Benefits of Open Government Data (Expanded)

VisibleGovernment.ca Benefits of Open Government Data

Another Type of Social Media: Publishing Structured Data [2]

Graphic generated by Redkid.net

Web-oriented Architectures: “have a much greater potential effect on the ability to transform government than anything else in the Web 2.0 world.” - Gartner, 2007 The E-Government Hype Cycle Meets Web 2.0

Publishing Structured Data Visualization Feeds • Makes it easy to find new • Ability to subscribe to patterns. interesting data • Data streams can be ‘mashed’ in new ways. Collaborative Crowdsourcing Organization • Combines skills and input of • Tagging, Voting, Sharing large numbers of people

• Governments publish Governments data streams publish data streams • 3rd parties create tools for analysis and oversight 3rd Issues are Party Citizens monitor data • Citizens collaboratively resolved Tools streams monitor their government • Citizens detect issues, Issues are detected give feedback • Issues are resolved

Open Systems Allow External Contribution.

Goldcorp 1999: Struggling Vancouver company Early test results showed gold deposits After years of searching: no gold found From Wikinomics, by Dan Tapscott [3]

Golden challenge unearths new ideas: Globe and Mail, April 2007.

[The Goldcorps President] realized that the uniquely qualified minds to make new discoveries were probably outside the boundaries of his organization, and by sharing some intellectual property he could harness the power of collective genius and capability [4]

What if governments took the same approach?

Vivek Kundra Former CTO, District of Columbia [20]

 Changecamp Ottawa ▪ Ottawa City Hall, May 16  Changecamp Vancouver ▪ June 20 & 21st

Citizens can do more than code websites...

structured govt. data + citizen expert groups some examples...

1st Year Results: •2000 Citizen Reviewers • Avg. Time / Reviewer / Patent: 6hrs

Easy to File a Report

Rewarding •25,000 Problems reported • 8,000 Fixed

A recent US Congress bill Groups for Groups bill against bill

Votes Donations

Publishing Structured Data Visualization Feeds • MAPLight makes relationship • MAPLight is a mashup of between money and votes data streams from different visible. sources. Collaborative Crowdsourcing Organization • Thousands of journalists, • Advocacy group tags advocates, and citizens can donating companies as browse data and flag issues. belonging to interest groups.

Open Systems Make Failure Free. * paraphrasing Clay Shirky. http://www.flickr.com/photos/cobalt/1308955915/

Where’s the best solution?

It’s hard for governments to experiment.

There’s lots of people watching. [5]

There’s lots of rules. [6]

“An online compliance checklist for designers of government websites identifies no fewer than 24 different regulatory regimes with which all public government web sites must comply.” -David Robinson, Princeton Center for Information Policy. “Government Data and the Invisible Hand”

Let others experiment for you. * Save tax money. [7]

Regulations.gov • Launched • Re-designed • Limited Search • Re-launched • Hard to Use • Added RSS Feeds 2003 2008 (+few months) • Pared down interface OpenRegulations.org • Easy to navigate *From: Government Data and the Invisible Hand, David Robinson, Princeton Center for Information Technology Policy.

Open Systems Create New Markets. [8]

Cisco: 127 Acquisitions in 15 Years [9]

New Opportunities: Visualization Analysis Community Mgmt. Combining Data Sets Data Mining Niche Markets [10]

Be like Cisco. Buy the best solutions. Open source them. Create an expanding base of re-usable software. [11]

An Architecture for Open. [12]

OLD NEW *From: Power of Information Task Force blog, June 2008.

Access Treasury Board Reporting Department Reporting Auditor General Access *From: Government Data and the Invisible Hand, David Robinson, Princeton Center for Information Technology Policy.

An Architecture for Open Access External Treasury Groups Board Reporting Department Reporting Auditor General* External Groups Access * Save tax dollars.

Open System Roadblocks. [13]

Civil servants often feel they live in a fishbowl.

“No one was ever promoted for disclosing information.” -US Government Employee. OMBWatch, Towards a 21st Century Right To Know Agenda

Open systems can make heroes. Not just scapegoats. [14]

Estonia: Government document repository entirely open to public. - Stephen Clift, DemocracyOnline* * http://rebooting.personaldemocracy.com/node/52 [18]

Cost of Software Defect: Time Introduced vs. Time Detected Time Detected Require- Architec- Construc- System Post- ments ture tion Test Release Require- 1× 3× 5–10× 10× 10–100× ments Time Architec- Introduced - 1× 10× 15× 25–100× ture Construc- - - 1× 10× 10–25× tion McConnell, Steve (2004). Code Complete (2nd edition ed.) Microsoft Press. pp. 960. ISBN 0-7356-1967-0. Also here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_testing

Let the public see your successes as they’re happening. • Goals achieved • Innovative services • Efficiency improvements

Be a hero.

Change the reporting cycle. Something that everyone knows about isn’t news.

Case Study #1 Canadian DMCA (Social Media Against Government)

Members 90,284 Discussions 497 Wall Posts 3,654

Fair Copyright for Canada Facebook Members (Thousands) 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Source: Updates posted to FCC Facebook Group http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6315846683

Cost of Software Defect: Time Introduced vs. Time Detected Time Detected Require- Architec- Construc- System Post- ments ture tion Test Release Require- 1× 3× 5–10× 10× 10–100× ments Time Architec- Introduced - 1× 10× 15× 25–100× ture Construc- - - 1× 10× 10–25× tion McConnell, Steve (2004). Code Complete (2nd edition ed.) Microsoft Press. pp. 960. ISBN 0-7356-1967-0. Also here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_testing

 Include ordinary people in your feedback process.  Float trial balloons. Release drafts.  Monitor social media channels.  Have decision points. When will I do something?

Case Study #2 School Information Finder Province of Ontario Ministry of Education

 Website to help parents choose a school. EQAO Test Results  Shows standardized test scores in context with demographics. Demographic Internal Data Ministry Analysis from  Shows the same data the StatsCan Ministry uses to make decisions.

 Pre-Launch Consultations:  Talked to people in education.  Talked to a group of principles.  Let the school boards know.  Small user test with 7-8 parents  Survey: “Did you find what you were looking for?”

School Information Finder: Site soft-launched. Includes „School Bag‟ that lets parents select 3 schools to compare by test & demographic information. Features Up Mar 29

Public launch by Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Education, at a parent conference. Features Up Mar 29 Apr 4 Public Launch

New way to compare public schools in Ontario - using test scores and immigration background - not everyone thinks it's good. - Headline, Globe and Mail, April 6 Features Up Mar 29 Apr 4 Apr 6 Public Launch

Hearing concerns from stakeholders at a public meeting, Minister agrees to: - Remove „School Bag‟ comparison feature. - Add more information. Public Meeting: Minister decides Features Up to remove „School Bag‟. Mar 29 Apr 4 Apr 6 Public Launch

„People for Education‟ Launches Online Petition: “We are concerned that this site will encourage further social polarization. “ Public Meeting: Minister decides Features Up to remove „School Bag‟ Mar 29 Apr 4 Apr 6 Apr 7 Public Launch Online Petition Launched

“Wynne deletes Web feature comparing schools, Minister Backtracks” - National Post, April 7, 2009 Public Meeting: Minister decides Features Up to remove „School Bag‟. Mar 29 Apr 4 Apr 6 Apr 7 Public Launch Online Petition Launched Coverage in: • Toronto Star • Globe and Mail • Ottawa Citizen

Removal of „School Bag‟ feature delayed by site traffic: - 11,000 hits by 11am. Feature removed that afternoon. All test scores & demographic data still available on site. Public Meeting: Minister decides Features Up to remove „School Bag‟ „School Bag‟. removed. Mar 29 Apr 4 Apr 6 Apr 7 Public Launch Online Petition Launched Coverage in: • Toronto Star • Globe and Mail • Ottawa Citizen

Comments on School Finder Website Survey, April 7: (loosely categorized) 1/3 – Take down the whole site. 1/3 – The site should provide more information. 1/3 – Governments should make all information available. Public Meeting: Minister decides Features Up to remove „School Bag‟ „School Bag‟. removed. Mar 29 Apr 4 Apr 6 Apr 7 Public Launch Online Petition Launched Coverage in: • Toronto Star • Globe and Mail • Ottawa Citizen

“If you were to ask parents whether or not they want this information, I know what their answer is.” - Dalton McGuinty, Premier, April 8 Public Meeting: Statement by Minister decides Premier. Features Up to remove „School Bag‟ shopping bag. removed. Mar 29 Apr 4 Apr 6 Apr 7 Apr 8 Public Launch Online Petition Launched Coverage in: • Toronto Star • Globe and Mail • Ottawa Citizen

quot;Part of the disappointment today was that it is a partnership table,quot; quot;This was the first time that people were blindsided and had no idea what was going on.“ - Annie Kidder, People for Education Wynne deletes Web feature comparing schools, Minister Backtracks, National Post, April 7, 2009

May 5, 2009 The Ministry of Education is working with stakeholders to add more information to the website. The School Information Finder site is getting 300-800 hits per day.

What should government websites do?

Government websites should do everything. I’m still not happy. [24]

 This is what start-ups do.  Potential for negative press by people who want to influence you. Wynne deletes Web feature comparing schools, Minister Backtracks - National Post, April 7, 2009

 Don’t surprise anyone.  Have a very visible consultation process.  Have well documented feedback that supports your decisions. ... Takes a long time.

 Make the data free.  Let other people build the websites.

Requires: A Policy 1. What types of sites do I trust to present my data accurately? 2. What types of sites do I trust to provide me with accurate feedback?

Make a badge. This site is trusted by the Government of Ontario. [23]

About VisibleGovernment.ca

 Focus:  US Congress  California Legislature  Gives grants to online transparency tools

 UK Non-Profit  Simple, Effective Tools  High Participation Photo by memespring, Flickr.com, Creative Commons ASA2G

 Accelerate online transparency Ideas  Raise Awareness  With public  With government Skills  Raise Money  Fund External Development: Funds  Grants  Contests

Prove Concept Get Publicity Direct Attention and Money and to Online Tools For Transparency Raise Awareness Show What’s Possible

Standardize Stream Visualize • Scrape data into • Publish RSS • Provide basic standard format feeds visualization app • Hold contests

Records collected so far. 30,000 Volunteers. 4 Errors found. 155 Visualization company 1 engaged. Lawyer making sure things 1 are on the up-and-up.

 FixMyStreet

What you can do now. [16]

“When you open up the data, there’s no limit to what people can do. It engages the imagination of citizens in building the city.” -David Miller, Mayor of Toronto. Toronto 2.0: Data Sharing Source The Globe and Mail, 09-01-31

Vivek Kundra CIO, United States of America

data.gov “... we need to make sure that all that data that is not private, that is not restricted for national security reasons, can be made public. “ - Vivek Kundra, US CIO Vivek Kundra, US CIO In His Own Words, O‟Reilly Radar http://radar.oreilly.com/2009/03/vivek-kundra-federal-cio-in-hi.html

Government of Canada Treasury Board ITERation Project • Generalized system for publishing data • Implements IMF Code of Conduct for Fiscal Transparency

1. Issue a high level statement in support of transparency and openness. Adapted from: OMBWatch: Towards a 21st Century Right to Know Agenda [19]

Government should be transparent. Information maintained by the Federal Government is a national asset. My Administration will take appropriate action, consistent with law and policy, to disclose information rapidly in forms that the public can readily find and use. Executive departments and agencies should harness new technologies to put information about their operations and decisions online and readily available to the public. Executive departments and agencies should also solicit public feedback to identify information of greatest use to the public. Memo from the President of the United States http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/TransparencyandOpenGovernment/ [22]

1. Issue a high level statement in support of transparency and openness. 2. Adopt a policy of disclosure by default, as opposed to by exception. 3. Allocate money to implement a more transparent government. 4. Create job-level incentives to promote disclosure and transparency. Adapted from: OMBWatch: Towards a 21st Century Right to Know Agenda [19]

TO DO: You 1. Get things online, internally. (Use Excel less.) 2. Identify what information you collect and use. 3. Identify who owns the information, and how it‟s licensed. [19]

 Anonymously report data sets and licensing.  Users can tie use cases to the information.  Site collects signups of people who would like to see that information released.

TO DO: You 4. Come up with a good plan, so you look fantastic. [19]

Further Resources: VisibleGovernment.ca Website: http://visiblegovernment.ca GSA – Office of Citizen Services and Communication Intra-governmental Newsletter : Transparency and Open Government http://www.usaservices.gov/events_news/documents/Transparency.pdf OMBWatch: Towards a 21st Century Right to Know Agenda http://www.ombwatch.org/node/3840 Government Data and the Invisible Hand, David Robinson et. al. Princeton Center for Information Technology Policy http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1138083 Hack, Mash and Peer: Crowdsourcing Government Transparency Jerry Brito, George Mason University http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1023485 ChangeCamp: http://groups.google.com/group/changecamp Sunlight Foundation: http://www.sunlightfoundation.com/

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Photo Credits: [1] 234 social media marketing examples, beingpeterkim http://www.flickr.com/photos/beingpeterkim/2909140600/ [2] Printing Press, Thomas Hawk http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/172495285/ [3] Gold Bars, Curtis Perry http://www.flickr.com/photos/curtisperry/56998544 [4] Where’s Wally?, McGarry http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcgarry/111003432 [5] Eye see you!, dotbenjamin http://www.flickr.com/photos/dotbenjamin/2636942186 [6] Auntie P.'s ruler, John Edgar Park http://www.flickr.com/photos/edgar/355067220 [7] Chemical Reaction, Neys http://www.flickr.com/photos/neys/2386865187 [8] Landmark Supermarket Trinoma, bredgur http://www.flickr.com/photos/bredgur/2655954991 [9] Cisco 2950, Marco Wessel http://www.flickr.com/photos/mhw/91952572/ [10] Hanging Boken Bulb II, bitzcelt http://www.flickr.com/photos/bitzcelt/450640323/ [11] United Colors of Legotton, Guillermo http://www.flickr.com/photos/grdloizaga/817425185

[12] Rotterdam: abstract architecture, docman http://www.flickr.com/photos/docman/2216568210 [13] Roadblock, iboy daniel http://www.flickr.com/photos/iboy_daniel/83671284 [14] just take my hand let's fly away, funkyah http://www.flickr.com/photos/funkyah/2400889778/ [15] Amelia Earheart, missrougue, http://www.flickr.com/photos/missrogue/297606078/ [16] Dave Wants You, Chris Owens http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutter/105497713 [17] Robots Attack, Andy Wilson http://www.flickr.com/photos/by_andy/2646443630/ [18] Old Town, Tallinn, Estonia http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaeru/1442362288/ [19] Notepad with Lines, net_effekt, http://www.flickr.com/photos/wheatfields/1803278949/ [20] Untitled, ckramer, http://www.flickr.com/photos/ckramer/3013249503/ [21] ChangeCamp at MaRS, Matthew Burpee http://www.flickr.com/photos/mburpee/3223056900/ [22] Paper Lace, pareerica, http://www.flickr.com/photos/8078381@N03/2855146837/ [23] Employment Badge, Leo Reynolds, http://www.flickr.com/photos/49968232@N00/5238329/ [24] Me? Dave Parker, http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveparker/2758392869/

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Benefits of Open Government Data (Expanded)

by Jennifer Bell on May 28, 2009

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Benefits of Open Government Data (Expanded) — Presentation Transcript