricia,
CEO. III. Center for Excellence in Government (Washington, D.C.) IV. Title.
JK723.E9T7154 2005
352.2'93—dc22 2004024393
8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
The paper used in this publication meets minimum requirements of the
American National Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence of
Paper for Printed Library Materials: ANSI Z39.48-1992.
Typeset in Sabon
Composition and design by Circle Graphics
Columbia, Maryland
Printed by R.R. Donnelley
Harrisonburg, Virginia
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To honor the accomplishments of
Elliot L. Richardson
Longtime trustee, Council for Excellence in Government
Superb manager, unmatched achiever in public service,
perceptive and visionary leader
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Contents
Acknowledgments ix
Introduction xiii
PART ONE
Survival and Success in Washington
1 How to Succeed in Washington: 3
Getting Results for the People You Serve
Patricia McGinnis
PART TWO
Federal Management Today
John H. Trattner
2 Results: Concept and Action 27
3 Coordinating Groups 51
4 Leadership Positions 69
5 Management Support Structures 91
PART THREE
6 Prune Books, Past and Future 99
John H. Trattner with Frank A. Weil
Index 109
vii
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Acknowledgments
F
irst mention here belongs to former Council Chair Frank A. Weil.
As in the past, he stepped up to the challenge of funding the Prune
Book in 2004 with vigor. A founding member of the Council and of
the Prune project, Frank added to his very generous personal gift a strong,
successful effort to develop support from other sources. Once again, the
Council gratefully recognizes his financial support and leadership not only
across seventeen years of Prune Book history, but also in his sturdy back-
ing of other Council programs.
Our deep appreciation in this respect goes also to the Fannie Mae Foun-
dation and the Touchstone Consulting Group, Inc., each a corporate part-
ner of the Council. Franklin Raines, chair and chief executive officer of
Fannie Mae—the Federal National Mortgage Association—took a per-
sonal role in the foundation’s substantial grant toward the cost of Prune
Book 2004’s editorial production. Chris McGoff, Touchstone’s chairman
and chief executive officer, and Steve Lynott, president and chief operat-
ing officer, led their company’s decision to help cover the cost of distrib-
uting the book to hundreds of leaders in the executive branch and the
Congress. The contributions of all three, and of their organizations, were
indispensable in producing the book and getting it into the hands of its
key audience.
Mark Novitch, who robustly supported earlier volumes in this series,
deserves our warm thanks for a further liberal and timely gift this year.
His proactive interest and readiness to help have been significant factors
in the achievements of the Prune Book series. We equally acknowledge
ix
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