On today’s OpenGovRadio broadcast, moderator Stephen Buckley pointed out a new page posted on USA.gov. The Guidance for Agency Web and New Media Teams page contains “resources to help agencies comply with the Open Government Directive” (OGD).
Of particular interest is a sample wireframe (PDF) of a generic agency “open” page. The wireframe addresses a key requirement of the OGD that each agency “create an Open Government Webpage located at ‘http://www.[agency].gov/open’ to serve as the gateway for agency activities related to the Open Government Directive.”
The OGD is specific about what should appear on each agency’s “Open” page:
- Each Open Government Webpage shall incorporate a mechanism for the public to:
- Give feedback on and assessment of the quality of published information;
- Provide input about which information to prioritize for publication; and
- Provide input on the agency’s Open Government Plan (see 3.a.).
- Each agency shall respond to public input received on its Open Government Webpage on a regular basis.
- Each agency shall publish its annual Freedom of Information Act Report in an open format on its Open Government Webpage…
The sample wireframe presents an attractive design, and contains a number of elements that could be used to meet a number of these requirements. However, agencies should understand that the wireframe is only a jumping off point, and does not itself contain everything that ought to be addressed on each agency’s “Open” page.
Key elements of the wireframe include:
- A “Featured” box containing “Public Engagement Activity” which presumably would contain an input mechanism enabling public feedback.
- A “Data Sources” module that could effectively present some of the “high-value” data sets also required by the OGD.
- A “Records and Reports” module that could be used to present an agency’s Open Government Plan and its FOIA reports.
- A “Contact Us” module that is prominently displayed and presents ample contact information.
- A “Stay Connected” module containing social media links.
Of course, wireframes are only meant to identify the elements that are to appear on a page; they aren’t meant to address implementation.
The most challenging implementation issue may be how to effectively allow the public to assess the quality of agency efforts, and help prioritize what data each agency publicizes. It is start to have a “comment” form welcoming input on these subjects. But more robust solutions exist (e.g., IdeaScale, MixedInk).
Many thanks to the folks at USA.gov for posting this wireframe. Hopefully they’ll continue helping to move this initiative forward.
Note: A number of agencies have already posted “Open” pages. Both the Department of Labor and the Small Business Administration have posted pages.