--- title: Avoiding the 'Doom Loop' in Agency Consolidation description: "The federal government is once again exploring agency consolidation as part of broader efficiency efforts. But how can agencies be merged or restructured without sacrificing their core missions?\n\nOn Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, Chris Mihm, former Director of Management Issues at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and Loren DeJonge Schulman, former Associate Director for Performance at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), shared their insights on the challenges and opportunities of agency consolidation." image: https://fedgovtoday.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/_3_16_25_doomloop.png --- [![logo-fgt-2026-white](https://fedgovtoday.com/hubfs/logo-fgt-2026-white.svg "logo-fgt-2026-white")](https://fedgovtoday.com/) ![2026-WebsiteHeaderAnimatedGIF](https://fedgovtoday.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2026-WebsiteHeaderAnimatedGIF.gif?width=728&name=2026-WebsiteHeaderAnimatedGIF.gif "2026-WebsiteHeaderAnimatedGIF") - [Home](https://fedgovtoday.com) - [TV Show](https://fedgovtoday.com/tv-show) - [Guests](https://fedgovtoday.com/guests) - [Podcast](https://fedgovtoday.com/podcast) - Topics - **TECH** - [-- AI](https://fedgovtoday.com/topic-index/artificial-intelligence) - [-- Cloud](https://fedgovtoday.com/topic-index/cloud) - [-- Cyber](https://fedgovtoday.com/topic-index/cyber) - [-- Data](https://fedgovtoday.com/topic-index/data) - [-- Emerging Tech](https://fedgovtoday.com/topic-index/emerging-tech) - [-- Modernization](https://fedgovtoday.com/topic-index/modernization) - **DEFENSE** - [-- Defense Tech](https://fedgovtoday.com/topic-index/defense-tech) - [-- Intel / OSINT](https://fedgovtoday.com/topic-index/intel-osint) - [-- Space](https://fedgovtoday.com/topic-index/space) - **WORKFORCE** - [-- Pay & Benefits](https://fedgovtoday.com/topic-index/pay-and-benefits) - [-- HR](https://fedgovtoday.com/topic-index/human-resources) - **ACQUISTION** - [-- Acquisition](https://fedgovtoday.com/topic-index/topic-index-acquisition) - **CITIZEN SERVICES** - [-- CX](https://fedgovtoday.com/topic-index/customer-experience) - [-- Digital Government](https://fedgovtoday.com/topic-index/digital-government) - [Events](https://fedgovtoday.com/events) - [Industry Insight](https://fedgovtoday.com/industry-insights) - Shows - [-- Innovation in Government](https://fedgovtoday.com/innovation-in-government-0) - [-- Modernizing Government](https://fedgovtoday.com/modernizing-government) - [-- Four Futures of AI](https://fedgovtoday.com/four-futures-of-ai) - [-- DefenseTech TV](https://fedgovtoday.com/defensetech-tv) - [-- In Depth](https://fedgovtoday.com/indepth) - [-- The Federal Focus](https://fedgovtoday.com/federalfocus) - [About](https://fedgovtoday.com/about) Search - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. [![logo-fgt-2026-white](https://fedgovtoday.com/hubfs/logo-fgt-2026-white.svg "logo-fgt-2026-white")](https://fedgovtoday.com/) ## [![logo-fgt-2026-white](https://fedgovtoday.com/hubfs/logo-fgt-2026-white.svg "logo-fgt-2026-white")](https://fedgovtoday.com/) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/fedgovtoday/) [Follow us on Twitter](http://www.youtube.com/@fedgovtoday) [✕](https://fedgovtoday.com/guests/avoiding-the-doom-loop-in-agency-consolidation#atbs-thenextmag-offcanvas-mobile) - [Home](https://fedgovtoday.com) - [TV Show](https://fedgovtoday.com/tv-show) - [Guests](https://fedgovtoday.com/guests) - [Podcast](https://fedgovtoday.com/podcast) - Topics - **TECH** - [-- AI](https://fedgovtoday.com/topic-index/artificial-intelligence) - [-- Cloud](https://fedgovtoday.com/topic-index/cloud) - [-- Cyber](https://fedgovtoday.com/topic-index/cyber) - [-- Data](https://fedgovtoday.com/topic-index/data) - [-- Emerging Tech](https://fedgovtoday.com/topic-index/emerging-tech) - [-- Modernization](https://fedgovtoday.com/topic-index/modernization) - **DEFENSE** - [-- Defense Tech](https://fedgovtoday.com/topic-index/defense-tech) - [-- Intel / OSINT](https://fedgovtoday.com/topic-index/intel-osint) - [-- Space](https://fedgovtoday.com/topic-index/space) - **WORKFORCE** - [-- Pay & Benefits](https://fedgovtoday.com/topic-index/pay-and-benefits) - [-- HR](https://fedgovtoday.com/topic-index/human-resources) - **ACQUISTION** - [-- Acquisition](https://fedgovtoday.com/topic-index/topic-index-acquisition) - **CITIZEN SERVICES** - [-- CX](https://fedgovtoday.com/topic-index/customer-experience) - [-- Digital Government](https://fedgovtoday.com/topic-index/digital-government) - [Events](https://fedgovtoday.com/events) - [Industry Insight](https://fedgovtoday.com/industry-insights) - Shows - [-- Innovation in Government](https://fedgovtoday.com/innovation-in-government-0) - [-- Modernizing Government](https://fedgovtoday.com/modernizing-government) - [-- Four Futures of AI](https://fedgovtoday.com/four-futures-of-ai) - [-- DefenseTech TV](https://fedgovtoday.com/defensetech-tv) - [-- In Depth](https://fedgovtoday.com/indepth) - [-- The Federal Focus](https://fedgovtoday.com/federalfocus) - [About](https://fedgovtoday.com/about) ### Avoiding the 'Doom Loop' in Agency Consolidation *Original broadcast 3/16/25* ### **Can the Government Consolidate Agencies Without Losing Mission Effectiveness?** The federal government is once again exploring agency consolidation as part of broader efficiency efforts. But how can agencies be merged or restructured without sacrificing their core missions? On *Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose*, **Chris Mihm, former Director of Management Issues at the Government Accountability Office (GAO),** and **Loren DeJonge Schulman, former Associate Director for Performance at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB),** shared their insights on the challenges and opportunities of agency consolidation. ### **Beyond Budget Cuts: Why Consolidation Needs a Bigger Vision** ![Screenshot 2025-03-12 at 10.15.20 PM](https://fedgovtoday.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screenshot%202025-03-12%20at%2010_15_20%20PM-2.png?width=500&height=278&name=Screenshot%202025-03-12%20at%2010_15_20%20PM-2.png)According to Mihm, one of the biggest mistakes in federal consolidation efforts is viewing them solely as cost-cutting exercises. While financial efficiency is important, the true goal should be **improving mission effectiveness.** "Successful consolidations aren’t just about cutting staff or reducing costs," Mihm explained. "They need to be part of a broader reform package that improves institutional culture, fosters cross-agency collaboration, and enhances service delivery." Schulman added that without **strong leadership and implementation teams**, many consolidation efforts fail to take hold. "You can’t just announce a restructuring and expect it to work," she said. "You need a team focused on execution, ensuring that reforms align with long-term strategic goals rather than short-term budget fixes." ### **Stakeholder Engagement: The Key to Successful Change** ![Screenshot 2025-03-12 at 10.16.08 PM](https://fedgovtoday.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screenshot%202025-03-12%20at%2010_16_08%20PM-2.png?width=500&height=280&name=Screenshot%202025-03-12%20at%2010_16_08%20PM-2.png)Both experts emphasized the importance of **two-way communication with stakeholders.** Too often, consolidation plans are dictated from the top down without input from the employees and external partners who will be most affected. "Public servants dedicate their careers to a mission," Schulman noted. "If we expect them to embrace change, we need to make them part of the process—not just tell them what’s happening after the fact." Similarly, Mihm pointed out that consolidation doesn’t happen in isolation. "Federal programs touch state and local governments, universities, contractors, and the private sector," he said. "A successful consolidation effort considers these partnerships and ensures that key services continue without disruption." ### **What’s Next for Federal Agency Consolidation?** As discussions about restructuring continue, Mihm and Schulman offer a roadmap for **smart, effective consolidation:** ✔ **Focus on mission outcomes** rather than just cost-cutting ✔ **Ensure dedicated leadership** and implementation teams ✔ **Engage employees and stakeholders** in decision-making ✔ **Preserve collaboration across agencies** to maintain service delivery The federal government has a long history of attempted consolidations—some successful, many not. The key to getting it right is **ensuring that restructuring enhances mission effectiveness, not just financial efficiency.** ### **Key Takeaways:** - **Reform Must Be More Than Just Cost-Cutting** – Agency consolidation should be about improving effectiveness, not just downsizing. - **Strong Leadership & Implementation Teams Are Critical** – Without a dedicated team overseeing execution, reforms often fail to materialize. - **Stakeholder Engagement Ensures Success** – Effective communication with employees and external partners prevents disruptions to public services.   ### Share on Social [Share this blog post on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://fedgovtoday.com/guests/avoiding-the-doom-loop-in-agency-consolidation) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://fedgovtoday.com/guests/avoiding-the-doom-loop-in-agency-consolidation) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://fedgovtoday.com/guests/avoiding-the-doom-loop-in-agency-consolidation) [Loren DeJonge Schulman](https://fedgovtoday.com/guests/tag/loren-dejonge-schulman) [OMB](https://fedgovtoday.com/guests/tag/omb) [Chris Mihm](https://fedgovtoday.com/guests/tag/chris-mihm) [GAO](https://fedgovtoday.com/guests/tag/gao) [Management](https://fedgovtoday.com/guests/tag/management) [![logo-fgt-2026-white](https://fedgovtoday.com/hubfs/logo-fgt-2026-white.svg "logo-fgt-2026-white")](https://fedgovtoday.com/) - [About](https://fedgovtoday.com/about) - [Contact](https://fedgovtoday.com/contact) - [Privacy Policy](https://fedgovtoday.com/privacy-policy) - [Advertise](https://fedgovtoday.com/advertisement) - [Subscribe to Our Newsletter](https://fedgovtoday.com/subscribe) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/fedgovtoday/) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/FedGovToday) [Follow us on Twitter](http://www.youtube.com/@fedgovtoday) [Follow us on Facebook](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fed-gov-today/id1658568583) [Follow us on Facebook](mailto:John@FedGovToday.com) Copyright © Fed Gov Today, LLC 2025. 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