Abstract

This IDC Perspective is an introduction to the use of business-enabling APIs to create new program, services, and compliance opportunities; grow constituent audiences; and rapidly scale program services development capabilities. It is designed to help government CIOs and agency program line-of-business technology executives understand different types of APIs, how they can be used to increase social impact, and what key components are needed in a strategy to leverage APIs.

"For many government CIOs and their enterprises, mastery of APIs — first for internal uses and second for agency business purposes — will be a necessary competency — in fact, a price of admission to rapidly accelerating policymaker and citizen expectations," says Thom Rubel, public sector adjunct research advisor with IDC's IT Executive Programs (IEP). "Business-enabling APIs are a fundamental prerequisite to rapidly scaling and evolving agency strategies to meet pressing agency mission outcome needs."

Coverage