Problem 1. Imagine you considered public administration in the traditional managerial approach, and as a result, you believed that stream-lined, efficient, and cost-effective processes were the best way to serve the needs of the public. However, your colleague subscribes to the political approach to public administration, and places significant value on political responsiveness and electoral accountability. Do you believe that you could work together to create a budget document for your department that meets the needs of the public and your different viewpoints? If so, how? If not, why not?
Problem 2. The New Public Management focuses on program performance and outcomes instead of budgetary inputs. Given the complexity of some public programs (homeless prevention, subsidized housing, environmental protection, etc), what challenges do you see for policy analysts to determine whether or not the programs are meeting the goals defined in their budgets?