Government officials and information specialists from more than 50 countries wrapped up a week long conference in Washington this week to try to answer a simple question: How to unlock the value of government data to improve the lives citizens in developed as well as less developed nations.
The answer, it turns out, is a lot more complex. Keep reading →
Recovery.gov is the U.S. government’s official website that provides easy access to data related to Recovery Act spending and allows for the reporting of potential fraud, waste, and abuse. My AOL colleague, Richard Walker wrote recently about how Recovery.gov “Shows The Power Of Transparency In Tracking Federal Spending” since the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board [RAT Board] has provided “a commendable model of transparency… the tremendous success of the RAT Board is worthy of replication throughout the federal bureaucracy.”
He also mentions how the proposed Digital Accountability and Transparency Act of 2011 (DATA Act) would establish consistent data elements and standards for federal financial information to assure comparability and reliability in reported information and how recipient reporting through federalreporting.gov is the most cutting-edge feature of the transparency process and should be an integral part of federal spending accountability. Keep reading →
A White House memo giving chief information officers at federal agencies greater responsibilities to reduce wasteful technology spending comes up short in giving CIOs the added authority many believe they need to make a significant impact, say current and former government IT officials.
The memo, issued by Office of Management and Budget Director Jacob Lew on Aug. 8, notified U.S. department and agency chiefs that the CIOs working for them have been tasked with greater roles and responsibilities by OMB, as well as greater accountability, in controlling technology spending. Keep reading →