Co-creating Solutions with Residents, Job Seekers, Recruiters and HR Managers
 Figure 1 Design and Development Phase InfoGraph
The i-team continues to forge a path forward on the road to improving recruitment and hiring across the District government. As it propels forward, the i-team has seamlessly transitioned from the idea generation phase to the problem definition phase and is now fully immersed in the design and development phase of the hiring project.
During the design and development phase, the i-team refines selected concepts into tangible, practical solutions through meticulous research, prototyping, testing, and iterative refinement. This transformative phase bridges the gap between abstract notions and actionable prototypes or strategies, which are subject to evaluation and enhancement based on valuable feedback. Iterative development ensures the innovation's efficacy and feasibility are maximized.
Over the months of July and August, the i-team conducted dynamic ideation sessions involving residents, job seekers, District government recruiters, HR managers, and public administrators. These interactive sessions occurred both in person at District agencies and virtually, as well as at public libraries in Shaw and Anacostia. Collaborating across 6 dedicated sessions, a remarkable 138 distinct ideas emerged. Among these, 50 ideas stood out at the forefront, endorsed by participants for the i-team to pursue. Evaluation criteria encompassed potential impact, timeline, and cost considerations.
 Figure 2. Job seekers at Anacostia Public Library Detail Ideas July 2023
 Figure 3 Residents collaborate to develop ideas for improving hiring at Anacostia Public Library July 2023
Presently, the i-team is in the process of crafting prototypes for the top-ranked concepts. These prototypes will undergo rigorous testing throughout September, inviting input from job seekers, residents, recruiters, HR managers, and public administrators. Testing will occur at job centers, virtually, and at District agencies. Stakeholders will engage, experience, and provide invaluable feedback, ensuring that the prototypes align with their real-world needs.
Inclusive innovation lies at the heart of the i-team’s approach.
 Figure 4 Residents and job seekers design solutions for improving hiring at Shaw Public Library July 2023
As the i-team continues its journey, the iterative processes of prototyping and piloting will refine concepts, assessing their feasibility and impact. This pivotal stage includes resource allocation, timeline establishment, and the definition of measurable objectives. Successful designs will evolve into actionable, strategic plans, laying the groundwork for the subsequent phases of public sector innovation implementation.
 Figure 5 Public administrators from District government agencies provide their insights for improving hiring July 2023
 Figure 6 (Left to Right) The i-team’s MBSYEP interns De'Marcus Rudd, Nevaeh Rowe and Matt Gerken during resume writing session.
Matt Gerken is D.C.’s innovation team’s accomplished Senior Data Scientist whose expertise lies in research and data analysis. Matt plays a vital role in i-team projects by identifying, collecting, organizing, analyzing, and presenting relevant data. He skillfully combines quantitative indicators with qualitative findings and hypotheses to drive insightful conclusions for the i-team's projects. Matt excels in developing metrics and measurement systems that effectively gauge the impact of various initiatives.
One of Matt's key strengths is his ability to create compelling and intuitive data visualizations, making complex topics and concepts easily comprehensible for stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
Before joining the innovation team, Matt served as a Research Associate at the Urban Institute, a reputable nonprofit research organization based in Washington, D.C. During his tenure, he focused on critical areas such as housing instability, housing assistance, homelessness, and community development. Matt actively contributed to mixed-methods, formative, and randomized controlled trial evaluations. Additionally, he leveraged behavioral science principles to enhance program delivery, demonstrating his dedication to creating effective solutions.
As a member of the Homelessness Practice Area at Urban, Matt made significant contributions to the fight against housing instability and homelessness. His involvement in the use of Urban's Emergency Rental Assistance Priority Index to identify vulnerable neighborhoods during the COVID-19 pandemic showcased his commitment to an equitable response.
Matt holds an undergraduate degree in mathematics and nonprofit administration from Stetson University, reflecting his passion for both analytical and social impact pursuits. He also earned an MPP from Duke University, solidifying his credentials as a skilled policy professional.
With Matt's wealth of expertise and dedication to making a positive impact on society, he continues to be a driving force behind our i-team's progress.
Data's pivotal role in propelling innovation within the public sector stems from key reasons:
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Informed Decision-Making: Data offers insights that guide evidence-based decisions, enabling policymakers to choose well-founded options over intuition or anecdotal sources.
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Identifying Trends: Data analysis unveils emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities, empowering governments to proactively address issues and seize advantages.
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Enhancing Efficiency: Data pinpoints process inefficiencies, aiding in resource optimization, streamlined operations, and effective service delivery.
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Evidence-Based Policies: Data-driven choices yield targeted, effective policies with higher chances of positive outcomes.
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Understanding Residents: Data comprehension aids in tailoring services and policies to diverse resident needs and preferences.
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Measuring Impact: Data evaluation gauges program effectiveness, allowing for adjustments and improvements.
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Fostering Innovation: Data guides innovation priorities and resource allocation for maximum impact.
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Accountability and Transparency: Data availability fosters trust, as residents can assess government performance.
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Evidence-Based Experiments: Data-backed experiments and pilots test ideas before broader implementation.
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Collaboration and Engagement: Data-driven approaches encourage collaboration, leading to comprehensive solutions through shared insights.
In summary, data-driven decision-making empowers efficient and effective public sector innovation, enhancing resident lives and addressing complex challenges.
 Figure 7 (Left to Right) i-team's Matt Gerken, Lindsay Quarles and Jenny Kessler review District government hiring data.
 Ro Stephenson, Artist in Residence with the i-team, recently painted a 20 by 15-foot mural at AYÉYA's craft facility in Accra, Ghana. AYÉYA is a fair-trade company supporting Ghanaian women artisans, empowering them as entrepreneurs and connecting them with U.S. customers. The mural, created with locally sourced Montana brand paint, embodies the strength of these women and their journey with AYÉYA.
Ro's role as an Artist in Residence is to bridge art, innovation, and community, fostering accessibility and engagement. Through exhibits, performances, and cultural interactions, Ro connects residents to these aspects. He crafts the narrative of D.C.'s i-team work to ensure community understanding.
Ro, a mechanical engineer, and immersive visual storyteller, blends his talents to create engaging works. His art reflects his exploration of identity, connecting with people and places. He believes art communicates powerfully, aiming to engage diverse community members and maximize positive influence. Ro's focus centers on the interplay between storytelling and the creative journey itself.
The District government’s i-team joined a gathering of international public administrators in Baltimore, in late August, for a two-day comprehensive training program organized by the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University. The event, titled Digital i-Teams Training, aimed to equip teams from various cities with the tools and encourage the critical-thinking needed to drive digital innovation and transformation within communities.
 Figure 8 BCPI Advisor Chaeny Emanavin (Left) problem solves with D.C. i-team Peter Varley, Jenny Kessler and Matt Gerken
The event featured a series of presentations and activities aimed at enhancing the participants' understanding of digital transformation, innovation strategy, and effective service design.
The digital i-teams training event successfully fostered a sense of collaboration, innovation, and shared purpose among the participating city teams.
As the world continues to evolve and adapt to new challenges, the Digital i-teams training stands as a testament to the power of collaborative efforts and innovative thinking in shaping the future of metropolitan environments.
 Figure 9 D.C. i-team members engage during design collaboration session
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