Open data as a governance tool

Nowadays, there is a reflection that goes through the global open data community about whether the current open data model is already exhausted, making necessary to go further with a new generation of openness. According to David Eaves, one of the greatest achievements in this first era of data opening has been that governments realize not only the growing importance of open data, but also the shortcomings they have in terms of correct data management in general. As was also discussed in the conclusions of the last International Open Data Conference, it is time to address data problem in a more general way and face the debate and reform related to data governance processes within the administration in general, finally achieving that the opening was an integral part of these processes.

The last Open Data Barometer addresses precisely the issue of data as a government way, where data opening cannot be considered just another project within the administration, but must be an integral part of it. For this goal, it will be necessary to carry out changes not only in data management policies, but also in the internal structures of the administration and the decision mechanisms. In short, we are talking about going beyond the pure formulation of policies, changing everyday habits. It will also be very important to know how to take advantage of the appropriate relevant moments that can help us in this change, such as the digital transformation that many administrations are currently carrying out. To that effect, the last Barometer edition suggest to act in three key areas:

1) Opening by default - Although it must be taken as a long-term objective, it also requires a series of continuous and very concrete actions to achieve cultural and structural change, including: Resources; staff; leadership; budget; political support; implementation strategies and schedules; and policies and laws that provide the necessary legal framework to guarantee access to information and data in an appropriate manner and, at the same time, ensure privacy protection.

For example, Japan has been planning its government's default opening for a decade through its global government open data strategy, which has been designed to make data into a valuable asset for citizens. They also have a high level body for internal promotion of data opening promotion that regularly reports on progress at both national and local levels.

2) Data Infrastructures - It is necessary to carry out a technical and organizational transformation to modify the work habits in the administration and thus achieve a sustainable data opening. Nowadays, data quality is still low and there is a lot of data missing, and use licenses are still a problem, although, in general, they have been improved in the formats. The main barrier to improve in this area is that, in general, the open data management is still practically “handmade”, made by small informal groups (or open data champions) that feed ad-hoc platforms for data cataloguing, instead of driving a complete transformation of data management tools and training for all those public servants who work with them.

For example, the UK digital services standard is a set of 18 criteria that public administration should follow in order to create effective services. Among these principles, which are applicable to the entire administration, there are several principles that also encourage information opening and exchange through the use of open standards and common platforms.

3) Publish with a purpose - The final success of any open data initiative must be measured in terms of its contribution to improving the lives of people and the whole society. However, nowadays it is still very difficult to find examples of collaboration between the government and civil society when facing data opening. There are some working groups but normally only involve experts in the field and, over time, they usually disappeared too.

For example, through the alliance for open contracting, a series of working groups have been established with participants not only from the government, but also from all sectors of society. The purpose of this method is to facilitate the publication of data on public procurement. That way, data are more useful for companies and citizens, also improving procurement processes themselves, efficiency and transparency. The initiative is having great success because of its proven usefulness. More than 40 countries have already adopted (or formally committed to) the standard.

Therefore, after a decade of open data, it is time to end this first generation of initiatives and give way to new and renewed actions that address the opening of data as an integral part of daily activity in the whole administration, taking the necessary measures for its sustainability over time.

Content prepared by Carlos Iglesias, Open data Researcher and consultan, World Wide Web Foundation.

Contents and points of view expressed in this publication are the exclusive responsibility of its author.