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Design Thinking: One Path to Innovation

Design Thinking: One Path to Innovation

This past Tuesday I went to a Meet-Up on Design Thinking to learn about new ways of brainstorming and developing innovative solutions. Design Thinking refers to a set of methods for investigating ill-defined problems, acquiring information, analyzing knowledge, and developing new solutions across a variety of fields. I was impressed by a diverse group of DC executives, managers, designers and go-getters that shared a common interest in exploring how to do things differently. Whether working in government, private sector or non-profit, people get frustrated seeing the same solutions presented over and over. 

Design Thinking and other innovation approaches give you a new way of looking at persistent challenges. It generates new ideas and new perspectives. As we work through challenging homeland security problems, it is clear that innovation and new frameworks are key to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) making real progress on its important missions. I’m excited to bring innovation to the parts of DHS we serve in the coming months.

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Arc Aspicio |

Arc Aspicio enhances the future of our nation by creating bold ideas and bringing them to life. A consulting and solutions company, Arc Aspicio solves problems by applying our integrated capabilities in strategy, design, data, human capital, behavioral science, and technology. The company passionately pursues our vision to be the hub of creativity where people take action to change the world. To do this, employees collaborate with clients and partners to create solutions using a human-centered approach. Innovation is not possible without action. The company focuses on strategy first, then takes a hands-on approach implementing ideas to achieve results. Join Arc Aspicio and our Strategy Innovation Lab (SILab) by creating and sharing ideas to inspire people to change the world. Follow us on Twitter @ArcAspicio @SILabDC and, #welovedogs!

Meet Arc Aspicio  |  View all Insights by Arc Aspicio

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GSA Awards Arc Aspicio OASIS+ WOSB Contract

GSA Awards Arc Aspicio OASIS+ WOSB Contract

Arlington, VA, October 18, 2024 – GSA awarded Arc Aspicio the OASIS+ Woman-owned Small Business (WOSB) Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. A Government-wide contract vehicle, OASIS+ WOSB allows Arc Aspicio to competitively bid on opportunities to provide Federal government agencies with complex non-IT service requirements for the next 10 years, with no ceiling value and no cap on orders. Click to read more.

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Smithsonian Institution Awards Arc Aspicio Consulting Services Contract

Smithsonian Institution Awards Arc Aspicio Consulting Services Contract

Arlington, VA, August 20, 2024 – The Smithsonian Institution selected Arc Aspicio as one of 11 firms on a 10-year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. This contract enables Arc Aspicio to provide the world’s largest museum, education, and research institution with services that support its transformation of learning and discovery – in person and digitally. Click to read more.

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Arc Aspicio Celebrates 20th Anniversary Serving the Government

Arc Aspicio Celebrates 20th Anniversary Serving the Government

Arlington, VA, August 6, 2024 – Arc Aspicio announced its 20 years of service to the Federal government in solving complex challenges as they serve the American public through innovative consulting and professional services. Starting with an intense focus on homeland security, where it supported 154 projects for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its agencies, the company has expanded into justice and law enforcement, museums and education, and serving non-profit organizations. Click to read more.

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Seeing is Believing: Design+Data in Leadership Decision Making

Seeing is Believing: Design+Data in Leadership Decision Making

In an era of data abundance, Federal agencies face the challenge of distilling vast amounts of complex information into actionable insights. To unlock the potential of data to inform strategic decision-making and policy and program implementation, traditional information presentation methods may fall short, occasionally leaving federal leaders without actionable insights.

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SILab
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Equity in Emergency Management: How Behavioral Science Can Help Support Preparedness and Disaster Response

Equity in Emergency Management: How Behavioral Science Can Help Support Preparedness and Disaster Response

In recent years, there have been many challenges driven by climate change that pose significant threats to our nation’s safety and security. More frequent and severe weather events continue to devastate communities around the world, even making some places uninhabitable.

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Innovation and Ideation for Success: Innovation Labs

Innovation and Ideation for Success: Innovation Labs

Internal Innovation Labs are key to enhancing innovation and collaboration in Federal agencies. They allow employees the opportunity to engage in creative processes, such as brainstorming, design thinking, and creativity, which create solutions and spur innovation. These techniques allow organizations to solve complex problems and implement solutions efficiently.

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Chief Executive Officer Lynn Ann Casey Named Outstanding Leader in 2024 Engage Homeland and National Security Honorees

Chief Executive Officer Lynn Ann Casey Named Outstanding Leader in 2024 Engage Homeland and National Security Honorees

Arlington, VA, November 7, 2023 – OrangeSlices has named Arc Aspicio Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lynn Ann Casey as an outstanding leader in the 2024 Engage Homeland and National Security Honorees. This honor recognizes leaders who are driving real and measurable change in the way government and industry collaborate, sharing their insights and expertise for the betterment of all, and driving forward the key missions of the Federal government. Click to read more.

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Good Data, Bad Data: The Value of Data Quality in Homeland Security

Good Data, Bad Data: The Value of Data Quality in Homeland Security

Homeland Security is a complex mission, one that is both vast in scale and broad in scope, and this creates a large volume of data that can help provide insight into operations and strategic decisions. From disaster preparedness to counterterrorism, Federal employees rely heavily on an abundance of data to assess problems accurately and implement effective solutions.

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Michael Finnegan
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Transforming Government: The Road to Agile and Customer-Centric Modernization

Transforming Government: The Road to Agile and Customer-Centric Modernization

The Federal government has been making significant strides in technology modernization, shifting its focus from addressing only the most critical needs to becoming more agile, customer-centric, and innovative. As government agencies transition from an era dominated by the necessity of migrating their data and applications to cloud-based platforms, mission leaders are now turning their attention to emerging technologies like data visualization, customer experience improvement, low-code software tools, and artificial intelligence (AI).

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Arc Aspicio Reappraised at CMMI-Services Maturity Level 3

Arc Aspicio Reappraised at CMMI-Services Maturity Level 3

Arc Aspicio achieved its second Capability Maturity Model Integration Services (CMMI-SVC) Level 3 Certification on September 29, 2023. CMMI is a Model that is used to guide process improvement across projects, divisions, and organizations. Arc Aspicio uses CMMI, a process level improvement training and appraisal program recognized for Government and commercial clients, as an indicator of high-quality performance.

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The Link Between Innovation and Collaboration

The Link Between Innovation and Collaboration

Intentional collaboration can be the difference between simply completing a task and using innovative ideas to drive long-lasting change. When people come together to share their insights and perspectives, Government agencies can thrive and instill a culture where leaders engage with and listen to employees. In turn, these environments lead to more commitment from employees, as well as better Government agency relationships that help promote working towards strong solutions.

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SILab
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Design Thinking Techniques to Enhance the Online Meeting Experience

Design Thinking Techniques to Enhance the Online Meeting Experience

According to the Harvard Business Review, the average worker has attended 13.5% more meetings since the COVID-19 pandemic, with many held online. Given the Federal government’s partial shift to remote work when feasible, it is increasingly important to consider how teams can enhance the effectiveness and engagement of online meetings.

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Sophia Vener
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From Resistance to Acceptance: All Management is Change Management

From Resistance to Acceptance: All Management is Change Management

Effectively navigating organizational changes within Federal agencies requires understanding the unique dynamics of the Federal context, strong leadership communication, culture development and stakeholder engagement and collaboration. Continuous evaluation and proactive management of resistance to change is important.

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