HUD's Web Management Operating Procedures

Section 2: General Procedures

M: Interagency Efforts

HUD Web Managers participate in interagency efforts, as appropriate, including cross-agency websites and interagency working groups that are looking at web content. In addition, all HUD Web Managers are encouraged to participate in the Web Content Managers Forum, a group of government Web Managers who meet monthly to discuss issues common to all and who share lessons learned and best practices through a listserv.

Web Content Managers Forum

The Web Content Managers Forum is a group of government Web Managers who are responsible for the content of our agencies' websites. Members come from Policy, Communications, Public Affairs, CIO, and Deputy Secretaries' staffs or other parts of the management arms of our agencies. HUD convened this group in October 2000 as a means for sharing ideas, challenges, lessons learned, and best practices in managing the content of government websites. Now, there are more than 700 members worldwide.

The Forum holds monthly meetings - on the third Thursday, from 10 - 11 ET. Normally, meetings are held via telephone so that members from all over the world can participate. At the meetings, Web Managers discuss issues that everyone is facing; exchange ideas, best practices, and tips; and develop strategies for solving problems. The Forum also has a very active listserv, which members use to seek suggestions, share successes and resources, and discuss problems.

The Forum is open to web content managers who are government employees, from any level of government: federal, state, and local. Since the purpose of this group is to exchange ideas among colleagues, we do not admit contractors or other private individuals to join.

The Forum is a great way for HUD Web Managers to learn what's going on in other government web management organizations. It's a real training opportunity. We encourage all HUD Web Managers to join the Web Content Managers Forum. To join, simply send an email to: webmanager@webcontent.gov.

Interagency Working Groups

In FY 2004, the Interagency Committee on Government Information (ICGI) established the Web Content Management Working Group to help them develop recommended web content policies, in compliance with the E-Gov Act of 2002. The Working Group wrote a highly-regarded report; and in December 2004, OMB issued new web management policies that reference the report and the website established by the Working Group to provide guidance on implementing the OMB policies and to provide other information and resources that government Web Managers need (the Web Content Managers Toolkit at www.webcontent.gov).

The Working Group is continuing to define common practices that can make U.S. Government websites the most citizen-focused and visitor-friendly in the world. It has established a number of Task Groups to work on such issues as usability, metadata, and governance. Members of the Web Content Managers Forum - the primary stakeholder group for the Working Group - can participate in most of the Task Groups. We encourage HUD Web Managers to get involved. To get involved, contact the Departmental Web Managers.

Cross-Agency Websites

A number of cross-agency websites have been developed among government agencies to help the public find information around topics and audiences. FirstGov.gov maintains a list of the known active cross-agency websites.

All participation on cross-agency websites must be coordinated with the Departmental Web Team. Though subject matter experts may be the primary HUD representatives, Web Managers should be aware of and monitor any cross-agency websites in which their organizations are involved. We want to ensure that HUD is represented by appropriate staff, that we don't make promises we can't keep, and that we feature links to any cross-agency websites in which we participate.

Cross-agency websites must comply with all laws, regulations, and policies governing federal public websites.

Webcontent.gov

One of the best ways to monitor interagency efforts and to connect with other government web managers is by visiting the Web Content Managers Toolkit (www.webcontent.gov) regularly.