The Department of Homeland Security is taking President Obama's words literally. Just as he wants to know what the citizens want, DHS is reaching out to harness them, too.

It's also a good blueprint for your agency, as it works toward the transparency envisioned by Obama and seeks feedback from the public on IT initiatives. DHS is looking for public comment in new ways to help them write a strategic review known as the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review, or QHSR, that is due in Congress in December.

"DHS intends to create a true national dialogue on homeland security," said QHSR guidance documents. Most of the areas of study deal with high-tech issues and could be a starting point for other agencies looking for public input, too.

Among them:

> Counterterrorism and domestic security management: Transportation security,critical infrastructure protection, cybersecurity, and weapons of mass destruction protection.

> Securing U.S. borders, which need plenty of IT tools to succeed.

> Strategic management of DHS.

For more on the DHS blueprint:
- check out this National Defense article