Open Government Strategy Development & Execution

What is the Value of Phase One's Approach to Open Government?

President Obama articulated the value of the Open Government Initiative with the Open Government Directive issued January 21, 2009:
"Our commitment to openness means more than simply informing the American people about how decisions are made. It means recognizing that government does not have all the answers and that public officials need to draw on what citizens know."

Phase One Consulting Group feels that Open Government (aka. Gov 2.0 or Gov-2) is ultimately about driving innovation through collaboration and that the adoption of Open Government principles provides an unprecedented opportunity to create better relationships between government and citizens with low cost and powerful collaboration platforms. The value of Open Government can be realized in many of the following ways:

  • Ensuring cost effectiveness, accessibility, and quality in service provision;
  • Applying citizen knowledge to improve government services and clarify citizen’s demand for services;
  • Streamlining federal efforts allowing Agencies to focus on and enhance their mission areas;
  • Improving citizen satisfaction and perception;
  • Increasing agency accountability and responsiveness;
  • Stimulating the openness that drives public trust and innovation.

What makes Phase One Consulting Group Different from other Open Government Consultancies?

Open Government Framework diagram Open Government Framework diagram
  1. We have assisted in the Development of an Open Source, Open Government Methodology with the multiple Cabinet Offices

    The hurdles to Open Government are complex and widespread. The most common hurdles associated with technology, policy and culture must be understood in order to mitigate the risks associated with creating successful Open Government plans and programs. To achieve success, Departments and Agencies must attract the right people to the leadership table from the beginning, while at the same time applying a framework that is focused, comprehensive and flexible. For example, Phase One has led the Department of Transportation’s CIO Office’s efforts to incorporate each respective technology, policy and cultural element into a framework that will enable DOT to meet their strategic objectives, mitigate risks, and improve performance. This framework, which is now being applied at The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Department of Interior (DOI), allowed DOT to answer two initial questions: "How should I approach managing the change required for a more Open Government?" and "Who should I involve in Open Government?"  In addition, the framework is "open source", in the spirit of the Open Government Initiative, and intended to be modified based upon the needs of individual Agencies.  This is similar to Phase One’s previous  efforts, when the firm helped develop the Federal Segment Architecture Methodology via guidance and templates that enhanced Enterprise Architecture programs throughout the federal government. Read more about our thoughts on strategy and planning on our Transformation in the Federal Sector blog.

  2. We Provide the Thought Leadership in Distinguishing e-Government and Open Government

    Phase One understands that Open Government is different from "e-Gov" because it expands the responsibility for e-Democracy outside the Office of the Chief Information Officer and increases the importance of regular two way communication and collaboration with non-governmental entities.  As a result, Open Government encourages the use of collaborative and open source technologies such as Web 2.0 tools.  It also requires federal employees to change the way they interact with citizens and allows citizens to become more involved in their government. Phase One has authored a white paper comparing these two initiatives located here.

  3. We are Solution Neutral and Tool Independent in Advising the Development of Open Government Planning and Strategy

    Tool independent planning and strategy is crucial in the formulation of an Agency’s Open Government plan due to the multitude of portfolio investment options that exist in the marketplace.   Moreover, Open Government will only be successful if it can be properly tied to achieving agency goals; selecting the most appropriate investment portfolio is crucial to achieving this.  Phase One Consulting Group will not only be able to develop an Open Government plan and implementation framework that contributes to an Agency’s ability to achieve its strategic mission(s), but also help Agencies determine the most appropriate delivery mediums based on these plans.  Additionally, Phase One brings to bear the ability to manage the development and delivery of the relevant solutions that will lead to initial and ongoing success in enabling an Agency’s Open Government portfolio to continue to bring benefits to the mission.