 | Learning from losers: the benefits of studying worst practices 26-03-2008 Everyone is interested in best practices and indeed, much can be learned from
them. However, in their article 'learning from losers', Katherine Barrett and
Richard Greene, make a case for the establishment of a centre to study worst
practice. "There are a ton of organizations promulgating best practices, and
that's a worthwhile enterprise. But as far as we can see, states, counties and
cities have at least as much to learn from the efforts that fail, flop or
fizzle."
In their article, the authors state that when (local) governments study their
shortcomings, better policy often follows. Nonetheless, it remains difficult to
find out the reasons why certain measures or policies fail. This is why
institutions often prefer to focus on successes. On top of that, policy makers
and managers rather do not show that they have failed to deliver positive
outcomes. At the same time, the press might be more inclined to look for failed
cases, because these make good headlines. However, this approach by the press
may discourage experimentation by (local)governments.
Source:
Governing.com
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