Meeting the Open Data mandate

Citizens’ demand for access to public information continues to grow. Particularly around Open Data Day, Feb. 21, there will be a lot of attention focused on how this burgeoning global Open Data movement is forever changing the way government agencies share information and citizens shape the policy decisions that impact their daily lives.

When you think about it, Open Data is really an extension of the information revolution unfolding in front of our eyes every day. As consumers, we’re accustomed to instant access to all types of information practically every kind of information ― but it can still be frustratingly difficult to find basic information on the web about government services, the allocation of public budgets or test scores for neighborhood schools.

Fortunately, this situation is improving. Governments at every level, with strong support from nongovernmental and nonprofit organizations, have launched transparency initiatives aimed at improving access to public data and increasing opportunities for citizen participation in decision making. President Obama signed an executive order directing several federal agencies to make government-held data more accessible as a means of promoting civic engagement, innovation and economic opportunity.

Similarly, government leaders in 65 countries are helping make transparency a reality through their involvement in the Open Government Partnership initiative. Governments across the globe, from the United States to the United Kingdom and Kenya, have launched open data portals.

Microsoft believes that technology empowers each of us to do great things. We are particularly excited about the potential for civic technologists to bring creative solutions to some of the most intractable problems facing communities. We are also helping many government entities worldwide to “open up” their data repositories. One example is CKAN on Microsoft Azure, which provides government organizations with a comprehensive, open source repository for sharing open data.

The benefits are clear. Citizens benefit from a new level of transparency and real-time information. Governments can tout increased engagement with their constituents and efficiencies in administration. Developers and designers in the emerging field of civic technology are seizing these new opportunities to innovate and create value-added applications.

It is also worth acknowledging the challenges that civic leaders face in opening government data sets. These challenges include aggregating data across disparate systems and meeting consumer quality expectations from citizens despite shrinking budgets, all while maintaining appropriate information security standards.

Getting Citizens to Engage

Publishing government data is one thing; getting citizens to use it is another. To encourage engagement from individual citizens, private companies and other organizations, make sure your portal is:

Valuable in the first place. Budgets, including subcontractor payments, are highly sought-after data because they’re meaningful to peoples’ lives. Work towards releasing the most-demanded datasets, rather than racing to increase the total number available.

Populated with machine-readable datasets that are useful, not just easy to release. This allows developers to incorporate open data into other products, and reach many more citizens in the process.

Designed with the citizen’s experience in mind. Tools such as maps, mash-ups, and visualizations can make data easier to understand, such as the City of Zagreb’s Open Data site.

Publicized so there is more awareness among citizens.

Improved constantly based on feedback from the data’s users.

For detailed guidelines, the World Bank’s Open Data Toolkit, the United Nations’ Open Government Data for Citizen Engagement and Make Web Not War’s Open Data Field Guide are all helpful resources for technologists and policy makers. If you’re just beginning to consider how to open your data, take a look at US Open Data Institute’s guide.

Making open data meaningful

One way to make data more meaningful is by using apps that provide great data visualization tools. In greater Manchester, England, the government transportation department opened up its data. In one weekend, more than 100 local developers using Microsoft Power BI for Office 365 generated a variety of new travel apps for visitors and residents. Manchester attracted these app developers by hosting a 48-hour hackathon — similar to the ones being held in more than 100 cities around the world this weekend on Open Data Day.

Last year’s Open Data Day Toronto brought together over 400 people to show citizens how open data can solve real problems. Advocacy groups, including Better Budget TO, Affordable Housing, Cycle Toronto, Education at West Humber Collegiate Institute and Canadian Abilities Foundation, presented social issues to be addressed. Hearing directly from those in need inspired the community to extend their support far beyond that weekend: The teams continued to work and solve these problems through monthly #HackGoesOn events.

Communities can hold competitions, join in community initiatives like Make Web Not War or build relationships by attending developer meet-up groups. For more ideas, check out the Make Web Not War’s Open Data Field Guide.

Creating Value for Governments

Open data isn’t just about publishing government data for citizen use. It’s also about creating value for governments. Gartner analysts Andrea Di Maio and Rick Howard recommend that leaders open up data that improves internal decision making and develop internal applications, such as mobile apps for employees that increase productivity. Government efficiency also will improve through cross-agency data sharing, both between internal agencies and with other organizations.

Since 2011, the number of countries participating in the Open Government Partnership has grown from 8 to 65. Each of them is committed to making their government more open, accountable and responsive to citizens. International organizations like The World Bank are making big investments to help open data’s benefits spread all over the world. Wherever you are, I urge you to forge ahead in your efforts to open up your data. You’ll forward societal ideals like transparency and accountability — and reap significant economic gains.

To join in local Open Data Day events in Boston, New York, Chicago, Seattle and Silicon Valley, visit Microsoft’s local blogs or visit OpenDataDay.org.

To read more about Microsoft’s Open Government efforts, please visit the Microsoft in Government site.

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