ABSTRACT
Abstract “If we got a man on the moon, we can do this.” In fact, the author, who in the early part of his career worked on the Apollo mission, heard exactly that at the end of his career, as a complaint from a CMS customer. We agree with that sentiment; however, there are major differences today. There is actually a book, published in 2009, titled “If We Can Put A Man on the Moon…Getting Big Things Done in Government,” authored by Eggers and O’Leary; that book defines some sound principles represented here with concepts based on Business Transformation and large IT projects. One of the simple techniques that the Apollo mission employed was to have each launch have its own focus and its own recognition and achievement awards. We need to take a similar approach to each incremental commitment given a mission focus thematic tag-line and to recognize the accomplishments of that mission with an achievement award and thank you party. People work not only for pay, but also for a feeling of accomplishment.
