The persistence of outdated information technology infrastructure is one factor hindering agencies' ability to deliver open government programs, according to Jan. 25 a report (.pdf) from the IBM Center for the Business of Government.

Budget rigidity and a lack of resources, and a siloed, hierarchical organizational structure are also preventing federal agencies from delivering transparent services, write the report authors, Gwanhoo Lee, associate business professor at American University and Young Hoon Kwak, associate business professor at The George Washington University.

Agencies have been under increased pressure to make openness (and citizen engagement with open data) a priority--with possible consequences for noncompliance--under the Obama administration's open government initiative. Report authors express concern that this may lead agencies to take on too much, too quickly in an effort to meet agencywide expectations.

"Some agencies are not ready to deploy social media applications that require accessing and post­ing video files mainly because their network infra­structure cannot support the required formats," say report authors. "As a result, even if a pilot project proves successful, its scalability vis-à-vis the public is questionable."

The authors recommend agencies address technology as they are undertaking new initiatives: First by establishing enterprise architecture early in the process and later by integrating public engagement applications for more usable public-facing tools.

They also suggest that open-government program managers be systematic in the addition of new projects with an eye to information security and privacy. If security and privacy are not addressed or handled improperly it can lead to "public and governmental apprehension" that could "outweigh potential benefits" for transparency.

For more:
- see the report (.pdf)

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