Ann Lewis
@ann-lewis.bsky.social
Tech exec, former TTS Director at GSA, former @moveon.org CTO, @scsatcmu.bsky.social grad, bio/pics: https://annlewis.tech/ (Personal account)
Why do too many federal tech projects end in bloated contracts and tools no one wants to use? Here's how product managers + product operating models can help agencies build services that actually work. cc @niskanencenter.bsky.social @federalnewsnetwork.com
open.spotify.com/episode/2AUa...
open.spotify.com/episode/2AUa...
The one overlooked role that could keep agencies from missing the mark in tech deployments
open.spotify.com
September 10, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Why do too many federal tech projects end in bloated contracts and tools no one wants to use? Here's how product managers + product operating models can help agencies build services that actually work. cc @niskanencenter.bsky.social @federalnewsnetwork.com
open.spotify.com/episode/2AUa...
open.spotify.com/episode/2AUa...
It's hard to overstate how serious these allegations are, but here's an attempt 🧵
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/u...
DOGE Put Critical Social Security Data at Risk, Whistle-Blower Says
www.nytimes.com
August 30, 2025 at 1:07 PM
It's hard to overstate how serious these allegations are, but here's an attempt 🧵
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/u...
In my new piece with @niskanencenter.bsky.social, I explore how govt structures shape the systems they deliver. If we want govt to work better for the people it serves, we need to intentionally align organizational design with the outcomes we care about.
www.niskanencenter.org/conways-law-...
www.niskanencenter.org/conways-law-...
Conway’s Law at Government Scale - Niskanen Center
When government agencies are siloed, or poorly coordinated, the services they deliver carry the same flaws.
www.niskanencenter.org
August 21, 2025 at 3:45 PM
In my new piece with @niskanencenter.bsky.social, I explore how govt structures shape the systems they deliver. If we want govt to work better for the people it serves, we need to intentionally align organizational design with the outcomes we care about.
www.niskanencenter.org/conways-law-...
www.niskanencenter.org/conways-law-...
Launching the Outcome-Based Legislation Lab with @niskanencenter.bsky.social : a new, nonpartisan effort to help Congress write laws that actually work. We’re running retrospectives, capturing lessons, and building a library of outcome-focused legislative examples. Join us: forms.gle/bg9cnNbxJzsA...
Interest Form: Outcome-Based Legislation Lab Pilot
We’re kicking off a pilot to build an Outcome-Based Legislation Lab that will help Congress write laws that focus on impact, not just compliance. Too often, prescriptive laws end up locking agencies i...
forms.gle
August 4, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Launching the Outcome-Based Legislation Lab with @niskanencenter.bsky.social : a new, nonpartisan effort to help Congress write laws that actually work. We’re running retrospectives, capturing lessons, and building a library of outcome-focused legislative examples. Join us: forms.gle/bg9cnNbxJzsA...
Reposted by Ann Lewis
Federal tech projects often measure success by compliance — not whether the tech actually works for the public.
The private sector utilizes product managers to build tech that works. Government agencies should do the same.
The private sector utilizes product managers to build tech that works. Government agencies should do the same.
From compliance to delivery: Why agencies need product managers - Niskanen Center
To improve public service delivery, the federal government should adopt a Product Operating Model and build product management capacity across agencies.
www.niskanencenter.org
July 28, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Federal tech projects often measure success by compliance — not whether the tech actually works for the public.
The private sector utilizes product managers to build tech that works. Government agencies should do the same.
The private sector utilizes product managers to build tech that works. Government agencies should do the same.
Too often, govt measures success by compliance, not outcomes. Public services aren’t delivered until they work for people. In my new @niskanencenter.bsky.social piece, I argue we need more product managers in govt to move from outputs to impact.
www.niskanencenter.org/from-complia...
www.niskanencenter.org/from-complia...
From compliance to delivery: Why agencies need product managers - Niskanen Center
To improve public service delivery, the federal government should adopt a Product Operating Model and build product management capacity across agencies.
www.niskanencenter.org
July 25, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Too often, govt measures success by compliance, not outcomes. Public services aren’t delivered until they work for people. In my new @niskanencenter.bsky.social piece, I argue we need more product managers in govt to move from outputs to impact.
www.niskanencenter.org/from-complia...
www.niskanencenter.org/from-complia...
Government can deliver better digital services—but only if it adopts the right operating model. Our new piece at @niskanencenter.bsky.social with @pahlkadot.bsky.social explains why moving from projects to products is the path to services that actually work. www.niskanencenter.org/the-product-...
by Ann Lewis Ann Lewis
The government could replicate some private sector practices that have provided results like digitizing more services.
www.niskanencenter.org
July 10, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Government can deliver better digital services—but only if it adopts the right operating model. Our new piece at @niskanencenter.bsky.social with @pahlkadot.bsky.social explains why moving from projects to products is the path to services that actually work. www.niskanencenter.org/the-product-...
Reposted by Ann Lewis
Big thanks to @fedscoop.bsky.social's @madialder.bsky.social, @ann-lewis.bsky.social, Alex Mechanick, and Gabe Menchaca
for unpacking DOGE’s disruption & what’s next after Elon.
Even amid policy whiplash, there's still room for pragmatic, bipartisan reform to rebuild state capacity.
for unpacking DOGE’s disruption & what’s next after Elon.
Even amid policy whiplash, there's still room for pragmatic, bipartisan reform to rebuild state capacity.
July 10, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Big thanks to @fedscoop.bsky.social's @madialder.bsky.social, @ann-lewis.bsky.social, Alex Mechanick, and Gabe Menchaca
for unpacking DOGE’s disruption & what’s next after Elon.
Even amid policy whiplash, there's still room for pragmatic, bipartisan reform to rebuild state capacity.
for unpacking DOGE’s disruption & what’s next after Elon.
Even amid policy whiplash, there's still room for pragmatic, bipartisan reform to rebuild state capacity.
This is a huge deal, and proud to have supported this effort.
📣A VICTORY FOR PERSONAL PRIVACY!📣
In our case against the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and DOGE, A NY federal district court judge has granted a preliminary injunction. (1/6)
In our case against the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and DOGE, A NY federal district court judge has granted a preliminary injunction. (1/6)
Privacy Victory! Judge Grants Preliminary Injunction in OPM/DOGE Lawsuit
NEW YORK–In a victory for personal privacy, a New York federal district court judge today granted a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) disc...
www.eff.org
June 9, 2025 at 8:18 PM
This is a huge deal, and proud to have supported this effort.
@lukef.bsky.social and Julie Brinn Siegel sound an important alarm - new Medicaid changes will force eligible Americans who need Medicaid the most to file piles of new paperwork and will increase administrative burden on already overworked, understaffed Medicaid agencies.
Today in the @missouriindependent.com
I shared how new Medicaid red tape imposed by Republicans will kick over 10 million people off their healthcare, including more than 180,000 people in Missouri ‼️
missouriindependent.com/2025/06/06/r...
I shared how new Medicaid red tape imposed by Republicans will kick over 10 million people off their healthcare, including more than 180,000 people in Missouri ‼️
missouriindependent.com/2025/06/06/r...
Republicans' new Medicaid red tape will push Missouri to the brink and block healthcare for millions • Missouri Independent
The budget bill passed by the U.S. House will kick millions of people off of Medicaid by piling on new red tape.
missouriindependent.com
June 6, 2025 at 2:05 PM
@lukef.bsky.social and Julie Brinn Siegel sound an important alarm - new Medicaid changes will force eligible Americans who need Medicaid the most to file piles of new paperwork and will increase administrative burden on already overworked, understaffed Medicaid agencies.
We hereby promise not to throw tantrums on a global stage over not being able to fully act on corporate conflicts of interest.
The federal government has been exponentially weakened and thrown into chaos over...this? It's time to elect more women.
June 5, 2025 at 8:43 PM
We hereby promise not to throw tantrums on a global stage over not being able to fully act on corporate conflicts of interest.
Reposted by Ann Lewis
New report, with case studies, from @ann-lewis.bsky.social: www.niskanencenter.org/how-to-save-...
How to save a billion dollars - Niskanen Center
Every government technology leader knows a story about a project that accidentally wasted a billion dollars. The details vary, but the arc is familiar.
www.niskanencenter.org
May 1, 2025 at 3:08 PM
New report, with case studies, from @ann-lewis.bsky.social: www.niskanencenter.org/how-to-save-...
Reposted by Ann Lewis
"The solution isn’t more pressure, more budget, firing people, or indiscriminate contract cancellations."
The ~Annifesto~ of former GSA tech leader Ann Lewis. Explains how to actually do what DOGE pretends to do.
www.niskanencenter.org/how-to-save-...
The ~Annifesto~ of former GSA tech leader Ann Lewis. Explains how to actually do what DOGE pretends to do.
www.niskanencenter.org/how-to-save-...
How to save a billion dollars - Niskanen Center
Every government technology leader knows a story about a project that accidentally wasted a billion dollars. The details vary, but the arc is familiar.
www.niskanencenter.org
April 30, 2025 at 6:44 PM
"The solution isn’t more pressure, more budget, firing people, or indiscriminate contract cancellations."
The ~Annifesto~ of former GSA tech leader Ann Lewis. Explains how to actually do what DOGE pretends to do.
www.niskanencenter.org/how-to-save-...
The ~Annifesto~ of former GSA tech leader Ann Lewis. Explains how to actually do what DOGE pretends to do.
www.niskanencenter.org/how-to-save-...
Every government technology leader knows a story about a project that accidentally wasted a billion dollars. Here's my take on why this keeps happening, and how we can fix it. www.niskanencenter.org/how-to-save-... @niskanencenter.bsky.social
How to save a billion dollars - Niskanen Center
Every government technology leader knows a story about a project that accidentally wasted a billion dollars. The details vary, but the arc is familiar.
www.niskanencenter.org
April 30, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Every government technology leader knows a story about a project that accidentally wasted a billion dollars. Here's my take on why this keeps happening, and how we can fix it. www.niskanencenter.org/how-to-save-... @niskanencenter.bsky.social
Thanks for the great GovTech convo @carolinenihill.bsky.social ! We covered everything from modernization best practices to DOGE to the greatest hits of the 90s.
FedScoop reporter @carolinenihill.bsky.social sits down with former GSA TTS director @ann-lewis.bsky.social to talk modernization, workforce cuts, AI and where government goes wrong — and right — with tech reform. youtu.be/V_DgGTYca3g?...
Former GSA TTS director Ann Lewis on Modernization, AI and Government Efficiency
YouTube video by FedScoop
youtu.be
April 23, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Thanks for the great GovTech convo @carolinenihill.bsky.social ! We covered everything from modernization best practices to DOGE to the greatest hits of the 90s.
An important test of Privacy Act protections of Social Security Administration data, and of proactively guarding privacy, rather than waiting for harm to occur. www.seattletimes.com/nation-world...
Federal judge in Baltimore temporarily limits DOGE access to Social Security data
A federal judge has imposed new restrictions on the Department of Government Efficiency’s access to Social Security systems that hold personal data on millions of Americans.
www.seattletimes.com
April 18, 2025 at 2:12 PM
An important test of Privacy Act protections of Social Security Administration data, and of proactively guarding privacy, rather than waiting for harm to occur. www.seattletimes.com/nation-world...
This is really bad- exfiltrating data related to union organizing, disabling audit logging, attempting to intimidate whistleblowers www.npr.org/2025/04/15/n...
A whistleblower's disclosure details how DOGE may have taken sensitive labor data
A whistleblower tells Congress and NPR that DOGE may have taken sensitive labor data and hid its tracks. "None of that ... information should ever leave the agency," said a former NLRB official.
www.npr.org
April 15, 2025 at 1:56 PM
This is really bad- exfiltrating data related to union organizing, disabling audit logging, attempting to intimidate whistleblowers www.npr.org/2025/04/15/n...
Just published my first article with Niskanen Center- how to use data management best practices from the private sector to combat fraud in government programs. (Spoiler: it's not by giving senior leaders and small strike teams broad access to all datasets) www.niskanencenter.org/how-to-stop-...
Executive orders aren’t enough: How to actually stop waste, fraud, and abuse - Niskanen Center
In practice, enforcing full data access across all systems could prove expensive and may still fall short of its goal to reduce fraud, waste, and abuse.
www.niskanencenter.org
April 9, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Just published my first article with Niskanen Center- how to use data management best practices from the private sector to combat fraud in government programs. (Spoiler: it's not by giving senior leaders and small strike teams broad access to all datasets) www.niskanencenter.org/how-to-stop-...
If you've worked with me, you've most certainly heard me quote @martinfowler.com / Phil Karlton: 'There are only two hard things in Computer Science: cache invalidation and naming things.' Still true. Appreciate his tip of the hat to the former 18F team and their legacy @alt18f.bsky.social
18F was a US government group helping government departments improve their use of technology which got recently wood-chipped. Here's a good overview of their work plus lessons learned: which apply to any large organization.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/lear...
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/lear...
Learning From the Legacy of 18F
Although the government has terminated 18F—the team that modernized government tech—its legacy offers lessons for future digital services.
www.lawfaremedia.org
April 7, 2025 at 9:35 PM
If you've worked with me, you've most certainly heard me quote @martinfowler.com / Phil Karlton: 'There are only two hard things in Computer Science: cache invalidation and naming things.' Still true. Appreciate his tip of the hat to the former 18F team and their legacy @alt18f.bsky.social
Reposted by Ann Lewis
@fedscoop.bsky.social recently quoted @aspenpolicyacademy.bsky.social alum @ann-lewis.bsky.social about the importance of modernizing the Privacy Act to strengthen our nation’s cybersecurity. Read the full article here 👇: fedscoop.com/lori-trahan-...
House Democrat wants to modernize privacy law in light of DOGE data access
Rep. Lori Trahan of Massachusetts is asking the public to respond to a list of questions regarding how the Privacy Act of 1974 could be modernized.
fedscoop.com
April 3, 2025 at 6:57 PM
@fedscoop.bsky.social recently quoted @aspenpolicyacademy.bsky.social alum @ann-lewis.bsky.social about the importance of modernizing the Privacy Act to strengthen our nation’s cybersecurity. Read the full article here 👇: fedscoop.com/lori-trahan-...
Reposted by Ann Lewis
File your taxes using IRS Direct File, a free, secure, accurate and accessible product from the IRS. It is available in 25 states and allows you to import your tax information, like your W-2, directly from the IRS.
Visit DirectFile.irs.gov to check eligibility and learn more.
Visit DirectFile.irs.gov to check eligibility and learn more.
DirectFile.irs.gov
April 1, 2025 at 5:01 PM
File your taxes using IRS Direct File, a free, secure, accurate and accessible product from the IRS. It is available in 25 states and allows you to import your tax information, like your W-2, directly from the IRS.
Visit DirectFile.irs.gov to check eligibility and learn more.
Visit DirectFile.irs.gov to check eligibility and learn more.
Reposted by Ann Lewis
BREAKING: Federal judge blocks Elon Musk, Amy Gleason, and DOGE employees from access to Social Security Administration systems containing personally identifiable information, orders them also to delete any previously obtained non-anonymized SSA information.
March 20, 2025 at 7:55 PM
BREAKING: Federal judge blocks Elon Musk, Amy Gleason, and DOGE employees from access to Social Security Administration systems containing personally identifiable information, orders them also to delete any previously obtained non-anonymized SSA information.
Reposted by Ann Lewis
Not every day that a case you worked on leads both @nytimes.com & @washingtonpost.com!
Musk & DOGE unconstitutionally hijacked & destroyed USAID—our case w/my wonderful colleagues @sddaction.bsky.social & Marziani Stevens Gonzalez proved it
Musk & DOGE unconstitutionally hijacked & destroyed USAID—our case w/my wonderful colleagues @sddaction.bsky.social & Marziani Stevens Gonzalez proved it
March 19, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Not every day that a case you worked on leads both @nytimes.com & @washingtonpost.com!
Musk & DOGE unconstitutionally hijacked & destroyed USAID—our case w/my wonderful colleagues @sddaction.bsky.social & Marziani Stevens Gonzalez proved it
Musk & DOGE unconstitutionally hijacked & destroyed USAID—our case w/my wonderful colleagues @sddaction.bsky.social & Marziani Stevens Gonzalez proved it
Reposted by Ann Lewis
Breaking News: A judge found that Elon Musk’s effort to shutter USAID most likely violated the Constitution, and ordered its operations partially restored.
Elon Musk’s Role in Dismantling USAID Likely Violated Constitution, Judge Finds
It appears to be the first time a federal judge has acted to constrain Elon Musk, a top adviser to President Trump. The judge also ordered agency functions be partially restored, though that relief co...
www.nytimes.com
March 18, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Breaking News: A judge found that Elon Musk’s effort to shutter USAID most likely violated the Constitution, and ordered its operations partially restored.
Reposted by Ann Lewis
WE WON! PI granted in substantial part in our @sddaction.bsky.social appointments clause case re USAID
March 18, 2025 at 6:30 PM
WE WON! PI granted in substantial part in our @sddaction.bsky.social appointments clause case re USAID