Where Program delivery tasks are assigned by territory, embed staff in that territory - full time.
By embedding staff in assigned territory full time, versus centralized/regional placement, enormous operational savings would be realized. With centralized approach, travel & overhead expenses are significant. Full time placment in territory will reduce travel and overhead costs. As many federal employees are already set up for remote functioning, simply use it. By eliminating the need for full time office space, overhead costs can be significantly reduced. No desk space, land phone line, furniture, suppies, etc. would be needed. Working from a location in an assigned territory will eliminate virtually all costs associated with airfare, lodging & perdiem. Program delivery will be enhanced as direct contact with many customers can be virtually immediate.
This is a no brainer. To date, rejections for such requested arrangements have been met with management reasoning such as "your place is here in this office". It appears that little serious consideration has been afforded the real cost savings, operating expense reductions, and enhanced Program delivery that will most assuredly result in such innovative and progressive arrangements.
This arrangement will serve staff well on a personal basis as more time is spent at home with friends/family and less time is spent traveling for lengthy periods of time.
Frankly, the time is overdue for government to evolve into the 21st century. Many steps and measures can be developed and implemented that will significantly reduce government operational and Program delivery costs. Stronger direction from the top needs to be handed down that will effectively require those with authority to "think outside the box". For those government employees that are mature, effective, and reliable, if they were placed full time where the work is, the benefits would be "priceless" to leadership, management, and most importantly, our customers.
Alternatively, step back and replace more expensive portable equipment with less expensive stationary equipment (i.e. desktop computers versus laptop computers, land lines versus blackberries, etc.). Increase travel budgets to support effective Program delivery.
