Our Work

The Energy Information Agency (EIA) of the U.S. Department of Energy has long been the gold-standard source for energy data, literally driving markets with its releases. Like many federal agencies, its internet strategy evolved organically. While not a laggard, EIA was not a leader, and its highly decentralized management model created challenges in branding, efficiency, and innovation.

As a part of an extensive, five-year strategic web services planning effort, Forum One helped EIA develop a management and governance strategy to incorporate online strategies into daily operations, increase the prominence of its online services, and reposition EIA as a leader in internet communications. Quick implementation of such a plan is not only impossible, but also is counterproductive. Changes need to be introduced carefully over time to allow for mid-course adjustments or corrections. Therefore, our strategy included an organizational change management plan with a three-year implementation road map for new communication tactics and ongoing education. Our plan also called for the dissemination of a broad set of metrics to help EIA staff understand priorities and demonstrate transparency in decision-making. Our well-received plan was a practical approach for EIA -- allowing it to take advantage of some easy wins early in the process, while setting the stage for harder ones down the road.