Summary

In our work on the initial Open Government plan, the HHS Operating and Staff Divisions leveraged the capabilities of their programs and business processes to collectively improve our capabilities to enhance the benefits of transparency, participation, and collaboration for the public.  Most of our initial goals were achieved and many new opportunities to further broaden Open Government processes were discovered.  Our administrative practices and planning efforts have accommodated Open Government principles.  Our communication efforts through many avenues inside and outside the government have shed new light on how we address mission-related actions.  And our use of technology to enhance the principles of Open Government have extended the impact and increased the efficiency of efforts substantially.  One key strategy that contributed to our initial success was to embed the principles of Open Government in and across as many processes as possible – from the planning phases of projects, to design and execution, to the evaluation of them.  These things we have learned and will now apply in our path forward.

As we take the next steps with the new version of our Open Government plan, observers will note that there is a noticeable continuum from the initial plan.  This demonstrates that progress is being made in important ways.  There are many new opportunities unfolding, however, where our performance can improve and this plan captures them as well.  Readers will also note that we are intentionally placing more emphasis on collaboration and participation efforts with this plan.  In the coming months we welcome comments, ideas, and suggestions that can assist us in carrying out the initiatives described throughout this plan.  Our hhs.gov/open website will continue to be a place where ideas and reflections on this plan can come together to enable us to succeed in all of aspects of our Open Government endeavors.