The Open Government Directive issued on December 8th from the U.S. Office of Management

and Budget listed specific actions and timelines for implementation to federal agencies. Within 45 days agencies must make public on Data.gov at least three "high value" data sets (for example data that improves public knowledge of the agency and its operations), and launch an open government web page within 60 days. However, the biggest challenge to federal agencies is the requirement for an agency-wide Open Government Plan that describes how the agency will increase transparency and integrate public participation and collaboration into its government business. The deadline for creating this plan is within 120 days, i.e. April 8, 2010.

Agencies should not be caught off guard with this requirement for open government initiatives, as within days after being confirmed by the Senate last spring, Federal Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra discussed agencies creating "signature" open government initiatives. Chopra began working with federal agency heads as well as CIOs to support the President's request that each cabinet level agency adopt one "signature" open government initiative relative to the mission of that agency. These open initiatives are to use Web 2.0 tools to disclose information about operations and decisions online, and make this information readily available to the public. Additionally, executive departments and agencies have been instructed to solicit public input and feedback to identify information of the greatest use to the public. However, the comprehensive requirements outlined for creation of the Open Government Plan will tax agencies strapped with additional stimulus funding and grant responsibilities and little additional headcount. Public information that the Open Government Plan must address includes:

• How the agency is meeting the Paperwork Reduction Act (Public Law 104-13, Section 3506d)
• How the agency is complying with transparency initiatives such as Data.gov, eRulemaking, IT Dashboard, Recovery.gov, and USAspending.gov
• How the agency will inform the public of significant actions and agency business through public meetings, briefings, press conferences on the internet, and town hall meetings
• The creation of website links that provide information on organizational structure, staffing, FOIA requests and capacity to respond to these requests in a timely manner, and listing of declassification programs

The plans must also detail how the agency will improve collaboration with other government agencies and the public, including any proposed changes to internal management and administrative policies that will facilitate this improvement. 

As challenging as these plans may be for agencies to create within the deadline, these plans will, when implemented, provide unprecedented information to the public, allow for public feedback on agency core mission activities, and detail proposed changes to agency management and administrative policies to improve collaboration. In short, open government plans will facilitate breakthroughs in organizational and cultural barriers to provide better information and services to constituents.