Programs

Evaluate

Assessments

We perform independent program evaluations, organizational reviews, readiness assessments, risk assessments, and needs assessments. Our assessments provide an understanding of root causes, strengths, barriers, and a realistic path forward to meet a specific challenge or to begin planning for a specific initiative. Needs assessments and feasibility studies to support alternative comparisons are especially useful when your path forward is unclear.

Evaluation

We use industry-leading data tools to give accurate insight into government agencies and their programs. We collect, clean, secure, and manage data from multiple sources to create real-time data dashboards. Effective and predictive analytics results in key performance indicators and metrics that allow you to make informed decisions for your organization.

Research

To support your decision making, we augment our existing inventories and methodologies. We conduct research to address your priorities. Our nationwide work brings a wide range of best practices to our research efforts. We provide alternatives and options to help you make decisions that are based on timely, strategic, and relevant information.

Data Analytics

We use industry-leading data tools and techniques to give accurate and predictive insight into projects. We collect, clean, secure, and manage data on program effectiveness, project management performance, implementation readiness, software quality, performance baselines, improvements resulting from project implementation, and more. We also perform data analytics across portfolios of projects to identify organizational and vendor trends and provide actionable awareness of issues. And most importantly, we use this data to make better investments in the program and individual outcomes.

Procure

Alternatives Analysis and Procurement Strategy Development

An alternatives analysis starts with defensible information regarding costs, associated timelines, and resources needed to achieve your objectives. Our proprietary approach consists of a facilitated process that builds consensus, improves buy-in, and results in clear recommendations. The goal is to obtain a quantifiable score that objectively supports the funding and realization of your project while considering the multiple quality factors.

Requirements Development

We believe more than half of system errors originate in requirements or are present before system design begins. These defects often result from omitted requirements or user misunderstanding. Our consultants combine extensive requirements research, facilitation experience, and documentation expertise to develop accurate, understandable requirements, which results in fewer defects downstream.

State and Federal Funding Requests

We develop the business case or funding request documentation you need for state and federal funding approval. Our consultants understand the program areas and approval requirements in state budgets. We can also assist in drafting grant applications for project or program funding.

Requests for Proposals or Requests for Quotes

You have decided to go outside of your agency to acquire a vendor for an outsourced system, service, or project. This can be an exciting time, but also risky. We write requests for proposals or requests for quotes to meet your needs and ensure bidders understand those needs. We help with vendor identification and communication to generate attention and competition so that you acquire the product that best meets your needs and budget.

Evaluation and Evaluation Strategy

You released a procurement and have all the responses. How do you choose the right vendor? The risks during evaluation and selection can quickly undo even the best procurement plans. We help you avoid the gaming and protests that can result from inadequate evaluation and cost scoring. We have a proven approach that begins with a proposal evaluation plan and includes the development of custom scoring sheets for submitted proposals and oral presentations.

Innovate

Capacity Building

Organizations are increasingly asked to do more with less. We help organizations deal with staffing shortages and decreasing resources by developing and strengthening the skills, instincts, abilities, processes, and resources you have so you can thrive in complex environments. This could include the development of new service models, a reduction in low-value activities, or a return to core mission work.

Implementation Planning and Science

The implementation process itself is critical to ensuring that improvement initiatives are executed with fidelity, that the groundwork and planning to support the initiative are in place, and that the process of implementation occurs at a pace that allows for monitoring and adjustments along the way. We help our clients plan for implementation and execute these plans using the best available evidence in implementation science.

Applicable Training

Training is an iterative process that begins with a needs assessment and development of learning objectives, leading to content delivery and evaluation of the learning transfer. Developing the workforce should go beyond traditional classroom training to focus on the practical application of new information, receipt of feedback, and opportunities to practice new learning until confidence and mastery are sustained. Whether it is an individual tool, a full learning program, or a coaching initiative, Public Knowledge emphasizes these principles to promote learning and skill development. This approach includes the latest research on adult learning, distance learning, and building competency in staff.

Business Process Redesign

Whether you need to improve core business processes or support the implementation of a new system, we help you identify, plan, and implement process improvements and changes. We use a collaborative approach to map your current (as-is) processes, identify an ideal future state for the program’s delivery of products or services (to-be), and complete a gap analysis between the two. A business process redesign effort will reveal the changes needed for the integration of people, processes, systems, or structures, leading to more efficient product or service delivery.

Policy and Regulation Drafting and Analysis

Policy and regulation drafting requires careful research, review, and analysis of federal, state, or agency rules against a research question or new initiative. Our approach to drafting rules, policies, and procedures saves your staff time and helps streamline and clarify existing regulations. We can also train your staff on state and federal requirements or how to draft their own regulations.

Communication

Effective communication underlies everything you do. We have seen projects and initiatives succeed or fail based on the agency’s or program’s communication strategy. We understand how messages flow in public sector organizations, including opportunities and limitations. We develop practical, useful communication plans and help you implement them, whether it be for a short-term project, a system transformation, a program redesign, or a large-scale organizational change.

Learning Services

Education drives progress and growth. PK Learning Services creates custom learning tailored to your organization’s needs to help your team thrive. Our consultive approach to developing training ensures we turn your biggest challenge into an innovative solution. The robust Learning Management Framework we use makes implementing our learning services simple. Every custom eLearning course includes a dedicated Success Manager to track learner progress, real-time reporting, and a user-friendly portal.