Member Governments Eligible to Become Innovation Labs
Background
PTI member governments are invited to apply for recognition as an Innovation Lab, a mark of excellence for the proven, successful deployment of a technology program, practice or strategy.
How is the Innovation Lab program different from PTI’s Solutions Awards?
The Innovation Lab program is different from the annual Solutions Awards because the Lab designation recognizes programs that are broad and comprehensive in scope and requires the applicant to submit a publication-quality case study.
The Solutions Awards recognize a targeted solution, implemented to address a specific problem or need. To quote Alan Shark, Executive Director of PTI, “Innovation Lab recognition is like a Solutions Award on steroids!”
By recognizing innovative governments and documenting program results, other local governments can benefit from the experiences of these early adopters by applying the lessons learned within their own organizations.
Many of our Solutions Awards winners should apply for recognition as an Innovation Lab. We encourage you to look at your Solutions submissions to see which one merits recognition as an Innovation Lab.
A PTI member government may apply for Innovation Lab recognition at any time throughout the year. If awarded, the recognition is valid for 24 months.
To apply, submit an application as described below, and include a $125.00 fee. The submission must be made by the city/county manager, assistant city/county manager, department head or equivalent official in your jurisdiction.
Required Qualifications & Submission
The applicant for Innovation Lab recognition:
- Must be a PTI member;
- Has developed or implemented an innovative technology program or practice, and has specifically applied for recognition as an Innovation Lab; and
- Has documented its work in a publication-quality case study (between 6 and 12 pages) that PTI will distribute.
Your case study should explain the “why?” of the project or technology, how it was implemented (to include how you worked with other departments, agencies and vendors) and obstacles - technological, political, organizational - you had to overcome.
Describe the significance of the project. Explain how it has improved the operation or services of government, ROI or other evaluative measures you utilized, and suggest how other local governments could benefit from following your lead.
A panel of officials representing the PTI membership and industry partners will review submissions for recognition as an Innovation Lab. A member government selected as a PTI Innovation Lab exhibits the PTI Innovation Lab logo (shown at top) on its website and other materials.
PTI will feature the selected jurisdiction on the PTI website, in the PTI Technology Matters newsletter, and will create a webinar specifically around the Lab project. The jurisdiction will receive a certificate and lapel pins for employees who contributed to the project.
Additional helpful background is at this link.
If named an Innovation Lab, your government agrees to share documentation/information on your program with other local governments.
Submit your application and case study electronically in a Microsoft Word (.DOC/.DOCX) or plain-text (.TXT) file to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), 202-626-2456 or mail a printed copy with your check made payable to PTI:
Public Technology Institute
Attention: Innovation Lab Program, Dept. W
1301 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 830
Washington, DC 20004
05-05-2010