Under Objective
2.2, Initiative 3, of the CIO Council's Strategic Plan, the XML Working
Group is charged with developing an online information resource (at xml.gov)
defining and documenting an evolving strategy and a set of tasks for the
effective and well-coordinated usage of eXtensible Markup Language (XML)
to support governmental functions. The deadline for this task is
September 30, 2001. (See p. 19, which is PDF p. 21, of the CIO
Council's Plan.) Please note the following conditions and constraints:
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In recognition
of the relatively new and dynamic nature of the technology, we have been
asked to develop an "evolving" strategy. Beyond the initial iteration
of the plan and set of tasks, no further deadlines have been specified
nor is "completion" of the plan contemplated in the sense that no further
changes can be anticipated.
-
Our strategy is
to be defined and documented at xml.gov. Our Web site is both the
embodiment of our strategic plan as well as a primary means of implementing
it. All of our significant accomplishments should be documented on
the site, meaning that it also constitutes a record by which to assess
the results we have achieved.
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There are no qualifications
for participation in the Working Group nor any mandate for anyone to do
so.
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The financial resources
available to us are quite limited.
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We are not a policy-making
body nor are we chartered to take on operational responsibilities.
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In accordance with
OMB Circulars A-76
and A-119,
whenever possible, agencies should use voluntary consensus standards developed
in partnership with commerce and industry.
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XML is a means
to an end, not an end unto itself.
-
Our strategic activities
should support the policy initiatives of the Administration, including
for example the Citizen-Centered
eGovernment Action Plan and OMB's information
quality guidelines.
-
Our current charter
expires on September 30, 2002. We should not assume that it will
be extended and should scope our objectives accordingly, while at the same
time considering how best to facilitate necessary followup and further
value-additive activities that may be warranted beyond that date.
As outlined in
our charter, our mission is "to
accelerate, facilitate and catalyze the effective and appropriate implementation
of XML technology in the information systems and planning of the Federal
Government." More specifically, we have been charged with pursuing:
-
XML Best Practices
and Recommended Standards
-
Partnerships with
Key Industry and Public Groups Developing XML Standards and Specifications
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Partnerships with
Governmental Communities of Interest to Accelerate the Delivery of XML
Benefits
-
Results-Oriented
Education and Outreach
As time, commitments,
and resources allow, we will identify explicit tasks,
deadlines, and performance measures. However, the results will only
be as good as the contributions received from our participants and stakeholders,
including you! See our Announcement
and Call for Participation.
Since every page of our site contains a mailto link for comments and suggestions,
you have no one to blame but yourself if you are not satisfied with what
you find here.
See also our
Site
Map and Completed Documents, particularly
Brian Hopkins' strategy discussion notes,
Scott Hoffman's best practices,
and LMI's recommendations
for getting started with XML. |