- Value [1] Performance
- Improved government performance -- One of the greatest challenges the next administration faces is to control the federal
debt while not jeopardizing the essential mission of government to protect, defend and serve the U.S. citizens. Only through
technology-enabled innovation information technology can any organization hope to tackle this challenge. Tools can distill
large amounts of data and proactively demonstrate where productivity gains can be achieved. Data analytics can also identify
the non-obvious side effects of fiscal changes. Both approaches are essential to quickly and confidently tackle the large
questions around federal budgets and spending. Federal financial data is an example of one data set that is underutilized
in government. Proactive application of analytical tools and exposure of anomalies increases government's opportunities to
better understand where it is spending money, compare how agencies are investing against performance goals, and identify overlapping
programs. For example, data can be analyzed on travel locations - not just to look for waste, but also to proactively negotiate
better rates in certain areas where travel is necessary. Finally, through data analytics, government can identify patterns
of fraud, waste and abuse and prevent future improper payments. This proactive activity reduces the cost of recovery to retroactively
collect government funds from those abusing the system.
- Value [2] Communication
- Improved communication and collaboration across government and with citizens After the September 2001 terrorist attack, President
George W. Bush created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). One of the primary reasons was to help improve communications
and information sharing among the agencies defending and protecting our country. In the information era, the United States
security depends on collaboration among government organizations and with the private sector. Digital information and technology
is a catalyst for improving communication and information sharing. While there has been a lot of progress, continued focus
is needed. National security is an obligation of many government entities at all levels of government. It is especially challenging
because the vast majority of critical infrastructure in our country is owned and operated by the private sector. More progress
is required in defining mission ownership, dependent responsibilities, and effective approaches to collaboration. A common
strategy that uses technology to automate access and authenticate valuable information that needs to be shared will help keep
our nation safe. Some people advocate reorganizing the government as a means to improve performance. A comprehensive strategy
for information and technology management could make reorganization of government agencies unnecessary in the future by enabling
information and services to cross administrative boundaries. In fact, virtual organizations could exist to reduce costs in
redundant activities, personnel and facilities. We see similar opportunities to improve interactions with citizens. Throughout
American history, citizen engagement has been a powerful mechanism for impacting change. This includes everything from the
Boston Tea Party to the suffrage movement to the civil rights marches. With the explosion of the Internet, citizens have embraced
a new medium where they can engage in politics and government, regardless of their location. The power of citizen engagement
through various digital media was demonstrated with the Obama campaign in the 2008 Presidential election and later in the
emergence of the Tea Party. Citizen-government collaboration, powered by technology, allows services to be designed and deployed
around constituent's needs. With the increased availability and transparency of government data, citizens can contribute cost-free
ideas to improve government service that may be of great benefit to the Nation's leaders. These types of citizen engagement
efforts should continue and be measured for effectiveness and impact. The digital world has altered how Americans interact
in their personal and business capacities. For example, they can search for gifts online, pay online and ship a gift to a
friend for next day delivery. Citizens no longer have to go to their own bank's ATM machine to withdraw money; they can go
to nearly any other bank in the world and receive the same service. These types of experiences have changed the public's expectations
around their user experience with government services. Citizens are interacting at a new level with all forms of organizations.
The federal government must continue to evolve its methods of citizen interaction using mobile and social platforms. Increasingly,
agencies are automating government services. There are great examples like online visa applications or electronic income tax
filing. But citizen experiences differ due to our current stovepipe approach -- sometimes even within the same department.
Imagine a day when a citizen is delivered a single window view of their federal government transactions and can confirm their
tax status, change their filing status, check their social security benefits, and confirm a balance on a student loan. A single
window to an individual's government data and available services would vastly improve the citizen's experience working with
government. Today, the technology exists -- continued leadership and commitment will make it happen. Some services are emerging,
such as pilot programs like BusinessUSA.gov. When citizens see significant changes to services, their confidence in and perceived
value of government improves.
- Value [3] Collaboration
- Value [4] Catalysis
- Serve as a catalyst for change in areas in crisis: Healthcare and Education Technology can improve performance and interactions
within government and with citizens, and be a catalyst for change in areas of crisis. The uncontrolled growth in medical costs,
the aging baby boomer population and a medical system aimed at treating symptoms rather than causes, has created a healthcare
crisis. There is widespread belief that healthcare costs are unsustainable, especially in the current fiscal environment.
It is well documented that technology can play a huge role in improving US healthcare. There are multiple studies on this
topic and, while there is more work to be done, using technology to establish electronic health records seems to be well on
its way as a course of business. According to an October 2007, Milken Institute Report, chronic diseases (e.g., cancer, diabetes,
heart disease) account for 80% of healthcare costs. If we can prevent these chronic diseases and focus on wellness, there
are tremendous healthcare savings to be reaped. Technology is one of the keys to attaining these cost savings. Arming healthcare
professionals with data analytics and tools to support health research is one key. Equipping individuals with access to their
own health records through technology can promote wellness by enabling people to be more responsible for their own health.
Increased access to health information can help people become better informed consumers of healthcare services, increase treatment
effectiveness through competition, and reduce costs and waste on unnecessary treatments. Technology advances include mobile
applications to track individual's exercise achievements, web services that promote wellness education, and the utilization
of personalized health monitors. Social media can be utilized to share information on successful wellness programs. , chronic
diseases (e.g., cancer, diabetes, heart disease) account for 80% of healthcare costs. If we can prevent these chronic diseases
and focus on wellness, there are tremendous healthcare savings to be reaped. The federal government, the nation's largest
employer, is well positioned to continue to provide leadership and increased awareness of these technology tools to promote
wellness, improve health care, and drive down healthcare costs in the federal workforce. We see another crisis brewing with
science and technology education. According to the National Science Foundation, science and engineering innovation has produced
approximately half of the U.S. economic growth in the last 50 years. The fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics
(STEM) are critical to innovation and the growth in the US economy. The U.S. is lagging in math and science proficiency. Teacher
training in these fields is deficient, especially in the elementary school years. Jobs in STEM fields are increasing three
times faster than jobs in the rest of the economy; yet, American students are not entering these fields of study in sufficient
numbers to meet the demand. A lack of focus in this area leaves the U.S. highly vulnerable and increasingly reliant on overseas
scientists and engineers to fill future jobs. A crisis is looming that can negatively impact U.S. world standing. There needs
to be an immediate course correction on the importance of STEM education in the U.S. Increased visibility and leadership is
required to drive STEM education. A comprehensive, coordinated campaign is needed so all citizens understand this issue's
criticality. Making STEM attractive to students through more focused teacher training requires unparalleled culture change.
Cracking the code on the STEM crisis requires the creation of measurable training and repeatable education methodologies to
leverage best practices on a national level. Finally, the availability of technology itself plays a huge role. Universal access
to broadband digital infrastructure, applications and devices are requirements for future educational competitiveness. A digital
infrastructure can provide teachers with tools that may allow students to learn more quickly and provide access to new applications
and content that may galvanize interest in science and technology.
- Value [5] Interaction
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