Open data: strategic guide for its implementation and minimum datasets to publish

Spain is one of the most prominent countries in the opening of public sector data, according to the Open Data Maturity in Europe 2017 report - remember that our country ranks second in the ranking that measures the maturity and availability of open data in Europe, just behind Ireland. Although this is very positive, fruit of hard work, we must not forget that there is still a lot of public information that can be made available to citizens and reusers. But many organizations do not know how to do it.

For this reason, the  Federation of Municipalities and Provinces of Spain (FEMP) has published "Open data: strategic guide for its implementation and minimum data sets to be published". This guide seeks to be "the work plan regarding data opening and its reuse for all local administrations". That is, it provides a series of recommendations and guidelines for entities to publish their data in a useful and efficient way, facilitating access to information and its reuse.

Specifically, the report includes information on the following fundamental aspects when addressing an open data initiative:

• The legal framework, both European and Spanish, and the different local ordinances.
• The model map of an open data portal. The report details the basic components that a portal must have - such as the catalog, a simple search engine or the conditions of use - and those that are recommended - such as the SPARQL Service or the visualization tools-.
• The model of governance and roles, based on the Open Government principle. The text defines the functions of the different parties involved in the initiative and gives advice to fight resistance to change.
• The data opening model, from the identification of the datasets to be opened, to the portal publication, its dissemination and maintenance.
• The technological plan, that analyzes the different tools, platforms, formats and standards to be used, based on factors such as interoperability and security.
• The measurement systems that allow to determine if the offered data respond to the needs of the users.
• The training and dissemination plan¸ to identify the main characteristics of the professionals who should manage the portal and the profiles of users who will use it.
• A series of basic concepts that we do not always know how to differentiate.

This guide has been prepared by the Open Data Group of the Network of Local Entities for Transparency and Citizen Participation of the Federation, made up of local entities, universities, the ASEDIE association, freelancers, entrepreneurs, companies and institutions such as Red.es. The work of this group did not end with the publication of this guide, but continues to promote open data, with activities such as the identification of new data sets that allow homogenizing the publication of open data and facilitate its management. These datasets are shown in the following figure.