Just what is Gov 2.0? Gov 2.0 discussions run the gamut, from the hottest new technologies that promise to make government ‘cool,’ to in-depth scientific theories that study the nature of human behavior.
At Neighborhood America, we see Gov 2.0 as requiring a combination of all of these elements…none of which can live independently. To be effective, government needs to adapt the latest technology in order to connect with constituents. But government must also weigh those widely-used Web 2.0 applications with its distinct need for enterprise-strength security. And then, in order to be really effective, the social applications relied upon must align with the true science behind social networks and the way in which people interact.
Clear as mud, right?
Therein lies the reasoning behind our new Gov 2.0 Starter Kit, which is available for free on our website. The contents are designed to guide the reader through a gradual progression, from a basic understanding of Gov 2.0 terminology to more advanced ideation gained from our ten years of experience.
But the Neighborhood America Gov 2.0 Starter Kit is more than a compilation of our decade of experience serving both the public and private sectors. We have also drawn upon the strength of many (with full citations) who have made their research, insights and exceptional work available on the Web, including:
A series of blog posts will provide a peek at what’s included in our Starter Kit. Today I will begin with our intro article, ‘What is Gov 2.0? And how do I apply it?’ Designed for the newbie, this first article is the 101 for all things Gov 2.0.
What is Gov 2.0?
What happens when citizens are more involved in their government? For many in government, the thought conjures up visions of mayhem and complete loss of control. This view has been recently reinforced as we’ve watched the well-intentioned town hall meetings on healthcare reform turn into a media frenzy, with accusations of limited access, hand-picked audiences, and in some cases angry confrontations between citizens and their elected officials. It’s enough to make public servants run for cover and refuse to conduct these high-profile public meetings – as many have.
These scenarios vividly illustrate what Gov 2.0 is not. It is not a vehicle for chaos, nor does it disrespect the need for structure in order to uphold the integrity of government. Rather, the intent of Gov 2.0 is to create more effective government.
How can we in government leverage the contributions of our citizens, stakeholders and employees to make better decisions and create more efficient government processes? By achieving the goals of Gov 2.0, which include:
· Better problem solving
· Reduced costs
· Innovation
· Stronger relationships
· Increased transparency
· Trust
Applying Gov 2.0
Gov 2.0 technologies provide the ability to tap constituents for their input, fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. Granted, the prospect of gaining MORE citizen input within our current governmental processes may initially conjure up visions of mayhem. But in fact, Gov 2.0 can make government’s job easier and more efficient – not harder. An enterprise-appropriate Gov 2.0 solution helps to sort through the feedback and bring the best ideas forward, enabling government to focus on relevant input and those ideas that demonstrate the most promise of success.
From the academic intellect to the everyday citizen struggling to live within the rules and regulations that impact daily life, Gov 2.0 leverages this collective knowledge and enables a return to a government by the people, for the people.
As reported in a recent blog post by Dion Hinchcliffe, Vivek Kundra, the nation’s first CIO, captures the essence of Gov 2.0:
“We’ve got to recognize that we can’t treat the American people as subjects but as a co-creator of ideas. We need to tap into the vast amounts of knowledge… in communities across the country. The federal government doesn’t have a monopoly on the best ideas.”
