Why is open important
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Why - Benefits and Principles of Open Government Data
The stated goal of this session was to identify reasons why participants think open government data should be perused. If we don't have any justifications for this course of action why should anyone or any agency bother listening to us and why would they open their data.
Also, if we do claim certain benefits will flow we need to be able to measure those benefits, again to ensure that data flows in the direction and manner we desire.
The initial edit of this page simply lists the bullet points that were written on the whiteboard during the session. The expectation is that this will prompt more reflective feedback.
See also Economic Benefits of Open Data.
- Know the truth
- Data helps inform -> good decision making
- Data can improve accountability -> Builds trust in government
- Improved access leads to greater efficiencies
- Most govt data is collected for admin purposes and is not well structured. Opening it up will lead to better standards and help make it more meaningful as...
- Crowdsourcing can make data "better"
- Improved discoverablility leads to a more efficient public service
- open data will lead towards best practices, more collaboration, improved interoperability between govt agencies and govt to public
- improve respect relationship between govt and public
- public feedback on based on actual data rather than hearsay
OIA
There was quite a long discussion about how the OIA works/does not work. If publishing government data is the *default* position then the need for OIAs would be reduced and responding to OIAs would be much more efficient. Again, issues of improved trust were raised.
- OIA "friction" would be reduced
Transformational Narrative
Mike Brown pointed out the need to develop a narrative around the transformational nature of having ubiquitous open govt data sets. Some suggestions are:
- Link the narrative to the way the free and open Internet has transformed many aspects of our lives. This link is surely strengthed by the fact that Berners-Lee is such a strong advocate
- The free and open source software model has a similarly transformative narrative, that is also tied to the Internet
- Economic transformations. We are looking for examples of economic transformation as a result of open data. Whilst we could go back to the Renaissance one pertinant example was comparing the value and vibrancy of the US GIS industry vs. that in the UK. The US govt gives away its GIS data; the UK does not.
- Encourage creativity and information based industry
- Productivity improvements
- Create NZ Data release case studies
NZ cannot afford to be left behind or even to be a follower. It is clear that open data is *the next big thing* and if NZ is even slightly behind the wave we will lose competitive advantage and any chance of demonstrating digital prowess and leadership.
Open data is a relatively cheap, quick and risk free stance for a government to take and one that will pay quick returns.
Post session thoughts on the topic
The public service has an inherently conservative and risk aware approach to web development. Open data allows people working outside govt systems to demonstrate new, rapid, adaptable approaches that govt agencies may not be ready to adopt just yet.
