In November 2024, the Partnership for Public Service published an updated version of this report with new data and improved methods for calculations that is available here.
Data from the Partnership for Public Service found that Senate confirmation of presidential appointees are taking longer than ever.
Why it Matters
A major presidential responsibility is to fill more than 1,200 political appointments requiring Senate confirmation. Few decisions have a greater impact on the success of an administration than the selection of its people. A president must not only select well-qualified appointees, but work with relevant federal agencies and the Senate to get appointees in place quickly. This is especially crucial for a president beginning their first term, or transitioning to a second term, as year five usually coincides with a turnover of more than 40% in senior leadership positions.
A framework developed by the Partnership for Public Service and PricewaterhouseCooper (PwC), which describes the entities and relationships that a president has available to implement policy and manage the government enterprise. The report depicts the White House offices, key personnel, policy and management councils and the role of the Office of Management and Budget as the key to the center of government design and operation.
On the campaign trail, the presidential candidates promise swift action on policy promises. Come January, the next occupant of the Oval Office will need to transform these campaign promises into policies and programs that produce positive outcomes for the American people. During the past year, the Partnership for Public Service and the IBM Center for The Business of Government held roundtable dialogues with a wide range of experts to inform the next president and the new administration’s team about critical management issues. Through these discussions and accompanying reports we have developed a management roadmap for the next administration.
Read the whitepapers
Managing the Government’s Executive Talent
Building an Enterprise Government
Enhancing the Government’s Decision-Making
Encouraging and Sustaining Innovation in Government
Learn more about the Ready to Govern® initiative.
The inspectors general serve as the canary in the coal mine, warning federal leaders of agency risks and vulnerabilities. They also have a unique, long-term perspective on their organizations since they typically remain in place through changes in leadership. In this report, “Walking the Line: Inspectors General Balancing Independence and Impact,” the Partnership for Public Service and Grant Thornton Public Sector set out to identify ways incoming agency leaders and Congress can form constructive relationships with the IG community.
