agency information exchange functional standards evaluation

While the adoption and use of an information exchange framework such as the National Information
Exchange Model (NIEM) will not solve all of the challenges facing our CIOs, this report shows that
several federal agencies have proven the use of NIEM has a critical part in changing the dynamic. Using
NIEM as part of a broader data strategy supporting Enterprise Architecture means that the organization
has agreed to challenge the “Status Quo” and has started on a path for innovation, light technology and
shared solutions as outlined in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 25 Point Implementation
Plan to Reform Federal Information Technology Management. NIEM as a tool empowers agencies to
create and maintain meaningful data connections across their stove-piped information technology
systems as well as across their stakeholder base of other federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, and
international partners.
Contained within this document is a matrix illustrating planned or potential cross-domain opportunities
for connecting data through standardized information exchange throughout the federal, state and local
government and private sector. This report compiles information gathered from the agency response
submissions and discussions. Deploying more effective information technology is about seizing these
opportunities and breaking down the stovepipe systems. It’s about eliminating inter-agency mistrust by
improving transparency, data quality, and accountability through establishing authoritative sources for
information.
To date, 22 federal agencies and 4 Lines of Business have been able to identify business driven crossdomain
information exchange opportunities. Upon review of agency submissions, challenges exist in
four key areas:
• Establishing centralized governance. A few agencies have an existing information exchange model
with varying levels of governance in practice today. However, some agencies lack coordination
amongst the various components that make up the enterprise which results in semantic overlap
and lack of common standards.
• Developing and implementing information exchange guidelines. Although agencies have a defined Systems
Development Life Cycle (SDLC), only some have a defined information exchange development
process or ‘go-to’ standard for exchange development.
• Creating collaborative sharing agreements. Agencies do not always have the right points of contact
within external agencies – which can hinder interagency collaboration. In addition, agencies do
not have a complete understanding of what an external agency has available to share to enable
improved decision making and mission performance.
• Developing enterprise data management maturity. Data management and information exchanges are
essential to effectively exchange information across agencies. Sound data management practices
provide the architectural foundation for the information that is to be exchanged by making the
underlying data visible, accessible, understandable and trusted.
From the 26 submissions received, two agencies are currently implementing NIEM on an enterprise level.
Overall, twelve agencies or Lines of Business have committed to use NIEM and eight are pursuing
further evaluation. Of the six that have noted that they do not use NIEM, several opportunities exist for
future use of NIEM. These numbers highlight the imperative need for consistent policies, processes, and
governance capabilities as well as common definitions of data and information. As evident in the agency
responses, there are varying levels of maturity across the federal government regarding information
sharing and exchange. While some have robust capabilities, process, and policies in place others have
room to improve. For example, one best practice at the Department of Homeland Security requires the
use of NIEM as part of the Enterprise Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) as well as the Service
Oriented Architecture Technical Framework.
2