The Rise of Agency Innovation Labs

The White House wants more federal agencies to tap into the creative ideas floating around in their employees’ heads by launching innovation labs, according to a newly released administration strategy for boosting U.S. innovation.

In recent years, an increasing number of agencies have jumped on the innovation lab bandwagon. In 2010, the Department of Veterans Affairs launched its Center for Innovation. The Office of Personnel Management followed suit in 2012, building a $1.1 million innovation-focused office in the basement of the agency’s headquarters. Last year, the U.S. Agency for International Development launched a Global Development Lab.

The White House innovation report also name-checks the Department of Health and Human Services’ IDEA Lab and the National Security Agency’s “Incubation Cell.”

Continue reading at http://www.nextgov.com/cio-briefing/2015/10/rise-agency-innovation-lab/123041/?oref=govexec_today_nl.