As the regional focus group interviews are completed, the demand for information and planning updates will increase. The state interoperability Website suggested in Phase I is a perfect tool to inform stakeholders about the planning process. Encourage focus group participants to visit the site to learn more about current efforts in the state and available resources at the federal level. After completing the final focus group interview, post all reports on the site.
Lesson Learned: The interoperability project Website can support the project team by maintaining communication across the state while keeping focus group interviews and regional travel on track.
An increase in requests for information may arrive due to the marketing of the focus group interviews. Assign someone at the state’s central office of interoperability to update the Website so no single individual will be overwhelmed with responding to these inquiries. In Virginia, Website updates were handled by a student intern from a local university.