Thanks to the hundreds of people who contributed your thoughtful ideas, added to the discussions and helped identify areas of importance with your votes. Please visit the analytics page to read about the different trends, ideas, and traffic.
The purpose of the Federal Mobility Strategy is to provide direction in using mobile technologies to improve services to citizens, engage citizens in government, reduce costs, and increase employee productivity.
See Federal CIO Steven VanRoekel's White House Blog and the draft Mobility Strategy outline for more information about the strategy.
59 votes
I disagreeGoing mobile is an excellent opportunity for agencies to revisit their commitments to accessibility for people with disabilities. There is a great deal of synergy between best practices for mobile and the Section 508 / WCAG 2.0 standards.
41 votes
I disagreeDevelop government-wide shared services catalog that houses code, application programming interfaces (APIs), and web-services that agencies and the public can easily access and use. This will encourage cross-sharing of data, code, etc. (emulating forge.mil – “forge.gov”).
41 votes
I disagreeSince each agencies have web content that is being used on day-to-day basis, extending the web content to Mobile approach helps to easily adopt mobile strategy for any agency. Based on the Page-Views of the Web-Content it will be easy to prioritize the content portability to mobile.
30 votes
I disagreePlease keep these users in mind, when designing for Mobile apps/sites:
Blind
Low-vision
Mobility-Impaired (limited or no use of hands)
Deaf
Elderly
Low-Literacy
Each have unique needs when using Mobile apps/sites.
28 votes
I disagreeEstablish centers of excellence for common security services like app vetting, device/OS evaluations, certification and accreditation (i.e. mobile FedRAMP).
27 votes
I disagreeEveryone—specifically everyone with an internet-enabled device—is a sensor. All of these individuals have the capability to report events in real-time. As federal budgets are slashed, the Federal Mobility Strategy can incorporate the use of free, publically available information to uncover first-hand situation reports. Constant flow of geo-tagged information and images provides government the opportunity to collaborate ...more »
Everyone—specifically everyone with an internet-enabled device—is a sensor. All of these individuals have the capability to report events in real-time. As federal budgets are slashed, the Federal Mobility Strategy can incorporate the use of free, publically available information to uncover first-hand situation reports. Constant flow of geo-tagged information and images provides government the opportunity to collaborate with the public and allocate resources more effectively.
« less full details »
26 votes
I disagreeGovernment should foster secure, NIST compliant, collaboration and crowdsourcing technologies within and across government agencies to make information sharing more efficient and effective. A variety of information is collected across agencies, and agency-specific security limitations inhibit information transfer. Creating one collaboration platform accessible across agencies will increase speed of communication and information ...more »
Government should foster secure, NIST compliant, collaboration and crowdsourcing technologies within and across government agencies to make information sharing more efficient and effective. A variety of information is collected across agencies, and agency-specific security limitations inhibit information transfer. Creating one collaboration platform accessible across agencies will increase speed of communication and information transfer and significantly decrease the cost incurred by duplicative information and systems.
« less full details »
25 votes
I disagreeDefine and establish common infrastructure layers to support mobility (network security, device management, etc.).
25 votes
I disagreeConsider updating federal websites to incorporate responsive web design. It allows the arrangement of your content to change to fit the browser screen. Imagine a seamless user experience across federal websites and across a wide range of platforms. With responsive web design you get the same content on a laptop, a tablet, or a smartphone and it is displayed in a way that best suits the device you are using. This ...more »
Consider updating federal websites to incorporate responsive web design. It allows the arrangement of your content to change to fit the browser screen.
Imagine a seamless user experience across federal websites and across a wide range of platforms.
With responsive web design you get the same content on a laptop, a tablet, or a smartphone and it is displayed in a way that best suits the device you are using.
This would be a bold step that saves time and money by eliminating the need for a separate mobile version of a website and it would prevent a two-tiered user experience.
One note of caution: Does this affect the accessibility of the website (Section 508). In theory, it shouldn't but I don't know. This is uncharted territory for me.
For more information see: http://coding.smashingmagazine.com/2011/01/12/guidelines-for-responsive-web-design/
You can see it in action - online news websites and the Obama campaign website have already implemented it:
Just resize the browser screen on your desktop or try opening the page on a mobile device. For example: A smartphone might have a one column display, a tablet might have a landscape or two column layout, your desktop may have a three or four column layout.
« less full details »
25 votes
I disagreeGovernment enterprise-wide mobile strategy cannot be limited to simply purchasing mobile devices. Agencies and departments need to recognize the need to establish short- and long-term plans and strategies for mobile deployment and mobile application development. Without a strategy for effectively using mobile in the federal space, mobile application and device deployment will be inefficient and costly.
24 votes
I disagree75% of enterprises now have "Bring Your Own Device' (BYOD) policies, according to the Aberdeen Group. Given the power, availability, and relative affordability of today's smartphones and tablets, the Federal government cannot keep up on technology and shouldn't have to. Instead, provide standard mobile data management (MDM) security protocols to allow employees to use their own, privately owned devices. Agencies should ...more »
75% of enterprises now have "Bring Your Own Device' (BYOD) policies, according to the Aberdeen Group. Given the power, availability, and relative affordability of today's smartphones and tablets, the Federal government cannot keep up on technology and shouldn't have to. Instead, provide standard mobile data management (MDM) security protocols to allow employees to use their own, privately owned devices. Agencies should provide a monthly stipend to defer the cost of wireless services
« less full details »
22 votes
I disagreeThe civilian side of the federal government currently has no common policies or guidelines in place on how to evaluate, validate, protect or secure mobile technologies - including mobile infrastructure, mobile devices, mobile apps, mobile data practices, etc. I suggest that the government create reasonable security guidelines so that the important work of protecting the federal computing infrastructure is not duplicated ...more »
The civilian side of the federal government currently has no common policies or guidelines in place on how to evaluate, validate, protect or secure mobile technologies - including mobile infrastructure, mobile devices, mobile apps, mobile data practices, etc.
I suggest that the government create reasonable security guidelines so that the important work of protecting the federal computing infrastructure is not duplicated in every agency or is not done at all. We can have both reduced expenses and increased security with a little strategy and execution.
« less full details »
21 votes
I disagreeDesign government mobility products and services based on citizen and employee needs, behaviors, and desires.
19 votes
I disagreeOne of the best mobility strategies for the US Federal Government is to adopt a mobile policy that is device independent. By adopting standards like HTML 5, developers can develop once and deploy to multiple devices. This would protect the Government’s technology investments, and would provide the Government with the most flexibility in terms of dealing with new and unforeseen technology advancements. The mobile computing ...more »
One of the best mobility strategies for the US Federal Government is to adopt a mobile policy that is device independent. By adopting standards like HTML 5, developers can develop once and deploy to multiple devices. This would protect the Government’s technology investments, and would provide the Government with the most flexibility in terms of dealing with new and unforeseen technology advancements. The mobile computing space, is a rapidly changing environment, as evident in today’s mobile marketplace. We are seeing the decline of the Blackberry Device, which was once unthinkable, the rise in popularity for the Google Android platform, and the new emergence of new technologies like APPLE TV, and Google TV. The mobility marketplace is extremely competitive and dynamitic, making it difficult to foresee and predict what device or platform is the next “BIG THING”. So my suggestion, is to adopt Standards like HTML 5 with a “Device Independence” as guiding principal for government mobile policy.
« less full details »
17 votes
I disagreeApps that work well for alerting first responders, apps that work well for collecting information, apps that work well for citizens requesting services all have specific and even unique requirements in their supporting infrastructures. Acquisition, governance, and other strategies for common application across agencies need to reflect those differences intelligently to maximize benefits of standardization while minimizing ...more »
Apps that work well for alerting first responders, apps that work well for collecting information, apps that work well for citizens requesting services all have specific and even unique requirements in their supporting infrastructures. Acquisition, governance, and other strategies for common application across agencies need to reflect those differences intelligently to maximize benefits of standardization while minimizing incompatibilities with agency goals.
« less full details »
17 votes
I disagreeDevelop government-wide (vs agency-specific) policies, guidance, metrics, and tools to support and accelerate mobility adoption (one privacy policy, one accessibility policy, etc.).
16 votes
I disagreeStrive for reusability, simplicity, and platform-independence to the maximum extent practicable when developing mobility solutions.
14 votes
I disagreeCreate a Federal mobility reference architecture to enable adoption of common solutions (e.g., for BYOD).
14 votes
I disagreeDevelop an Innovation Center where Industry and Academia partners can come together in a live 'sandbox' environment to create and develop prototype solutions to address the US Gov's mission needs. This would bring the expertise and technology from the mobility community in infrastructure, devices, applications content and security. This ecosystem could help create, evaluate and validate service concepts in a very agile ...more »
Develop an Innovation Center where Industry and Academia partners can come together in a live 'sandbox' environment to create and develop prototype solutions to address the US Gov's mission needs. This would bring the expertise and technology from the mobility community in infrastructure, devices, applications content and security. This ecosystem could help create, evaluate and validate service concepts in a very agile way delivering tangible results faster for Government agencies to share.
« less full details »
13 votes
I disagreeEven in early draft form, a document like this that has the power to transform Government must address security at a fundamental level. If security is left to be bolted on by individual agency procurements, we'll end up increasing risks and costs. There should be some high level direction that the introduction of mobile must not increase the risks, and that a common set of standards (not products) across broad groups ...more »
Even in early draft form, a document like this that has the power to transform Government must address security at a fundamental level. If security is left to be bolted on by individual agency procurements, we'll end up increasing risks and costs.
There should be some high level direction that the introduction of mobile must not increase the risks, and that a common set of standards (not products) across broad groups must be used. This direction would be used to provide for security depth (i.e. encryption, mdm, meap, tcb) at the core of the dialogue.
That would be inline with the CloudFirst and BYOD efforts underway in agencies across the board, and make it easier to implement agency procurements in a safe and efficient manner.
« less full details »
13 votes
I disagreeThe mobile strategy needs to consider: 1) Who the audience is 2) What device(s) they have 3) What you want to achieve Different audiences have different expectations. Frequent users might like a app on their device from an app store. First-time or infrequent visitors will not download an app. They will expect to access with the web browser on their mobile device. Frequent users will want the navigation to be streamlined. ...more »
The mobile strategy needs to consider:
1) Who the audience is
2) What device(s) they have
3) What you want to achieve
Different audiences have different expectations. Frequent users might like a app on their device from an app store. First-time or infrequent visitors will not download an app. They will expect to access with the web browser on their mobile device. Frequent users will want the navigation to be streamlined. New users may need more information to help them navigate the site.
Targeting only a subset of available mobile devices will result in discrimination. The government shouldn't only target expensive devices.
Goals should be things like: reach America's youth, participate in social networks, and provide information to more people.
« less full details »
13 votes
I disagreeOnline forms need to be flexible enough to be displayed, filled out and submitted on a mobile device. Large PDFs intended for use on a PC only are impossible to use on a smartphone. Forms should be able to adapt to a mobile device and display in a mobile-optimized format.
11 votes
I disagreeIs the Federal government wants to truly go mobile, recommend eliminating all landline phones and replacing them with either employee-owned or government smartphones. This will not only save money, but make life easier for all Feds. Also, let's implement secure wireless systems to replace the old ethernet wired systems. This will allow more employees to work in less space, promote office-sharing, and provide true mobility ...more »
Is the Federal government wants to truly go mobile, recommend eliminating all landline phones and replacing them with either employee-owned or government smartphones. This will not only save money, but make life easier for all Feds.
Also, let's implement secure wireless systems to replace the old ethernet wired systems. This will allow more employees to work in less space, promote office-sharing, and provide true mobility for employees. This will also promote continuity of operations if Feds can securely access systems using any wifi hotspot.
« less full details »
10 votes
I disagreeDon't force the technology worker to use one brand for a SmartPhone (Blackberry, Android, MS Windows, Apple). Leverage what the user is already buying. Give the end user a set amount of funds to purchase technology every three years.
10 votes
I disagreeUnited Spinal Association wishes to emphasize the importance of the federal mobility strategy's recognition of accessibility and accommodation of mobile devices and apps to the functionality, productivity, independence and quality of life of people living with disabilities. Devices like the I-Pad and smart phones have already opened new worlds of communication and functional capacity to those with spinal cord injuries ...more »
United Spinal Association wishes to emphasize the importance of the federal mobility strategy's recognition of accessibility and accommodation of mobile devices and apps to the functionality, productivity, independence and quality of life of people living with disabilities. Devices like the I-Pad and smart phones have already opened new worlds of communication and functional capacity to those with spinal cord injuries and paralysis and offer some of the greatest promise for advanicng the equality guaranteed in law for those with disabilities. We urge attention to and inclusion of this user group as the Federal Mobility Strategy is further developed, implemented and refined .
« less full details »
Social Web