This document makes the case for open GIS data in Wisconsin by outlining the benefits of a shared basemap, resolved jurisdictional boundaries, and citizen engagement through technology. It discusses trends toward open data, including public-private partnerships and government transparency. The rationale given is that the Wisconsin GIS community is well-positioned to take a leadership role in consistent, open access to state and local geospatial data. This could enable new applications, accountability, and economic development through real estate data. The document proposes analyzing policies, watching for modernization opportunities, examining municipal models, assessing high-demand data, and expanding open data publication over time. Potential benefits include efficiencies, improved services, and engagement with officials and outside innovators.

1. Making the Case for Open GIS
Data in Wisconsin
… open policy, open technology,
open access.
2015 WLIA Annual Conference

2. Imagine…
• A shared Wisconsin basemap
• Resolved jurisdictional boundaries
• Citizen engagement through technology
• Shared civic software?
• Tapping into crowdsourcing efforts
• Tapping into ‘Maker’ communities, civic hack-
a-thons …

3. Trends / Timeliness
Conference Theme: Data Forward
• Move toward smaller government
• Public-private partnerships
• Government-citizenry partnerships
• LEAN initiatives at state and local levels
• Estimated $3B nationally in untapped benefits

4. “Open” – in open data context
“Technically Open” & “Legally Open”
• Machine readable
• On-line, downloadable or web API
• Free
• No restrictions on use or re-distribution
• No liability for providers
• Documentation to accompany

5. Engagement by Peer States/ Cities
Credit: Sunlight Foundation

6. Engagement by Peer States/ Cities
• Nine states have formal policies for open data
via adopted legislation or executive orders.
(Maryland has current legislation in process)
• At least 24 states have open data policies using a less
formal route than legislation or executive order
Government Technology – Dec.17, 2014

7. “Open Data” in Wisconsin
• Muni’s take the policy lead. (WLIA Plenary
speaker last year)
• But… 15 counties…

8. Rationale
The Wisconsin GIS community has a long, rich
history and is uniquely positioned to take the
lead in consistent, open access to state and local
geospatial data enabling:
• New applications & new unrealized value;
• Transparency for geospatial funding;
• Accountability to internal and external
stakeholders (agencies & public)

9. Why Now?
• Wisconsin LEAN initiative
• County LEAN initiatives
• Focus on economic development
• Link to real estate development (fees)
• Renewed investment in WLIP
• Emergence of statewide integration projects

10. How?
• Analyze existing policies and educate on the
value of change
• Watch for opportunities to make open data
access part of systems modernization
• Examine municipal models and make county-
municipal exchange a pillar and rationale
• Discuss the possibility of statewide policy

11. How?
• Assess most important and in-demand data
for open publication first
• Publish in a discoverable (meta), machine-
readable method
• Solicit direct feedback and improve data and
delivery in direct response
• Expand data publishing while maintaining and
enhancing existing datasets

12. Potential Benefits
• “Flowing data” lends itself to efficiencies,
improved public service and increasingly
standard privacy protections
• Open data facilitates open systems avoiding
vendor lock and “data lock”
• Engagement of elected officials through
dashboards and citizen-enabled app’s
• Engagement with outside innovators

13. Discussion
AJ Wortley aj.wortley@wisc.edu
State Cartographer’s Office