Digital Government Strategy Report for the Department of the Interior

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

The Department of the Interior (DOI) will engage many of the customers mentioned above through a variety of methods including using our existing tools such as social media outlets. DOI will begin these efforts in mid-August. Also, DOI will incorporate any feedback we have received via the Digital Strategy page and email. Information collected through customer engagement will then be shared with senior leadership of the organization in order to make a final determination of the priority of developing the systems. DOI will notify customers of how their input was used and how it will help develop future plans.

2.1.2. Prioritized list of systems (datasets)

System Name: Real-time Earthquake Information

System Description: Provides real-time information for earthquakes around the world. Supports the Natural Hazards Mission Area - Earthquake Hazards Program. Data is from Global Seismographic Network (GSN) and Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS). A one-line summary is provided for each earthquake, and a detailed compilation of event-related data is provided with links to download each event-related product.

System Scope: both

Main Customer: General Public Scientists Engineers First Responders Emergency Services Coordinators Lifeline Operators Utility Operators Critical Facility Operators DOI and USGS Government Officials Other Government Agencies State Geologists Academic Partners Private Consultants Insurers Realtors Educators Media Students

System Name: CSS – TNM Reengineering Project

System Description: The National Map is a consistent framework for current geographic knowledge enabling the Nation to solve geospatial problems by providing public access to high-quality, geospatial data and information from multiple partners.

System Scope: both

Main Customer: Natural Resource Managers; Natural Hazards, Water, and Geological Science Communities; General Public; Federal, State, Regional, local, and Tribal agencies

System Name: NWIS (National Water Information System)

System Description: The USGS investigates the occurrence, quantity, quality, distribution, and movement of surface and underground waters and disseminates the data to the public, State and local governments, public and private utilities, and other Federal agencies involved with managing our water resources.

System Scope: both

Main Customer: Public, Cooperators, Government Agencies, private companies all of whom require water-related data.

System Name: National Wetlands Inventory (NWI)

System Description: The NWI data management and distribution (required by Emergency Wetlands Resources Act and OMB A-16) provides all Federal, State, Regional, local governments, Tribal agencies, educators, researchers and the public with online wetland maps and supporting data. Currently data are available for 73% of the conterminous U.S., 35% of Alaska and 100% of Hawaii. Digital data are also available for the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, and Saipan. FWS has modernized its geospatial services to meet growing demands for wetlands data. The Wetlands Geodatabase and Wetlands Mapper, an Internet discovery portal, provide tools that allow the integration of large relational databases with spatial information and map-like displays. The Wetlands Geodatabase forms the Wetlands Layer of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) – one of 34 data themes of national significance administered by the Federal Government. It houses all FWS geospatial wetlands data, including data contributed by multiple partners and cooperators. Web services are provided for consumption by other GIS users and applications. High-end users include ESRI, EPA, Corps of Engineers, FEMA, USGS and NatureServe as examples. Under E-government, NWI is able to share information more effectively by making the wetlands data available in Geodata.gov, Data.gov, Geospatial Platform and ArcGIS.com.

System Scope: both

Main Customer: General Public; Federal, State, Regional, local, and Tribal agencies; Educators; and Researchers

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

The Department of the Interior (DOI) will engage many of the customers mentioned above to determine if this high-value data should be made available to the public via mobile. DOI will engage customers through a variety of methods including using social media outlets. DOI will begin these efforts in mid to late August. Also, the DOI will incorporate any feedback we have received via the Digital Strategy page and email. Information collected through customer engagement will then be shared with senior leadership of the organization in order to make a final determination of the priority of developing the systems. The DOI will notify customers of how their input was used and how it will help shape our future plans.

7.1.2. Prioritized list of systems (datasets)

System Name: Real-time Earthquake Information

System Description: Provides real-time information for earthquakes around the world. Supports the Natural Hazards Mission Area - Earthquake Hazards Program. Data is from Global Seismographic Network (GSN) and Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS). A one-line summary is provided for each earthquake, and a detailed compilation of event-related data is provided with links to download each event-related product.

System Scope: both

Main Customer: General Public Scientists Engineers First Responders Emergency Services Coordinators Lifeline Operators Utility Operators Critical Facility Operators DOI and USGS Government Officials Other Government Agencies State Geologists Academic Partners Private Consultants Insurers Realtors Educators Media Students

System Name: NWIS (National Water Information System)

System Description: The USGS investigates the occurrence, quantity, quality, distribution, and movement of surface and underground waters and disseminates the data to the public, State and local governments, public and private utilities, and other Federal agencies involved with managing our water resources

System Scope: both

Main Customer: Public, Cooperators, Government Agencies, private companies all of whom require water-related data.

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

Overall Status: completed

Paragraph on Governance: Digital Services at the U.S. Department of the Interior falls under the authority of the Director of Digital Strategy, per 110 DM 5.3 D. Verbal direction passes to bureau social media leads during regular meetings and/or conference calls. Written direction passes to DOI personnel via the DOI Social Media Guidebook Digital Media Guide. (Edited June 8, 2016)

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

Overall Status: in-progress

5.2.1. Develop wireless and mobile inventory

Bureau/Component: All DOI.

Inventory Status: in-progress

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

If Not, Describe Implementation: Having successfully implemented DAP on its top level domain, Interior continues to implement on its bureau and office websites.

Percent of websites covered: approximately 10%

URL of performance data: Google Analytics. Access limited to account holders.

8.2.2. Implement customer satisfaction tool

Describe Implementation: Interior is evaluating customer satisfaction tools at this time and has not selected a replacement for the Foresee service contract it once maintained.

URL of performance data: not available

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: In 2012, Interior instituted a bureau and office spend plan review process that allows Office of the Chief Information Officer staff to confirm that spending on new or existing systems and services is aligned with broader IT initiatives and Secretarial Order 3309, in addition to other requirements and mandates. This process has also allowed OCIO to successfully assess new systems for compliance with open data, content, and Web API policy and ensure alignment with both OMB and DOI Digital Services strategy.

1.2.4. Develop Data Inventory Schedule - Summary

Summarize the Inventory Schedule: The DOI Inventory Plan has four phases. The first phase, which ends November 30,2013, is focused on building a strong Foundation for data management by bringing together both IT and business specialists in a Data Service Team. The DOI Enterprise Data Inventory is also created. The second phase, which ends February 28, 2014, focuses on Structure. Processes for data stewardship in service of end users will be developed by the Data Service Team. The third phase, which ends march 31, 2014, focuses on Data as an Asset. DOI will develop a systematic way of discovering new datasets and new uses for current datasets, while at the same time moving towards managing data as services. Finally, the fourth phase, which ends August 31, 2014, focuses on Community. At this point, data and services should be provided as a packaged service to customers, and the data stewardship lifecycle will include outreach to and feedback from the end user.

1.2.5. Develop Data Inventory Schedule - Milestones

Title: Foundation

Description: The DOI Inventory Plan has four phases. The first phase, which ends November 30,2013, is focused on building a strong Foundation for data management by bringing together both IT and business specialists in a Data Service Team. The DOI Enterprise Data Inventory is also created.

Milestone Date: 2013-11-30

Description of how this milestone expands the Inventory: - Collect metadata through automatic harvesting and simple entry via web forms

Description of how this milestone enriches the Inventory: - Issue the DOI Open Data Memo in supporting M-13-13 - Form DOI Data Service Team with both business lead and data lead per Bureau/Office - Establish consumer feedback mechanism (issue tracker)

Description of how this milestone opens the Inventory: - Built the DOI Enterprise Data Metadata Repository - DOI CKAN implementation - Develop strategy for alignment of the metadata standards of ISO (ISO-19115:2003, Geographic Information), Data.gov and Project Open Data - Publish DOI Public Data List at doi.gov/data - Publish DOI Open Data Approach and FY2014 quarterly plan at doi.gov/digitalstrategy

Title: Structure

Description: The DOI Inventory Plan has four phases. The second phase, which ends February 28, 2014, focuses on Structure. Processes for data stewardship in service of end users will be developed by the Data Service Team.

Milestone Date: 2014-02-28

Description of how this milestone expands the Inventory: - Add additional datasets to DOI Enterprise Data Inventory

Description of how this milestone enriches the Inventory: - Publish DOI Data Resource Management Departmental Manual - Publish DOI Open Data Policy and Implementation Guide - Publish DOI Metadata Policy and Implementation Guide - Develop internal and external communication plan to share information and collect feedback - Develop and deliver data management training for DOI Data Service Team

Description of how this milestone opens the Inventory: - Publish DOI Data Release Process

Title: Data as an Asset

Description: The DOI Inventory Plan has four phases. The third phase, which ends march 31, 2014, focuses on Data as an Asset. DOI will develop a systematic way of discovering new datasets and new uses for current datasets, while at the same time moving towards managing data as services.

Milestone Date: 2014-05-31

Description of how this milestone expands the Inventory: - Develop a method for discovering unidentified datasets and linking existing datasets to new uses in a methodical way to support business goals - Add additional datasets to DOI Enterprise Data Inventory

Description of how this milestone enriches the Inventory: - Develop a method to increase the value of prioritized datasets by packaging and/or managing them as services - Provide basic analytics using DOI data for support of internal decision making

Description of how this milestone opens the Inventory: - Establish regular information sharing sessions on open data and data service delivery topics

For detailed answers to questions about datasets and data content, please contact the POCs listed for the dataset.  They are the experts who can help you. 

For general questions about DOI data, process, please use our Ideation Tool.

Title: Community

Description: The DOI Inventory Plan has four phases. The fourth phase, which ends August 31, 2014, focuses on Community. At this point, data and services should be provided as a packaged service to customers, and the data stewardship lifecycle will include outreach to and feedback from the end user.

Milestone Date: 2014-08-31

Description of how this milestone expands the Inventory: - Add additional datasets to DOI Enterprise Data Inventory

Description of how this milestone enriches the Inventory: - Based on user feedback, provide data and data products as a packaged service experience at doi.gov/data

Description of how this milestone opens the Inventory: - Plan a “hackathon” at DOI

1.2.6. Develop Customer Feedback Process

Describe the agency"s process to engage with customers: DOI has established a customer feedback site at http://usinterior.ideascale.com/ to begin the public forum on DOI data. This and other feedback will be incorporated into data service decisions. Methods for better customer input into DOI services generally will be a part of the mission of the Data Service Team.

1.2.7. Develop Data Publication Process

Describe the agency"s data publication process: DOI will develop a method for discovering unidentified datasets and linking existing datasets to new uses in a methodical way to support business goals. In collaboration with DOI security and PII professionals, the Data Service Team will develop a process for data release of those datasets that are not already public, and a method for determining when data are of a sensitive nature and should not be made public. The majority of DOI mission data is already available publically.

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: in-progress

2.2.1. Publish plan on future activity

Describe policy: Interior is committed to the continuous improvement and innovative application of modern automation, communication and collaboration technologies our employees, partners, collaborators, other agencies, and the American people expect of twenty first century Government. Web services and, increasingly, mobile technologies and applications have the power to transform the way we conduct and communicate the diverse missions of the agency's bureaus and offices. Interior has adopted the following core principles, which the agency believes will ensure the continued delivery of information using common APIs and consistently applied metadata tagging standards:

  • We will establish standards and development practices that support platform independence to enable flexibility and reuse of data and system functionality
  • We will promote the adoption of technologies that benefit our employees in support of the mission, while advancing our communication and collaboration capabilities with our partners and the American people
  • We will maintain a strong focus on risk based security measures that coincide with the sensitivity of DOI information
  • We will develop mobile capabilities that enable sound records management practices and legal discovery requirements
  • We will seek to leverage existing capabilities where practical and cost-effective
  • We will adopt a continuous, incremental improvement process into our strategy to monitor platform trends, innovative uses and best practices in service delivery and data protection
  • We will approach a mobile strategy as an enterprise initiative to be coordinated across the entire Department and with appropriate prospective partners
  • We will make content and high-value data available to our partners and the American people using common APIs, mobile-friendly applications and innovative Web services

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

Name of system: Real-time Earthquake Information

Description of system: Provides real-time information for earthquakes around the world. Supports the Natural Hazards Mission Area - Earthquake Hazards Program. Data is from Global Seismographic Network (GSN) and Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS). A one-line summary is provided for each earthquake, and a detailed compilation of event-related data is provided with links to download each event-related product.

Scope of system: both

Main Customers: General Public Scientists Engineers First Responders Emergency Services Coordinators Lifeline Operators Utility Operators Critical Facility Operators DOI and USGS Government Officials Other Government Agencies State Geologists Academic Partners Private Consultants Insurers Realtors Educators Media Students

API Link: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/feed/v1.0/

Name of system: NWIS (National Water Information System)

Description of system: The USGS investigates the occurrence, quantity, quality, distribution, and movement of surface and underground waters and disseminates the data to the public, State and local governments, public and private utilities, and other Federal agencies involved with managing our water resources.

Scope of system: both

Main Customers: Public, Cooperators, Government Agencies, private companies all of whom require water-related data.

API Link: http://waterservices.usgs.gov

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

Overall Status: in-progress

Describe Implementation: In late 2012, OCIO organized a team consisting of acquisitions, technical experts, and wireless contract managers from representative bureaus to formulate a strategy for the creation of one or more enterprise wireless contracts, with the goal of migrating or consolidating myriad bureau and office contracts into these. Though Interior has been heavily involved in GSA's Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative for wireless, it is exploring options and formulating an acquisition strategy with an intent to deliver consolidated enterprise wireless and device contract(s) to the Department at large by calendar year end, 2013.

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

Overall Status: in-progress

Describe Implementation:

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: in-progress

Describe Implementation: DOI"s Enterprise Mobility Strategy prioritizes DOI's customer base, recognizing the complimentary relationship between OMB Digital Government strategy and customer demand.

7.2.1. Report on services

Service Name: NPS National Mall

Service Description: Official National Parks Service app for the National Mall and Memorial Parks

System Scope: external

Primary customers: Public

URL of service: 

Service Name: NPS Chesapeake Explorer

Service Description: Official National Parks Service app for exploring parks and trails in the Chesapeake Bay region

System Scope: external

Primary customers: Public

URL of service: