FCW Insider: Build-it-yourself open government

How should the Obama administration craft its strategy for a transparent government? With a transparent process, of course. That’s the word from the White House today.

On his first full day in office, President Barack Obama announced plans to issue an “open government” directive. The directive would be based on three main principles: transparency (in terms of government operations and data), participation (more experts involved in the making decisions) and collaboration (cooperation across government and with the public).

But rather than drum some ideas and draft a memo for comment, the administration is asking the public to assist with the process -- transparency and collaboration in action.

According to the White House blog, they are planning a three-step process:
http://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/open/blog/

* Brainstorming: Beginning now, you can suggest ideas for open government recommendations and vote on ideas suggested by others.

* Discussion: On June 3, the White House will host an online discussion of the best ideas.

* Drafting: On June 15, the White House will set up a wiki where the public can help draft the recommendations.

We’ll track the process -- and the ideas themselves -- at the FCW Insider.

Stay tuned. This should be fun.