At a national summit, state and local officials showcased how evidence, data and collaboration are reshaping performance management and pointing to lessons for every level of government.

The SBA’s pandemic-era response wasn’t flawless, but it set a precedent. It proved that bold steps, smart partnerships and modern technology can make government faster, fairer and more fraud-resistant. The rest of the government should treat that not as an exception but as a model.

AI is already transforming financial services in the private sector. The government must act now to fully integrate AI-driven solutions into federal loan and grant programs.

Financial modernization isn’t just a compliance issue. It’s a mission readiness issue. A digitally intelligent financial system supports faster resourcing for equipment, personnel and operational priorities. It ensures warfighters get what they need without delay or red tape.

The tax agency should borrow from the Social Security Administration's SecurityStat effort to measure performance and promote internal transparency.

GAO offers an important roadmap for addressing longstanding human capital management challenges. Sustained, public leadership attention, including featuring the issue in the PMA, is essential to achieving lasting success in this area. We are confident improvements will be evident as a result of these efforts and focus.

The reliance on antiquated technology to manage massive financial portfolios and critical government services is increasingly untenable.

The federal government sits on billions in underused real estate — it is time to turn waste into opportunity.