As I've been thinking about what OpenGoddard's been doing, I've realized how difficult it is to share what's going on with all the people who have shown interest in the group. Specifically, we've had some really interesting Tuesday Roundtable discussions, and I've been trying to figure out (1) how to increase awareness of the kinds of topics that are coming up and (2) create a way for these ideas and perspectives to spread outside of OpenGoddard itself.
In thinking about this, I realized that this website/blog would be a good place to post a quick summary of our ideas, and not only would it allow folks who can't make the discussions to see what's going on, but it would also provide a way for people to leave comments and to build on those ideas.
My goal is to blog once a week about the Tuesday Roundtable discussion. Now since I have some catching up to do, I'll have to summarize the topics to date pretty briefly. I promise that I'll be very careful to post in a way that doesn't jeopardize anyone's privacy. Also, I'll make every attempt to be clear about what in the post is my opinion versus the general opinion of the group. If anyone else would ever like to blog about a particular discussion, please let me know!
So, to try to capture some of my favorite ideas so far...
We talked about the new science building at Goddard that is under construction and had a general concern that it doesn't seem right that civil servants automatically get the nice offices and contractors get the crap that's left over. It makes more sense to organize offices in such a way that people who work together are close to each other!
We've talked a lot about collaboration, about the CoLab efforts at the agency, and about the various tools and organizations trying to figure out how to increase collaboration. How do you create a culture in which people want to work together?
We've heard that Google lets employees take 4 hours per week to work on whatever they want and that this time stimulates some awesome creativity and really cool projects! Perhaps we could do that at Goddard!
We love what the Center has done in terms of putting forward the effort to put together a blueprint for our future. Yet somehow it doesn't seem to be catching on. People don't seem to believe in it yet.
We've talked about how NASA hasn't had one big unifying goal since the Apollo program, and that's how we've ended up with four different missions all fighting for the same pot of money. Not very effective!
Anyway, that's the two cent version of some of the things that have come up! If you're at Goddard, stop by our Tuesday Roundtable discussions! Also, please leave comments and feel free to discuss things here too!
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1 comment:
Hey Rivers!
I had every intentions to coming to the discussion and it appears that I missed a great one.
Somehow I think that the reason why it's hard to believe in the blueprint is that there is a fraction between those who HAVE funding/perks/perceived prestiege/etc and those who don't. Sometimes I see the infrastructure here and how folks have to scrounge around for some of the basic tools and services and see a plan that incorporates some fabulous things, but I also feel that there's a huge gap that needs to be crossed.
I think what you're doing is awesome and will help in that area.
Ok, enough soapbox, I'll get back to my existence in Bldg 8.
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