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OPM.gov / About / Open Government / Digital Government Strategy
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Digital Government Strategy

 

Overview

Welcome to our Digital Government Strategy web site. We'll use these pages to keep you informed of our work to implement the Digital Government Strategy. If you have any comments about this work, please leave them on our Open Government blog.

Our Latest Report

Our latest report is below.

Last updated September 11, 2015

Digital Government Strategy Report for the Office of Personnel Management

1.2. Ensure all new IT systems follow the open data, content, and web API policy and operationalize agency.gov/developer pages

Overall Status: In Progress

1.2.1. Document policy for architecting new IT systems for openness by default

Describe policy: We take a life cycle approach to managing information and information systems, from creation or acquisition through disposition. In the middle of the information life cycle, we manage the release of data through a combination of a robust Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act (FOIA/PA) program, which safely processes large volumes of personal information, and proactive disclosure. We are working to ensure both greater coordination among program offices and also accountability for decisions around data, including everything from data fields to procurement. Major updates to policies and processes for information collection, information system development, data management, and data release will be scrutinized via this governance structure to ensure interoperability, openness as appropriate, security, usability, accessibility, the appropriate use of government funds, and the leveraging of economies of scale.

1.2.4. Develop Data Inventory Schedule

Summary: 

Our open data leads continue to work with program offices to document data definitions and standards and publish releasable metadata. We have worked one-on-one with these offices to obtain the metadata and spread awareness about the importance of providing open data in machine-readable formats.

Now that our inventory has begun to reach a good level of maturity, we are enriching and opening our inventory by providing more detailed metadata, better organizing our inventory, and providing more data to the public in machine-readable formats. One example of better organization was made possible with the late 2014 release of version 1.1 of the metadata schema: parent-child relationships. We are taking full advantage of this new feature. Since completing the initial inventory in November 2014 and moving to version 1.1 of the schema in February 2015, we have begun to turn our attention to providing machine-readable versions of data that we currently make available only in formats such as PDF. However, we continue to identify data assets that have "fallen through the cracks" and add them to the inventory.

Besides maintaining the inventory, we will conduct qualitative analysis to develop categories among the data assets and modify our Metadata Repository (MDR) to incorporate these categories and accommodate the data assets.

1.2.5 Develop Data Inventory Schedule

Milestones:

Title Description Milestone Date How This Milestone Expands the Inventory How This Milestone Enriches the Inventory How This Milestone Opens the Inventory
Data asset identification Identification of data assets from throughout OPM 02/28/2014 Increased the number of data assets in the inventory Provided a broader picture of OPM’s data Created a foundation for public release of data
Wider data asset identification Identification of data assets at a more granular level and from a wider range of programs 05/31/2014 Increased the number of data assets in the inventory Provided an even broader and deeper picture of OPM’s data Built a stronger foundation for public release of data
Targeted asset identification Identification of missing data assets and targeting them for inclusion 08/30/2014 Increased the number of data assets in the inventory Continued to expand our understanding of OPM's data Helped identify data for immediate or future release

Complete

Inventory

 Release of the complete inventory 11/30/2014 Brought “stragglers” into the fold Provided a nearly full understanding of OPM’s data Made as much of the full inventory available to the public as legally appropriate and practicable

Metadata Schema

v. 1.1

 Moved the inventory files to v. 1.1 of the metadata schema. In the process, designated some entries as “parents” and created hundreds of “children,” along with parent-child relationships 02/28/2015 Provided individual entries for child datasets Parent-child relationships show how one dataset connects to another. This change helps the public better understand OPM’s data Provided more links to OPM’s publicly available data, organized in a useful way

Deeper Look into Employee Services

 Focused on Employee Services data to fill in holes about areas such as employee relations, labor relations, veterans employment, and official time for unions representing federal employees 5/31/2015 Adds entries regarding Employee Services Provides a fuller understanding of OPM's government-wide policies Federal job series data are now available in a machine-readable format (CSV), making the data easier to work with

1.2.6. Develop Customer Feedback Process

Describe process: On both www.opm.gov/digitalstrategy and www.opm.gov/data, we have placed links to the open government topic area in our frequently asked questions system. Users can submit questions or requests for data using that system. OPM’s open government staff redirects these requests to the proper program offices. The program office staff are responsible for responding to these requests. OPM’s Data Governance Board considers remaining requests monthly and works with program offices to release that data as practicable.

1.2.7. Develop Data Publication Process

Describe process: The Data Governance Board (DGB) oversees the processes of inventorying and releasing data. The members of the DGB are technically competent and represent OPM’s major data owners. We are currently focusing on inventorying our data and are temporarily accepting program offices’ assessments of the public access level of their data assets. However, as we further open our data, when a program office deems that the data’s access level should be public, the DGB will offer a determination as to whether the data could be harmful because of the mosaic effect (i.e., two or more independently harmless data sets could be compared or unified to inadvertently identify an individual or otherwise cause harm) or other potential negative consequence that was unforeseen by the program office. If the DGB does not find any such potential harms, it will recommend to OPM’s Investment Review Board (IRB) that the data be released. The IRB, in turn, will make a recommendation to OPM’s Office of the General Counsel, which will make the final determination. Any program office that labels its data “restricted public” or “non-public” is required to provide justification. Reasons for restricting some of the data but not all of it (“restricted public”) fall primarily into the category of “personally identifiable information,” or “PII.” Social security numbers are the most obvious example, but information about law enforcement or homeland security personnel that could make them easy to target would also be off-limits. In these cases, we will release non-attributable or less granular data at the appropriate time. Reasons for restricting all of the data (“non-public”) fall primarily into the category of “security.” For example, certain data about Continuity of Operations (COOP) are not releasable because they could compromise the agency’s ability to operate securely in a national emergency.

2.1. Engage with customers to identify at least two existing major customer-facing services that contain high-value data or content as first-move candidates to make compliant with new open data, content, and web API policy.

Overall Status: Completed

2.1.1. Paragraph on customer engagement approach

Paragraph on customer engagement approach: We initially identified 5 possible customer facing services with high value data or content: the OPM Website, Searchable Frequently Asked Questions, FedScope, Federal Government Operating Status, and USAJOBS. Based on feedback we received through engagement with various stakeholders (communities of practice, blogs, social media, and workgroups) we selected the following two existing major customer facing systems for milestone 2.1: (1) USAJOBS and (2) Federal Government Operating Status. We selected these two systems because of public demand for more flexible access to the information they provide. Throughout five open government teams, we have regularly engaged stakeholders from throughout the agency, our union, other agencies, good government groups, and academia on the OPM data that interest them the most. In choosing USAJOBS and the federal government operating status as the first candidates to make compliant with new open data, content, and web API policy, we drew on our many conversations with those stakeholders. We also looked at social media to see what the public is most interested in knowing more about; federal jobs and the operating status consistently draw attention. To prioritize future systems, we will work with the Big Data Community of Practice we recently established, which has a similar makeup to our open government teams. We will also continue to monitor feedback via social media.

2.1.2. Prioritized list of systems (datasets)

System Name: USAJOBS

System Description: Website to post and find federal jobs. By providing an API for USAJOBS, we will make it easier for third parties to (1) provide customized access to job postings (e.g., only those that would be of interest to members of a particular professional organization) or (2) combine job posting with other services or applications (e.g., discussion boards or other social media around federal jobs).

System Scope: both

Main Customer: General public

Unique Investment Identifier: 027-000000053-USAJOBS

System Name: Federal Government Operating Status

System Description: Provides information on the operating status of federal agencies. Not only do federal employees need to know the operating status of their offices, but also many businesses and other organizations base their operating status decisions on ours. The API for the operating status will make it easier for those organizations and even other federal agencies to make full use of operating status data.

System Scope: both

Main Customer: General public

Unique Investment Identifier: 027-XXXXXXXXX-New Investment for FY 2014 Budget

2.2. Make high-value data and content in at least two existing, major customer-facing systems available through web APIs, apply metadata tagging and publish a plan to transition additional high-value systems

Overall Status: Completed

2.2.1. Publish plan on future activity

Describe policy: Whenever OPM plans to modernize or otherwise significantly alter an existing system, the program office, Enterprise Architect, Records Officer, Data Governance Board (DBG), and Investment Review Board (IRB) will undertake a thorough review of opportunities to leverage web APIs in the revised system. This includes repurposing existing APIs, ensuring interoperability with related government (including but not limited to OPM) systems, and supporting data analysis and mashups. These stakeholders will do the same for new systems. Wherever practical, they will include other stakeholders (e.g., customer agencies) in these discussions.

2.2.2. Make 2+ systems (datasets) available via web APIs with metadata tags

Name of system: USAJOBS

Description of system: Website to post and find federal jobs. By providing an API for USAJOBS, we are making it easier for third parties to (1) provide customized access to job postings (e.g., only those that would be of interest to members of a particular professional organization) or (2) combine job posting with other services or applications (e.g., discussion boards or other social media around federal jobs).

Scope of system: both

Main Customers: General public

Unique Investment Identifier: 027-000000053-USAJOBS

API Link: USAJOBS Open Data

Name of system: Federal Government Operating Status

Description of system: Provides information on the operating status of federal agencies. Not only do federal employees need to know the operating status of their offices, but also many businesses and other organizations base their operating status decisions on ours. This service will make it easier for those organizations and even other federal agencies to make full use of operating status data. There are actually three APIs: Current Status with real-time data on the Washington, DC-area operating status, supplemented by Status Types and Status History back to January 1, 1995.

Scope of system: both

Main Customers: General public

Unique Investment Identifier: 027-XXXXXXXXX-New Investment for FY 2014 Budget

API Link: Current Status API

4.2. Establish an agency-wide governance structure for developing and delivering digital services

Overall Status: In Progress

Paragraph on Governance: OPM has long had four boards that govern the acquisition and use of information technology (IT) assets, but these boards have not been integrated. Rather than create another, separate board, we are consolidating the existing Capital Investment Committee (CIC) with the Investment Review Board (IRB). Program offices will report all acquisition efforts regarding digital assets to the IRB through the Technology Integration Board (TIB) and Data Governance Board (DGB) prior to award. All of the IRB’s members already sit on one or more of these existing boards; the IRB’s main function is to ensure enterprise-wide coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on all aspects of digital assets.

URL to Governance Document: Digital Government Strategy Governance

5.2. Develop an enterprise-wide inventory of mobile devices and wireless service contracts

Overall Status: Completed

5.3. Evaluate the government-wide contract vehicles in the alternatives analysis for all new mobile-related procurements

Overall Status: In Progress

Describe Implementation: Request For Proposals (RFP) is completed for a telecom expense management system (TEMS). That award starts the migrating of data plans to centralize all OPM mobile devices with contract management occurring in the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO). We have completed an analysis of the existing providers’ plan structure and are modifying data use plans to match agency user needs. New plans or rollover plans will be negotiated and consolidated into a single Agency account. Lastly, the RFP is designed to negotiate low- to no-cost hardware replacement from the selected vendor.

6.3. Ensure all new digital services follow digital services and customer experience improvement guidelines

Overall Status: In Progress

Describe Implementation: We are strengthening and simplifying our digital governance. One of the goals of these changes is to make it easier for executives and program managers to take a more holistic approach to OPM’s systems and services, thereby allowing us to better prioritize these system and services. Also, we recently overhauled opm.gov. We’ve been closely monitoring customer feedback and analytics, and we’re using this information to improve the site. We’re also exploring ways to make opm.gov more mobile friendly. Our efforts with opm.gov serve as a model for other OPM web services.

7.1. Engage with customers to identify at least two existing priority customer-facing services to optimize for mobile use.

Overall Status: Completed

7.1.1. Paragraph on customer engagement approach

Paragraph on customer engagement approach: We first identified 5 possible customer facing services for potential optimization for mobile use: the OPM Website, Searchable Frequently Asked Questions, FedScope, Federal Government Operating Status, and USAJOBS. Based on feedback we received through engagement with various stakeholders (communities of practice, blogs, social media and workgroups) we selected the following two existing major customer-facing systems for milestone 7.1: (1) USAJOBS and (2) Federal Government Operating Status. We selected these two systems because (1) there is significant public demand and (2) the full range of functionality for the mobile user community does not exist, since the existing mobile options are toward one operating system. We hear from our stakeholders that USAJOBS is one of the best places to find Federal employment and they would like to be able to access the site through any device, anywhere and anytime. USAJOBS launched an iOS (iPhone and iPad) application several months ago. However, nothing currently exists for users of Android phones or tablets; our goal is to provide equal access to users of both major mobile platforms. As technologies evolve, we may need to add other platforms. for the USAJOBS application to be device agnostic so it is available for all users. More than 5,000 people have downloaded the iOS application, and many have asked for an Android app through the USAJOBS Facebook page. Likewise, our stakeholders often provide feedback regarding how great it would be to have an application (again for any device, anywhere) to quickly find out about the operating status of the federal government. To prioritize future systems for mobile applications or mobile friendly delivery via web browsers, we will work with the Big Data Community of Practice we recently established, which has a similar makeup to our open government teams. We will also continue to monitor feedback via social media.

7.1.2. Prioritized list of systems (datasets)

System Name: USAJOBS

System Description: Website to post and find federal jobs. By keeping our popular iOS mobile app up-to-date and creating an Android version, we will better serve more people seeking federal employment.

System Scope: both

Main Customer: General public

Unique Investment Identifier: 027-000000053-USAJOBS

System Name: Federal Government Operating Status

System Description: Provides information on the operating status of federal agencies. Not only do federal employees use this information whenever there is bad weather or an unexpected major event such as an earthquake, but local businesses and other organizations often make their own operating status decisions based on the federal government’s decision. Although OPM has never created an application for the operating status, one exists for iOS devices and is sold by a private entity for $0.99. We will make this freely available information also more freely accessible with a mobile application for devices using any of the four major mobile operating systems.

System Scope: both

Main Customer: General public

Unique Investment Identifier: 027-XXXXXXXXX-New Investment for FY 2014 Budget

7.2. Optimize at least two existing priority customer-facing services for mobile use and publish a plan for improving additional existing services

Overall Status: Completed

Describe Implementation: Whenever OPM plans a significant change to a web service, the program office and technical staff will explore options for mobile optimization with "anytime, anywhere, on any device" and reuse in mind. "Reuse" can mean both using the same code for many platforms (e.g., through responsive web design) and the reuse of code in other projects within OPM or by the wider community (e.g., through making the code publicly available). Similarly, all new web services, including websites, will be required to be optimized for mobile use unless they receive a waiver from our top information technology governance body, the Investment Review Board (IRB). Waivers will be granted for internal services when the program office can demonstrate that users will access the services only through work stations.

7.2.1. Report on services

Service Name: USAJOBS

Service Description: Website to post and find federal jobs. By keeping our popular iOS mobile app up-to-date and creating an Android version, we will better serve more people seeking federal employment.

System Scope: both

Primary customers: General public

Unique Investment Identifier: 027-000000053-USAJOBS

URL of service: USAJOBS Mobile Apps

Service Name: Federal Government Operating Status

Service Description: Provides information on the operating status of federal agencies. Not only do federal employees use this information whenever there is bad weather or an unexpected major event such as an earthquake, but local businesses and other organizations often make their own operating status decisions based on the federal government’s decision. Although OPM has never created an application for the operating status, one exists for iOS devices and is sold by a private entity for $0.99. We will make this freely available information also more freely accessible with a mobile application for devices using any of the four major mobile operating systems.

System Scope: both

Primary customers: General public

Unique Investment Identifier: 027-XXXXXXXXX-New Investment for FY 2014 Budget

URL of service: OPM Alert Mobile App

8.2. Implement performance and customer satisfaction measuring tools on all .gov websites

Overall Status: In Progress

8.2.1. Implement performance measurement tool

Implemented Digital Analytics Program: yes

Percent of websites covered: 76

URL of performance data: To be determined.

8.2.2. Implement customer satisfaction tool

Describe Implementation: To be determined.

URL of performance data: To be determined.

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Related Information

Governance

OPM’s Technology Integration Board (TIB) and Data Governance Board (DGB) report to the Investment Review Board (IRB). The IRB, in turn, is accountable for reporting and the annual PortfolioStat Review with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The IRB’s members are OPM’s:

  • OPM Director or delegate
  • Chief Operating Officer (COO, co-chair)
  • Chief Information Officer (CIO, co-chair)
  • Chief of Staff
  • Deputy Chief of Staff
  • Chief Human Capital Officer (CHCO)
  • Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
  • Deputy CFO
  • Chief Accountability Officer (CAO)
  • All Associate Directors (ADs) and Office Heads

Through these boards and individual board members, program offices and agency-wide groups work with the IRB on specific subjects.

Federal IT Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA)

The Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) was enacted by Congress on December 19, 2014.  The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued guidance on June 10, 2015 via Memorandum M-15-14 to the federal agencies on the implementation requirements for FITARA.

The objective of FITARA is to assist federal agencies in establishing management practices that align IT resources with agency missions, goals, programmatic priorities, and statutory requirements. FITARA also helps to strengthen the role of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) with respect to the development, integration, delivery, and operations of Information Technology (IT), including IT services, and IT products.  The accountability of the CIO is also strengthened by FITARA regarding the IT cost, schedule, performance, and security.

The implementation of FITARA results in visibility into IT resources and greater integration of the agency CIO into the management and oversight of IT resources across the agency. This enables more effective planning, programming, budgeting, and execution for IT resources and supports the successful implementation of cybersecurity policies to prevent interruption or exploitation of program services.

Policy Archive Documents

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