[Massplanners] Looking for books on managing complexity besides the Checklist Manifesto

[Nathan Chung]

Hi all,
I am wondering if anyone can recommend books on managing complexity and
streamlining processes besides the excellent Checklist Manifesto. I am a
relatively new grants admin, specifically HUD CDBG, at a municipal planning
office.

I am looking at processes around grants applications, permits, and
contracts for construction and public services. There are a lot
of requirements and guidelines scattered at the federal, state, and local
level that are not very clear sometimes. I have to jump around to figure
out what they require. In my ideal world, I would like things to be a
straightforward standardized checklist, but I am yet to see one.

*My specific questions are:*
1. When it comes to applications, permit and contract bid forms, is there a
case for standardization and simplification at the state level? Has it been
done? Or maybe it is impossible in MA since it is a home rule state.
2. Could you recommend a book.that talks about managing complexity,
especially around government processes? Thank you.

Nathan Chung, Grants Administrator
Office of Planning & Sustainability for the City of Northampton
nchung at northamptonma.gov; (413) 587-1262
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