Information management and federal government agencies: case studies

Federal agencies face unique challenges when implementing information management access methods employing Web technology. Certain challenges such as cost, control, schedule, and management, are common to both commercial and government organizations. However, other challenges such as procurement processes, regulatory considerations, and national security issues, are unique to government organizations. Differences also exist with respect to the interests driving government information management programs. Economic interests primarily drive commercial development of data access methods. Government development of data access methods has additional motivations as well, such as national security interests, informing the public of government activities and information, or the unique needs of a particular government organization. These differences require unique approaches when supporting federal agency information management activities; approaches that may be agency or even program dependent. The paper provides several case studies of our efforts supporting federal agency information management using Web technology. We review the requirements posed to us by our federal clients, our approaches to meeting these requirements, the outcomes, and lessons learned applicable to future federal information management activities.