As mentioned in the home page, the gene (topic) mapping process so far has involved two general approaches, classified as “bottom up” versus “top down”. In the former, topics are extracted from individual pieces of literature or case studies while in the latter the come from a comprehensive dictionary. For the “top down” approach, we have located a word list composed of about 41,000 general words and reduced that number to approximately 13,000 word stems. Preliminary surveys seem to indicate that these can be reduced further based on importance to, and frequency of use in, P.A.

So far we have treated the individual topical words as if they had only one meaning. To do otherwise would be quite time-consuming. So we currently are investigating the use of a process and software called the “General Inquirer” to automatically extract alternate meanings for topics as well as to identify variables and relationships in text.

The next stage in “mapping” the Public Administration (P. A.) Genome is to look for causal relationships between identified variables. For this we have made use of a piece of “analytic discovery” software called Quantitative CyberQuest (QCQ). This helps the analyst create both conceptual models and, where possible, quantitative versions. With these models, an administrator would be able to trace the causal path in a network between one variable (say a strategy) and another (say a goal). All this presumes that there is a good “match” between three views of the circumstance at hand: (1) the actual situation; (2) the client’s image of that situation; and (3) the theory available to explain/predict the results of proposed strategic interventions within the actual situation. We are exploring several processes for making such a match.

After the mapping has progressed sufficiently it will be time to structure an interactive information and guidance system -- which we refer to as “COMPASS” -- that specifies the topics and their involvement in relationships between corresponding variables. We envision a product, possibly similar to a prescription drug interaction database, where users can get descriptive information on a topic as well as associated strategies and side effects (impacts).

So far we have explored the human genome analogy mainly with the “mapping” process in mind. But we also have extended this analogy into genetic aspects of reproduction and evolution. This perspective still is limited, however, so we have broadened it even further to include “chemical life” principles such as catalysis and homeostasis. Of course, bio-chemistry does not hold all the answers, so in addition we have explored theories from other fields, specifically microeconomics.

At the highest and broadest level we propose the Principle of Least Action (PLA) to serve as a comprehensive yet relatively simple theory to help explain, predict, and be used to enhance administrative behavior. The PLA is perhaps the most basic generalization in physical science. It assumes nature is economic and does not expend energy needlessly. For example, water running downhill seeks the quickest descent.

Public administrators (as well as people generally) appear to act no differently. Administrators usually have a long “to do” list, so they try not to expend any more effort than needed to execute a particular program or project. But they may not always know the best way to go about this: a fact which provides the main rationale for the proposed P. A. COMPASS System.

All that has been said above has to be prefaced with the understanding that much has yet to be discovered. Work needs to progress in at least six areas:

1. Building up the list of genes (topics) through both “bottom up” and “top down” approaches.
2. Developing more models, both conceptual and quantitative, of relationships between variables, encompassing as many topics in the Genome as possible.
3. Automating the semantic and syntactic analysis process, specifically in extracting variables and relationships from the voluminous literature.
4. Developing a process for matching theories and models to practice.
5. Expanding the more basic theories underlying public administrative behavior.
6. Designing the information/guidance system (COMPASS) for the P. A. Genome.

If these can be accomplished, the P. A. Genome not only will be officially “mapped” but more importantly will have the potential to be one of most useful tools in the managerial work