Power to the Public

The Promise of Public Interest Technology

By: Tara Dawson McGuinness, Hana Schank

Narrated by: Kirsten Potter

As the speed and complexity of the world increases, governments and nonprofit organizations need new ways to effectively tackle the critical challenges of our time-from pandemics and global warming to social media warfare. In Power to the Public, Tara Dawson McGuinness and Hana Schank describe a revolutionary new approach - public interest technology - that has the potential to transform the way governments and nonprofits around the world solve problems. Through inspiring stories about successful projects ranging from a texting service for teenagers in crisis to a streamlined foster care system, the authors show how public interest technology can make the delivery of services to the public more effective and efficient.

At its heart, public interest technology means putting users at the center of the policymaking process, using data and metrics in a smart way, and running small experiments and pilot programs before scaling up. And while this approach may well involve the innovative use of digital technology, technology alone is no panacea - and some of the best solutions may even be decidedly low-tech.

Clear-eyed yet profoundly optimistic, Power to the Public presents a powerful blueprint for how government and nonprofits can help solve society's most serious problems.

©2021 Princeton University Press (P)2021 Tantor

Making data-driven decisions = key

Good summary read like of how government can use data in decision-making and process improvement. Key is making process better must happen before technology is applied to “problem.”

data delivered with great design

great book in the hcd series I've been working through. some overlapping elements but really good thoughts on data, design and delivery portion of public interest technology. has some good examples and details how each first. as a 20 government empire, i should have stopped at the end. the afterward portion of book became a sales pitch for students into the various programs out there. little too late for that.

Great book for anyone working in this field

Packed full of relevant and helpful info for those working in or wanting to work in this field.

Technology from the ground up

Technology that affects people must start with the people. Desk work is not enough. meet the people and involve them in any process affecting their lives. Or else, technology alone fails.

Public Interest Technology is the future!

This book hyped me up! I loved reading about the successes and potential in the field of Public Interest Technology.