Implementing XML is a technical undertaking, but it occurs within a larger organizational environment that contains many layers including:

• technical infrastructure (hardware, software, networks),
• business processes (how work gets done, workflow for getting content to the Web)
• organizational setting (executive sponsorship, stakeholders, warrants, mandates, accountability/ownership issues), and
• program, policy and politics (information use, information sharing, confidentiality, regulatory, statutory, best practice.)

Figure 5. Layers of Complexity Surrounding Government IT Initiatives.

Understanding the overall project from these multiple perspectives will guard against applying a technical solution without first understanding the full context within which the solution must live. Implementing XML for Web site management may require a change in how people work, the tools they use, or the functions they perform. Changes to these areas may require a policy change or an organizational change. This type of change may require executive support and sponsorship. The success of the XML implementation depends on the successful implementation of these personnel, policy, and management commitments.

Making Smart IT Choices provides several “tools” to help you gain a better understanding of this complex environment. Two of the tools that were particularly useful during the XML Testbed project are:

• Strategic Framework, which helps you to identify the resources, partners, and innovations that can contribute to a successful XML implementation.
• Stakeholder Analysis, which helps you to identify the individuals and groups who are affected by or have influence over your XML initiative. Every project needs a careful assessment of stakeholders in order to understand who cares about it, how they can affect it, and how they will be impacted by it.