1.2: Framework
Enable use of this plan as a model for change throughout the Agency. Other Information:
Framework for Open Government NASA is a community of scientists, engineers, and other professionals who explore the Earth
and space for the benefit of humankind. As we uncover increasing knowledge about the universe and solve difficult engineering
challenges, we are continuously experimenting in labs, workshops, and offices. We gather and analyze information about our
universe, requiring perseverance and creativity to solve unique challenges. Unlocking the complex systems of the cosmos does
not come with an operating manual. Instead, we create hypotheses, conduct experiments, and refine our mental models and conceptual
frameworks based on evidence and experience. Open Government presents similar challenges as we work to improve our performance
and responsiveness to the Open Government Directive, thus the NASA Open Government Plan is not a manual. By recognizing current
initiatives that exemplify the values of Open Government, this plan can be used as a model for change throughout the Agency.
Applauding these successes creates a social incentive for our workforce to innovate, to keep looking for ways to be more efficient,
to further enhance our relationships existing stakeholders, and to create new partnerships. The guidance contained in the
Open Government Directive creates cultural and procedural opportunities for new initiatives, such as those contained in the
subsequent fact sheets. We believe that this is a continuous learning process, and thus have chosen to couch our Open Government
efforts as a framework in which to experiment and learn over time. The Open Government framework strives to be multi-dimensional
in its approach, addressing technology, policy, and culture. When all three of these tenets are targeted for improvement,
greater possibilities present themselves and momentum builds. While some of the initiatives outlined in the subsequent fact
sheets focus on one of these areas more than the others, most strive to touch on all three. The Open Government Initiative
is a movement within government to adapt to the changing external environment, embrace new technologies, engage with our citizens,
and encourage collaborations and partnerships. This is the result of the government recognizing that we can be more relevant
for our stakeholders and intentionally create a culture of openness as we evolve into a twenty-first century democracy. For
NASA, we are in the midst of a massive change ourselves. The external environment of the aeronautics and space sector is undergoing
a shift in how business is conducted, which results in changing roles of the major players. Today, there is no “space race.”
Instead we recognize that new innovations have occurred, new countries have aspirations for the cosmos, and new entrepreneurs
have plans to change the world. Announced in the FY11 budget, NASA is embarking on a bold, new strategy for extending humanity
into the solar system. The core of the strategy recognizes American ingenuity as a rich resource to develop more capable and
innovative technologies and to create a thriving commercial space sector. At the publishing of the first version of this Plan,
the NASA budget has been known for two months. Needless to say, we’ve been busy responding to the requests, forming study
teams, and charting a strategy to execute on our new direction. The Open Government Initiative is extremely timely for us,
as it provides a perspective to ensure that we are open in our processes, we generate data products of utility for the space
sector, and we enter into partnerships across the US government, with industry, other nations, and the public.
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