Consistent with our mission to accelerate, facilitate and catalyze
the effective
and appropriate implementation of XML technology, we have identified
two critical success factors:
- Registry/repository software which constitutes our short-
and mid-term strategic objectives, with reference to the pilot and the
operational version, respectively; and
- Harmonization of the relevant registry/repository standards,
which is our mid- to longer-term objective.
These two task support all five of the activities we have been
authorized to undertake, as follows:
- XML Best Practices and Recommended Standards -- Governmentwide
usage of a standards-compliant registry/repository of XML data elements,
DTDs, and schemas is a best practice. It is also the key to enabling
stakeholders to readily to find and use elements, DTDs, and schemas
constituting recommended standards.
- Partnerships with Key Industry and Public Groups Developing
XML Standards and Specifications -- Partnership requires resources contributed
to joint effort by two or more entities. Key industry and public
interest groups may be identified by the XML data elements, DTDs, and schemas
they register and thereby recommend as standards. Whenever possible,
government agencies should use voluntary consensus standards developed
in partnership with commerce and industry. A key value the XML Working
Group may be able to add is to facilitate more rapid coalescence around
and development of the necessary registry/repository standards so that
potential partners can more easily discover and engage each other.
- Partnerships with Governmental Communities of Interest
-- If and when the pilot has proven the registry/repository to be usable
and scalable, it can become the key for governmental communities of interest
to identify themselves, by their registrations and subscriptions to
XML data elements, DTDs, and schemas.
- Results-Oriented Education and Outreach -- The registry
will provide evidence of the actual results being achieved by government
agencies. It will also provide a vital tool for making others aware
of potential partnerships to reduce the reporting burden imposed upon
the public while at the same time improving service to citizens.
In the meantime, the upgrade to our Web site will be a primary means --
together with our regular monthly meetings and various other meetings and
speaking engagements -- by which we pursue education and outreach.
- Projects/Tasks Benefiting Multiple Agencies -- The registry
will enable agencies not only to register their XML data elements and schemas
but also to discover those registered by others, thereby facilitating the
formation of communities of interest/practice toward the reconciliation
of needless inconsistencies and redundancies.
Additional tasks will be considered as additional needs are identified
in accord with the Administration's policies and priorities, as volunteers
step forward to address them, and as necessary resources become available.
Some of the organizations, activities, and initiatives which may offer
productive partnership potentials include:
- HR-XML,
EHRI
(formerly HR-DN), directory.gov, KM.gov and various XML-related directory initiatives,
e.g., DSML, Liberty Alliance, and
XNS
- XForms,
XFDL,
government
forms, implementation of GPEA, and information
collection burden reduction under the Paperwork Reduction Act
- WebDAV, DASL, NARA, DoD, OMB, CIA, ARMA, AIIM,
Web content management, and records management (DoD Std. 5015.2)
- recreation.gov,
GWoB, OGC, Fairfax County, State of New Jersey, NASCIO, and NACo
- Global Justice Network
- CENDI and dissemination
of scientific and technical information
- ANSI,
OMB Circular A-119,
NTTAA, and
XML-enabling
standards processes
- UDDI.org, FirstGov, Blue Pages, and LCSH
- XBRL and agency financial and GPRA reporting
- ebXML and SBA
- LegalXML,
USC,
and CFR
- Congressional XML
Working Group, testimony and legislative reports
- XMLNews
and agency newsletters and press releases
Regardless of which of these potential partnerships may or may
not prove productive, the registry/repository
will provide vital support for any initiative encompassing functions
and, thus, data elements, DTDs, and schemas that are "inherently governmental"
in nature. If your organization may wish to engage in any of these
partnership activities, or if you have suggestions regarding others that
should be engaged, please contact Owen_Ambur@fws.gov
See also the background and introductory information, which together
with these tasks, constitutes our strategic plan.
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