Blog proposal
From Wiki.gc20.ca
| This template was cited on the GC20.ca blog here. Feel free to edit! |
Blog prototype links:
| {{{Department}}} | Department submitting the proposal |
|---|---|
| {{{Directorate}}} | Directorate submitting the proposal |
| {{{Division}}} | Division submitting the proposal |
| {{{Purpose}}} | Department-specific purpose for the blog |
| {{{Quote}}} | Relevant quote cited from documentation |
| LL: | "Lesson Learned", source for the insight. |
This document is a listing of pertinent information related to the discussion of the feasibility of developing and implementing a {{{Department}}} blog.
Overview
The {{{Directorate}}} is supportive of the development of Web 2.0 and collaborative tools. In the interests of better communicating the work of {{{Directorate}}} with the public service of Canada, the development and implementation of a blog is proposed. At this stage, the purpose, principles and policies guiding a {{{Department}}} Blog are being evaluated and considered for further revision.
A discussion meeting is proposed with the following outline:
Contents |
The blog is an external site, meaning it is intended for access as a public website by the public. As such, various policy requirements are applicable, and have been included in the development of this proposal.
Purpose
The {{{Department}}} is not part of the discussions happening online on the blogosphere. Bloggers are discussing the {{{Department}}}, without any discussions stimulated by or from the {{{Department}}}.
A blog from the {{{Department}}}, on a more refined topic such as best practices across the federal government, can significantly improve visibility of the {{{Department}}} among citizens, fellow federal public servants and allow us to disseminate information about {{{Purpose}}} to promote dissemination, stimulate discussion and get valuable feedback from our target audience without minimal added resources. (Reference)
Departmental level:
- In line with the {{{Department}}} policy:
{{{Quote}}}
Directorate level:
- In line with the Key Accountabilities of the {{{Directorate}}} Director General, {{{Directorate}}}:
{{{Quote}}}
Division level:
- In line with the Key Accountabilities of the {{{Division}}} Director, {{{Directorate}}}:
{{{Quote}}}
Principles
| Blog mission | {{{Purpose}}}
i.e.: To support the sharing of emerging practices in Web 2.0 across the government and make them accessible to Public Servants across the government of Canada, and to stimulate and support discussion of these emerging practices among public servants interested about emerging and accepted best practices across the government. This blog will make a special effort to identify and highlight discussion and review of emerging practices in Web 2.0 that may help Canadian federal public servants, while identifying and explaining emerging practices in Web 2.0 across a wide range of topics of interest. This blog is supported by a group effort by employees working with the {{{Department}}}, either from the {{{Department}}}, or the rest of federal government, or from the public working with the {{{Department}}} exposed to an emerging Web 2.0 practice. |
|---|---|
| What the blog is | A medium to engage the target audience to the discussion of emerging practices in Web 2.0 across the Federal Government, and if pertinent, how they are tied to the projects and programs of {{{Directorate}}}, to generate interest and to solicit pertinent feedback. They are discussed in a context relevant to public servants and to begin a discussion. |
| What the blog is not | A marketing or promotions outlet to passively disseminate information from a one-way channel. Information is not provided to inform, but to engage. Topics are not discussed from the viewpoint of what the {{{Department}}} wants to communicate, but in a way that is of interest to the public servant. (see " Risks: Litmus test criteria") |
| Blog audience | Federal public servants of the Government of Canada, past, present and future, and academics interested in Public Administration issues and the learning programs and projects of in progress by the {{{Department}}}. |
Policies
External to {{{Department}}} | |
|---|---|
| MAF: "Citizen-focused Service" | Point 3: "Extent to which public/client views/needs are considered when developing new services/programs/policies"
The Governor General blog was assessed as "Strong": The creation and use of the Citizens Voices blog ensures that the views and concerns of the public can be gathered; it also promotes dialogue and understanding of the issues that policy must address now and in the future. (source) |
| Content | All information is public, accessible publicly and subject to ATIP. Retention/disposition of records in accordance with IM policy. |
| CLF | The site works off a CLF theme in circulation among other Government of Canada departments, on the same WordPress blog platform used by the Privacy Commission blog. |
| Official Languages (bilingualism) | Following on the practice of the Privacy Commission blog, the site is built for parallel language blog postings on a dual install with cross-linking between the English and French language sites. |
Internal to {{{Department}}} | |
| Posting policy (suggested) |
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| Comment policy (suggested) |
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System specs
- Free, open source: no cost, no licenses, on standard server;
- Completely customizable, built on a free and open source platform LAMP stack common for website servers;
- Very common software, the most common blog publishing platform for server-hosted blogs;
- Completely administratable; admin interface with full controls;
- Same system in use externally by the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.
Implementation
Discussion pointsStrategy for content development. Is this for communications and/or marketing? Blogs run by communications and/or marketing become a repository of desired Press Releases, without stimulating discussion, unless the required mindset change occurs within the organization. (Please refer to various posts by Mike Kujawski who blogs on this exact topic.)
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ScheduleSite is developed as a pilot for 2 months, at launch having a bank of 8 posts already published, (2 months @ 1 per week = 8 posts). Month 0:
Month 1:
Month 2:
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RisksNot enough content to go up
Too much content to go up
Wrong information goes up
Aim: The blog is an opportunity for the {{{Department}}} and {{{Directorate}}}to get in touch with the target audience, and not a repository or marketing engine like the local Intranet or the Internet site. |
Challenge Areas
Need to:
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Other considerations
| Policy | |
|---|---|
| Technical |
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| Evaluation |
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