I used to work for one of the most efficient parts of the federal government and we only had 35% non-productive rate for work, or a 65% efficiency if you go by industrial amounts. Standard industrial efficiency for that sort of labor was 80%. Got to dig into those numbers back in the late ’90s with the TQM/right sizing/re-engineering fads sweeping through the landscape one right after another and was on multiple groups/councils/boards trying to figure out just what to do with new ‘labor efficient’ technology.

Because we were also moving to Commercial Off-The Shelf (COTS) based contracting and towards ‘best value’ instead of ‘lowest cost’ pricing, we could justify better value for a higher cost if more was obtained in areas pertinent to the work being done. The real shocker is that even as this was rolling through the government kept the same work length requirements per job, so that no matter how much efficiency you could pack in at the front end in better processing techniques, it was lost to back-end management.

Yes 65% efficiency was the best government could do at the federal level. Average was 55%. Lowest sat in HHS and a few other nether realms at 35%-45%, and they were far behind on getting the efficiency calculations done years after the mandate had been put in place… so you couldn’t trust the numbers.

Your local DMV is likely to be splendid compared to that.

You should be so lucky that you will get DMV level attention and service.

Anyone who tries to tell you that government will do a job even passably well compared to private sector standards clearly has not served inside the federal government and looked at performance standards. That 15% efficiency delta is a huge difference in terms of cost and work hours… and that will be if you are lucky. And it will still only be ‘good enough for government work’, which means rework… more time lost… more hassle… its amazing that a mere 10% of items needing rework can bog down an entire system’s jobs no end and it is usually prioritized to the end of the line meaning ‘new work’ comes first as it pays. Even putting in harsh deductions and penalties doesn’t change that and some contractors were more than willing to eat losses on that fraction so long as they had steady payment from new work coming in.

Take a look at the Federal Acquisition Regulations on what you have to go through for something like this.

I dare you.

I double dare you.

And if you want to learn it prepare to spend a year or two and then get the monthly updates to the FAR. You need to learn those, too.

Cute pic of the coke-head in chief and the kids…just wonder why the secret service shaved down Chewbacca and stuffed him in that green dress.

Alden Pyle on March 30, 2009 at 2:54 PM

Now that’s a nasty image! But look at those biceps…

For months I’ve heard bloggers, pundits and message board types put forward the idea that bankruptcy is the best course for GM.
Dreadnought on March 30, 2009 at 12:59 PM

I don’t know, nor much care, but it would have been the best course for America,

MB4 on March 30, 2009 at 1:07 PM

Be careful what you wish for…..

Coincidentally I’ve noticed that most of these same people have an amazingly visceral hatred of GM (for reasons I don’t always understand)

Dreadnought on March 30, 2009 at 12:59 PM

You never had my 68 Camero, the super lemon from the deepest pits of Hell.

MB4 on March 30, 2009 at 1:07 PM

Yeah and my Uncle’s 1970 2 cylinder Honda (one of the first sold in the USA) used to fry its valves at 5,000 mile intervals. So I guess no one should buy a Honda either. Is either one of those experiences really relevant today?

I notice a lot of people are assuming that the government is going to take over warranty service on GM vehicles tomorrow-in fact the whole thing only kicks in if the company goes under.

Look I don’t think it’s a great idea either, but I haven’t seen any better ideas come from anyone on this board or elsewhere-other than the rather nihilistic idea of flushing GM down the toilet-which is going to leave the US government legally liable for BILLIONS of dollars of pensions that will have to be paid for through the PBGC – which means everybody’s premiums will go up. A further drag on the economy, and guess who effectively pays for that? There ain’t no free lunch either way.

If GM goes down the effects ripple through the economy-for example, dealerships go under that presently pay a large chunk of many localities sales taxes, taxes that pay for police, fire protection, roads, etc. etc. Yes, eventually other dealerships expand or open to supply vehicles to the public, but that takes time and in the meantime you have a financial crisis in many municipalities.

If you want something to complain about, I would suggest a better target would be the “Cash for Clunkers” legislation proposed by Chuckie Schumer. The idea here is to give people cash vouchers to turn in their old “gas guzzling” vehicles in order to buy new, more fuel efficient cars.

Of course, if you already own a more fuel efficient car you get nothing. Furthermore, this subsidy will act on the market to raise prices on those more fuel efficient cars, making them more expensive for the rest of us. So, like with the mortgage bailout, irresponsible behavior gets rewarded at the expense of those who acted more responsibly.

Wait… I meant dystopia. I knew it was one of those opias.

there seem to be some people who think they will never buy a GM car again. Ha. I think this version of the Stim bill already has $$ for 600,000 cars (as a recall), so you will be buying a GM car soon. Sorry.

r keller on March 30, 2009 at 5:33 PM

I haven’t watched a baseball game since Pete Rose was barred for life from the Hall of Fame.

I haven’t watched CNN since they aired the sniper killing an American solider in the turret of his HMMVV.

So, though I can’t speak for the other people on this blog, I can guarantee I will never buy another GM product. My principals are worth a little more than the money The One is going to offer.

Regards

Ex-GM CEO Blames Bush
Fashion World Goes GaGa over Michelle Obama
Dodd Blames Bush for Bonus Wording Put into Stimulus
Barack Hits a Homer in his Late Night Interview
Pelosi/Reid Blame Bush for Flooding in Minnesota Say More Should have been done to stop global warming

And UN scientists and humanitarians have definitively discovered the cause of all ills in the world are Bush’s fault, even the ones that were there before he was President, cuz it pre-de-ordained…or something.

Besides, you get this free tire guage…

Sonosam on March 30, 2009 at 5:56 PM

And it’s going to be made of pressed hemp and tofu!!

Sorry, but I’ll never buy an American car.

Right now I want to look through everything I own and make sure that it wasn’t built by a union.

John_Locke on March 30, 2009

Yep. Buy used or buy foreign.
Listen,,, I have to ask,,, where are the men??? You know? Men??
Do these CEO’s and other workers have no other choice but to lay down and just hand over their corporations to Obama???
I would think some of them might want to take out some adds in the paper,, maybe make a commercial or two,, refuse to cooperate with the Nazis!
Never in my freaking wildest dreams would I have thought I would ever live to see the freaking government just take over something like GM!! Just take it over!! And none of these CEO’s have the guts to put up a little fight??? None of them???
Everyone is just going to give the man child Obama whatever he wants???? What is next???
The freaking stinking congress is in the process of creating a national security force complete with uniforms and possible mandated service!!!! They are seizing private businesses,, taking over everything they think they can take over,, pushing our nation into historical new debts,,
this is insane!!! Absolutely freaking insane!!!

Besides, you get this free tire guage…

” workers transporter ”

This has been a funny day

My transmission is slipping and its only 5…ring….

government agent : excuse me,…

dmv, medicalcenter, car company and daycare, how can i help you?

OK?

You have an appointment for your yearly check up 13 months from tomorrow, bye.

Im afraid thats an obama ” bumper or bumper warranty “, sorry…

Seriously, comedians say they dont have material for this fool?

This guy is comedy gold.

On another note, cant say I remember a president guaranteeing cars…

WOW!!!

Howdy folks! It’s me Bargainin’ Barry O’bama and I got lots of inventory down here! I’m wheelin’, I’m dealin’ and I’ll get you into a brand new car whether you can afford it or not. No money to put down? No Problem! Can’t afford that thar warranty? No problem!

And if you buy at our Super Sunday Sales Event I’ll throw in a mortgage principle reduction! We’ve partnered with BBofA (Barack’s Bank of America) to get you a deal by covering the cost with money from your neighbor! Ya know cuz we know you need it more!

Not only that, but if you upgrade the purchase of your new GM car with GS-GPS Everywhere Tracking System (Gov’t Spy-Global Positioning System) so you can find the nearest juice bar (and I can track your every move) I’ll throw in healthcare coverage for you and the whole family! FREE! That’s right it covers you, your spouse, your children, their cousins, your aunt, your uncle and even your dog (cuz pets are human too)! ALL FREE ALL THE TIME!! And the best part is you don’t even have to be an American citizen!

And, if you can’t make on Super Sunday, I’ll be having another Summer Sales Bonanza with all this AND I’ll eliminate your credit card debt and student loans!! FREE!! Cuz I know there’s a bunch of y’all that are in too deep and how can you buy one of my cars if your debt is too BIG. Ole Bargainin’ Barry is gonna take care of you!

So I’ll see you Soon! and don’t forget Vote Democrat(socialist)! The FREE Party! Ya know cuz America is the land of the FREE, it’s all Free all the time!!! FREE FREE FREE!!! Say it with me FREE FREE FREE!!! Aint Freedom Grand??!!

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