Digital Government Strategy Report for the Department of Homeland Security
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
Paragraph on customer engagement approach: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) leverages the Web Content Management (WCM) Executive Steering Committee (ESC), which is focused on streamlining and consolidating public facing websites via an open platform and open APIs. The WCM ESC serves as the leading governance body for DHS on open data, content, and web API policy. The WCM ESC is comprised of representatives from each of the Office of Public Affairs (OPA) within the department, and will make the final determination on the two first-move candidates to make compliant. Under the guidance of the WCM ESC, the Department developed a domain survey to capture key information about Component’s website. Each of the Component OPA representatives ensured information on the websites and APIs was encapsulated in the survey for records and decision-making. The Web ESC utilized the information in the survey to develop a recommendation on the first-move candidates to make compliant with new open data, content, and web API policies.
2.1.2. Prioritized list of systems (datasets)
System Name: National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS)
System Description: The National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) API provides a feed of National Terrorism Advisory System current alerts that can be used by developers to place this information in their own apps and web pages.
System Scope: both
Main Customer: Public
Unique Investment Identifier: 024-XXXXXXXXX--New Investment for FY 2014 Budget
System Name: FEMA Hurricane Evacuation Route Data
System Description: FEMA has released an API providing geospatially-enabled hurricane evacuation route data that can be leveraged by developers in their own apps and web pages.
System Scope: both
Main Customer: Public
Unique Investment Identifier: 024-XXXXXXXXX--New Investment for FY 2014 Budget
System Name: TSA Traveler Assistance
System Description: TSA MyTSA API provides TSA Security Checkpoint Wait Times, TSA Pre✓™locations, and Sunrise/Sunset times for all locations
System Scope: both
Main Customer: Public
Unique Investment Identifier: 024-XXXXXXXXX--New Investment for FY 2014 Budget
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
Paragraph on customer engagement approach: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) leverages the Applications and Services Councils (ASC), which is focused on organizational applications, services development, and provides DHS with leadership, guidance, and management of services to drive the customer engagement process. The ASC developed the initial survey template through collaboration with each of the Component representatives. Each of the Component representatives evaluated their ongoing pilots for mobile devices and mobile application over a 30 day period in order to identify the potential list of applications that could be optimizing via mobile services. The ASC conducted an initial evaluation of the systems to develop a recommendation to the Information Technology Services Governance Board (ITSGB). The ITSGB serves as the governance body for DHS on IT services, is led by the Deputy Chief Information Officer for the department, and will make the final determination two services that will be optimized via mobile services.
7.1.2. Prioritized list of systems (datasets)
System Name: MYTSA
System Description: Allows users to find security wait times, check security rules, etc.
System Scope: external
Main Customer: Public
Unique Investment Identifier: 024-XXXXXXXXX--New Investment for FY 2014 Budget
System Name: Border Wait Times
System Description: Mobile App that identifies the crossing time at US Borders
System Scope: external
Main Customer: Public
Unique Investment Identifier: 024-XXXXXXXXX--New Investment for FY 2014 Budget
System Name: SLT Dashboard
System Description: Provide leadership with mobile dashboards
System Scope: internal
Main Customer: Federal Employees
Unique Investment Identifier: 024-XXXXXXXXX--New Investment for FY 2014 Budget
System Name: E-Verify Mobile
System Description: Allows corporations that already subscribe to E-Verify a mobile option to check status of employees.
System Scope: external
Main Customer: US Corporations
Unique Investment Identifier: 024-XXXXXXXXX--New Investment for FY 2014 Budget
System Name: USCIS Customer Service Tools
System Description: Mobile apps for My Case Status Online, Find a USCIS Office, Find a Civil Surgeon, and e-Request.
System Scope: external
Main Customer: Public
Unique Investment Identifier: 024-XXXXXXXXX--New Investment for FY 2014 Budget
System Name: Rubicon
System Description: Allows instructors to perform field practical exercise evaluations and upload to student scheduling and administration system.
System Scope: internal
Main Customer: Federal Employees
Unique Investment Identifier: 024-XXXXXXXXX--New Investment for FY 2014 Budget
System Name: iCARE
System Description: Community Response data acquisition application for logging issues and activities during a disaster.
System Scope: internal
Main Customer: Federal Employees
Unique Investment Identifier: 024-XXXXXXXXX--New Investment for FY 2014 Budget
System Name: PDA
System Description: Preliminary housing damage assessment application to assist general public affected by the disaster declared area.
System Scope: internal
Main Customer: Federal Employees
Unique Investment Identifier: 024-XXXXXXXXX--New Investment for FY 2014 Budget
System Name: ACE
System Description: Individual Assistance Housing Inspection's Automated Construction Estimator to assist general public affected by the disaster declared area.
System Scope: internal
Main Customer: Federal Employees
Unique Investment Identifier: 024-XXXXXXXXX--New Investment for FY 2014 Budget
System Name: TRIP Mobile
System Description: Enabling TRIP to be displayed on mobile devices.
System Scope: external
Main Customer: Public
Unique Investment Identifier: 024-XXXXXXXXX--New Investment for FY 2014 Budget
4.2. Establish an agency-wide governance structure for developing and delivering digital services
Overall Status: completed
Paragraph on Governance: In response to the May 23, 2012, Presidential directive entitled Building a 21st Century Digital Government, and to comply with OMB defined Milestone 4.2 – ‘Establish an agency-wide governance structure for developing and delivering digital services’ The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Chief Information Officer (CIO) has created the Digital Government Strategy Senior Advisory Council (DGSSAC) with the mission of developing and implementing digital services. Starting in 2010, DHS has implemented a scalable, tiered governance structure that establishes distinct roles and responsibilities from the program through the department. The DGSSAC will conform well within the DHS defined vision for its information technology (IT) governance, acting as the Executive Steering Committee for all programs delivering digital services and managing data. The DGSSAC will work at the direction of the Information Technology Infrastructure Services Governance Board (ITSGB) with leadership and staff from the Office of the CIO, along with corresponding Component representatives, to develop a unified approach to governing the Department’s digital strategy in accordance to Executive Order 13571 and OMB guidance. The DGSSAC will establish and Implement the Department’s approach to Digital Government Strategy and will establish specific, measurable goals for delivering better services at a lower cost and set department-wide policies in required areas. The DGSSAC has been chartered (Attachment - U.S. Department of Homeland Security Information Technology Infrastructure Services governance Board Digital Government Strategy Senior Advisory Council Charter ver 1.0) The Charter is expected to be signed November 16, 2012. A working group has already been formed and is presently meeting to coordinate Digital Government Strategy deliverables as well as work to schedule and facilitate the first meeting of the DGSSAC, target date December 2012.
URL to Governance Document: http://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/digital-strategy/Digital-Government-Governance-Charter.pdf
5.2. Develop an enterprise-wide inventory of mobile devices and wireless service contracts
Overall Status: completed
5.2.1. Develop wireless and mobile inventory
Bureau/Component: DHS
Inventory Status: completed
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:
Percent of websites covered: 15%
URL of performance data: www.dhs.gov/metrics This site is still in the development stage. Upon completion, it will include performance data for all top level DHS sites
8.2.2. Implement customer satisfaction tool
Describe Implementation: Six (18%) of DHS sites have a customer satisfaction measurement tools
URL of performance data: www.dhs.gov/metrics This site is still in the development stage, but upon completion, it will include customer satisfaction data for all top level DHS sites
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: DHS continues to support managing information and data as an asset through Enterprise Architecture and specifically through the Enterprise Data Management Policy MD103-01 and the Data Management Working Group (DMWG). The DMWG provides collaboration and governance over the information developed and shared by the Components of DHS. This organization reviews, approves, and shares responsibility for DHS data standards, data management best practices and exposing new and changed data assets. In 2013, DHS is updating the Systems Engineering Life Cycle (SELC) to incorporate additional data management practices for sharing and safeguarding information. Incorporation of new data dissemination, data quality and information sharing requirements in the SELC highlight how DHS is promoting interoperability and openness in the information life cycle. Another way DHS promotes interoperability and openness in the SELC is through the use of the National Information Exchange Model (NIEM) and new metadata tagging efforts being developed for data aggregation and Big Data. DHS requires Components and Contractors supporting DHS development to follow the DHS Systems Engineering Life Cycle. By incorporating new requirements in the SELC for data dissemination, information sharing and data quality, DHS can enforce initiatives to open up and safeguard data to the public. In addition to efforts around the SELC, DHS is promoting through its Web Council additional visibility and discussion of what information is currently being exposed through web pages and what additional information can be exposed using web and mobile applications. DHS has also expanded the Enterprise Management Policy and Information Sharing Policy to make information more available to partners and the public.
1.2.3. Operationalize Enterprise Data Inventory
Number of datasets in the Enterprise Data Inventory:
Number of systems whose datasets are in the Enterprise Data Inventory:
Number of datasets that can be made publicly available:
Number of datasets listed on the /data page:
Number of released datasets listed on the /data page:
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: completed
2.2.1. Publish plan on future activity
Describe policy: Data dissemination is the process for releasing data for consumption by external partners or the public. Data dissemination strategies are used to effectively communicate to the data users the need to make known its availability. Data and information can be disseminated in various formats designed to suit the needs of particular users. The objectives of the data dissemination strategy are to maximize the response of the system to user needs when developing information or data dissemination, increase access to information by disseminating directly to other Components and/or organizations, and standardize Information Sharing exchanges to use common data exchange specifications like NIEM to improve consistency and understandability. Delivery mechanisms for data to be disseminated are based on the needs of the consuming user. • Information products: Information products like reports, spreadsheets, notifications and memos are the most commonly accepted forms for this type of data dissemination. Traditionally, these data dissemination products were known to users of the associated systems. Today, wider knowledge of these products is required and the EAIR provides a central source for discovering their existence. The SELC will require metadata for each of the products to be presented for inclusion into the EA Information Repository. The metadata profile for each information product will improve understandability and visibility of the content, structure and intended uses. • Data Access and Delivery Services: Utilizing services to enable delivery of data increases its flexibility and scalability to the user community and other systems. In order to support this capability, systems will need to include data access and delivery services within their architectural framework. System designers will also have to determine the level and quality of service being provided so consumers can understand when the data will be available. Each data access service will require metadata to be defined and made available to consumers. Using the National Information Exchance Model (NIEM) to develop the metadata will improve consistency and understandability. • Web and mobile apps: Utilizing application program interfaces either through web or mobile apps improves the opportunity for consumers to get machine readable versions of the data for consumption or ingestion into their systems or application. Data.gov and the DHS Digital Strategy guidelines require new data sets to be developed with this capability. The DHS data dissemination strategy supports the 21st Century Digital Government Strategy, through the completion of several milestones. The Digitial Government Strategy requires the Department to make high-value data and content available using Web APIs (milestone 2.2), and also to improve customer facing services for mobile use (milestone 7.2). Data Dissemination is a critical component in the identification of additional high value assets. DHS has a System Engineering Lifecycle (SELC) that provides a framework for development using proven systems engineering principles to ensure DHS capabilities are efficiently and effectively delivered. The DHS SELC is designed to ensure that appropriate activities are planned and implemented in each stage of the life cycle to increase the success of each program and its projects. Each stage has a defined set of activities, associated documents to record the results of the activities performed, and reviews at the appropriate points in the lifecycle. DHS OCIO is currently conducting Program Assessment Reviews, which provide leadership with an extensive deep-dive into program activities and assess program’s responses to the Earned Value Management, program artifacts, alignment with mission needs, and alignment with the DHS Enterprise Architecture. The Program Assessment Reviews have embedded specific criteria to support the Digital Government Strategy to categorize the DHS major programs that are exposing data to citizens or government entities, are seen as the “Go-To” or Service Provider for public facing information, have development efforts underway, and have adequate funding to support the development activities.
2.2.2. Make 2+ systems (datasets) available via web APIs with metadata tags
Name of system: National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS)
Description of system: The National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) API provides a feed of National Terrorism Advisory System current alerts that can be used by developers to place this information in their own apps and web pages.
Scope of system: both
Main Customers: Internal and External customers interested in leveraging FEMA data
Unique Investment Identifier: 024-XXXXXXXXX--New Investment for FY 2014 Budget
API Link: www.dhs.gov/ntas-api-documentation
Name of system: FEMA Hurricane Evacuation Route Data
Description of system: FEMA has released an API providing geospatially-enabled hurricane evacuation route data that can be leveraged by developers in their own apps and web pages.
Scope of system: both
Main Customers: Internal and External customers interested in leveraging FEMA data
Unique Investment Identifier: 024-XXXXXXXXX--New Investment for FY 2014 Budget
API Link: http://gis.fema.gov/REST/services/FEMA/EvacRoutes/MapServer
Name of system: TSA Traveler Assistance
Description of system: TSA MyTSA API provides TSA Security Checkpoint Wait Times, TSA Pre✓™locations, and Sunrise/Sunset times for all locations
Scope of system: both
Main Customers: Internal and External customers interested in leveraging FEMA data
Unique Investment Identifier: 024-XXXXXXXXX--New Investment for FY 2014 Budget
API Link: http://www.dhs.gov/MyTSA-API-Documentation
5.3. Evaluate the government-wide contract vehicles in the alternatives analysis for all new mobile-related procurements
Overall Status: completed
Describe Implementation: DHS’s digital Government strategy consolidates numerous wireless sources into one and also cuts costs by nearly half. DHS is taking a bifurcated approach. On April 17, 2013, DHS awarded the DHS-Wide Cellular Wireless Managed Services (CWMS) contract. Users throughout the Agency will transition from a wide variety of sources to this contract, which is estimated to save up to 50% over current rates. CWMS is FAR Part 8 Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) that provides for a full managed services solution for management of wireless devices and services from device procurement through issuance, to asset management and device disposal. The CWMS services include: Cellular wireless management portal Performance management and accountability Telecommunications management services Mobile device management Cellular wireless devices accessories and service Onsite support Unique web portal modifications Surge support In-Building wireless. The second part of the approach is to capitalize on government-wide contracts that might be forthcoming from the General Services Administration.
6.3. Ensure all new digital services follow digital services and customer experience improvement guidelines
Overall Status: completed
Describe Implementation: To gain a greater understanding of proposed solution alignment with customer expectation and feedback, DHS established the Web Content Management (WCM) ESC as the functioning executive body that is focused on external customer satisfaction measurement and visitors’ responses on their overall experiences. The data and customer satisfaction information collected through DHS ForeSee American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) survey is evaluated within the WCM ESC to identify challenges, to improve visitors’ experiences, and understand the trends throughout DHS. DHS plans to use performance measurements tools to make data-driven decisions on improving digital services by leveraging the leadership of the WCM ESC as well as building out its digital measurement infrastructure. In the coming months, DHS.gov and each of the other top level sites will have a public-facing site metrics page that displays some or all of the following information: Web performance metrics (Google Analytics data) Search engine and site search data (USASearch data) Descriptions of customer satisfaction survey results
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: completed
Describe Implementation: Data dissemination is the process for releasing data for consumption by external partners or the public. Data dissemination strategies are used to effectively communicate to the data users the need to make known its availability. Data and information can be disseminated in various formats designed to suit the needs of particular users. The objectives of the data dissemination strategy are to maximize the response of the system to user needs when developing information or data dissemination, increase access to information by disseminating directly to other Components and/or organizations, and standardize Information Sharing exchanges to use common data exchange specifications like NIEM to improve consistency and understandability. Delivery mechanisms for data to be disseminated are based on the needs of the consuming user. • Information products: Information products like reports, spreadsheets, notifications and memos are the most commonly accepted forms for this type of data dissemination. Traditionally, these data dissemination products were known to users of the associated systems. Today, wider knowledge of these products is required and the EAIR provides a central source for discovering their existence. The SELC will require metadata for each of the products to be presented for inclusion into the EA Information Repository. The metadata profile for each information product will improve understandability and visibility of the content, structure and intended uses. • Data Access and Delivery Services: Utilizing services to enable delivery of data increases its flexibility and scalability to the user community and other systems. In order to support this capability, systems will need to include data access and delivery services within their architectural framework. System designers will also have to determine the level and quality of service being provided so consumers can understand when the data will be available. Each data access service will require metadata to be defined and made available to consumers. Using the National Information Exchance Model (NIEM) to develop the metadata will improve consistency and understandability. • Web and mobile apps: Utilizing application program interfaces either through web or mobile apps improves the opportunity for consumers to get machine readable versions of the data for consumption or ingestion into their systems or application. Data.gov and the DHS Digital Strategy guidelines require new data sets to be developed with this capability. The DHS data dissemination strategy supports the 21st Century Digital Government Strategy, through the completion of several milestones. The Digitial Government Strategy requires the Department to make high-value data and content available using Web APIs (milestone 2.2), and also to improve customer facing services for mobile use (milestone 7.2). Data Dissemination is a critical component in the identification of additional high value assets. DHS has a System Engineering Lifecycle (SELC) that provides a framework for development using proven systems engineering principles to ensure DHS capabilities are efficiently and effectively delivered. The DHS SELC is designed to ensure that appropriate activities are planned and implemented in each stage of the life cycle to increase the success of each program and its projects. Each stage has a defined set of activities, associated documents to record the results of the activities performed, and reviews at the appropriate points in the lifecycle. DHS OCIO is currently conducting Program Assessment Reviews, which provide leadership with an extensive deep-dive into program activities and assess program’s responses to the Earned Value Management, program artifacts, alignment with mission needs, and alignment with the DHS Enterprise Architecture. The Program Assessment Reviews have embedded specific criteria to support the Digital Government Strategy to categorize the DHS major programs that are exposing data to citizens or government entities, are seen as the “Go-To” or Service Provider for public facing information, have development efforts underway, and have adequate funding to support the development activities.
7.2.1. Report on services
Service Name: TRIP
Service Description: Enabling TRIP to be displayed on Mobile Services
System Scope: both
Primary customers: Public
Unique Investment Identifier: 024-XXXXXXXXX--New Investment for FY 2014 Budget
URL of service: http://trip.dhs.gov
Service Name: Border Wait Times
Service Description: Border Wait Times
System Scope: both
Primary customers: Public
Unique Investment Identifier: 024-XXXXXXXXX--New Investment for FY 2014 Budget
URL of service: http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt/mobile.asp
Last updated May 5, 2013 at 7:29 am