This is a presentation from an open gov workshop held on March 15, 2010 at the USDA.

1. HUD Ideas in ActionU.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development March 15, 2010 Presenter: Tim McCarthy, Program Analyst /PMF Timothy.P.McCarthy@hud.gov

2. This space can be used to communicate with users of the site. Categories are based on the goals in the 2010 – 2015 Strategic Plan.

3. Employees can track the popularity of ideas in real time with various statistics. Great ideas will be address a problem and suggest steps towards implementation. Dialogue in the comments section often includes suggestions to improve ideas or discuss potential barriers.

5. The average visitor looks at over 4.5 pages per visit

6. 1,478 submitted ideasSite visits by week

7. Idea Lifecycle 5 The voting capability will capture the wisdom of the crowds and identify the best ideas. These ideas will then enter the review process to determine if they should be implemented. Idea is Highly Rated Idea is identified as a Hot Topic Idea Enters Review Process Idea is Submitted Idea is identified as a Quick Hit Idea remains on the site Idea does not receive many votes Note: Highly rated ideas will be the top X% in each category based on idea activity. Hot Topics could be Secretary or OMB initiatives and Quick Hits will be identified by SPM and Program and Support Offices. The number of Hot Topic and Quick Hit ideas will vary

8. Idea Lifecycle 6 The voting capability will capture the wisdom of the crowds and identify the best ideas. These ideas will then enter the review process to determine if they should be implemented. Idea enters review process 1) Strategic Planning and ManagementReview: Goal: Initial Review to ensure idea is actionable 2) Office Review: Goal: Program/Support Office review for viability and effectiveness 3) Cross Functional Review: Goal: Verify idea is in compliance with all rules and regulations if necessary 4) Implementation: Goal: Coordinate and oversee implementation of accepted ideas Idea will not be implemented and a response is provided on the site with an explanation

10. Support from senior leadership – This is necessary for building credibility but also driving people towards the site

11. Make small changes quickly – It is very hard to predict how the site will be used, small changes allow you to keep pace

12. Get feedback often – Our working team helped pre-empt many issues

14. Increased communications with the user community, including newsletters

15. Creation of a more formal moderation policy

16. Increased recognition for top users

17. Regular reporting to senior leadership

18. More implemented ideas!