Data abounds. The public and private sectors are collecting massive amounts of data, but one question still remains: What are we supposed to do with the data? The two feature articles in this month's issue will help answer that question.

The cover story examines challenges, successes, and lessons learned about the open data movement in government. "It's not enough to simply make data more accessible," says Christina Ho of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. "Tools that allow people to interact directly with data are going to be the most valuable."

The second feature article focuses on using data to make workforce development decisions. Talent management analytics can uncover patterns, identify opportunities, formulate predictions, and inform decisions. It is time for government leaders to use data-driven decision making to develop talent.

We are coming up on the last year of an administration, and that year will cause stress for most federal government employees. It may be the last year of the agency commissioner or the final push of a particular mission or project. In the On the Horizon article, Tina Sung outlines how government employees can succeed in the dwindling days of an administration.

Also in this issue: Meet Jonathan Koppell, dean of Arizona State University's College of Public Service and Community Solutions, who is helping to change people's perception of public service. And read about some new agency heads in the Insights section.

From learning about how agencies are using data to finding out how managers can engage their employees during the last year of an administration, there should be something for everyone in this month's issue.

Paula Ketter

Editor, The Public Manager

[email protected]