Energy unveils e-gov IDEA

The Energy Department kicked off an e-government strategy May 2 to improve how information technology is managed and used in the department.

Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said the Innovative Department of Energy E-Government Applications (IDEA) program will increase efficiency, improve resource management, simplify processes and unify information flow across business lines.

"We are committed to using information technologies to improve the service we provide to citizens, business, federal and state agencies," Abraham said. "We want to identify technologies that will help us reform the way the department conducts business."

Energy's chief information officer, Karen Evans, will head a high-level departmental task force that will develop an action plan and road map. The task force will identify action items to make improvements in four areas:

* Service to individuals/citizens (G2C): Deploy one-stop shops for individuals, including single points of entry to high-quality departmental services.

* Service to businesses (G2B): Reduce the burden on businesses by using common standards and consolidating redundant reporting requirements.

* Service to intergovernmental institutions (G2G): Make it easier for states and localities to meet reporting requirements and participate with the federal government in citizen services while enabling better performance measurements, especially for grants.

* Internal efficiency and effectiveness: Improve performance and reduce costs of departmental administration by using e-business best practices in areas such as supply chain management, financial management and information technology investment.

Energy aims to complete and approve the action plan and road map in June.