[@OKau] A Missing Link

Fri May 8 00:17:55 UTC 2015

Hi Alex,

I don’t think the issue is the benefit of open data….It is a concept well understood now in most areas of government  It is an issue of do I divert my resources from what my documented responsibilities are to meet open data agendas or do I focus on what I am paid too do….It is a cultural and simple data management issue.

I strongly believe in the value of open data, but also believe that the open data needs to be useful and usable (which are two different things)….much of it isn’t and simply makes up the numbers.

We are focussing on the external benefits for open data, what the consumer gains.  But we forget the first element of the supply chain, the creators and what benefit they gain.  If resources were not an issue in Government, then there would be no problems, but I know that a competition between using resources to get data made public versus producing the business as usual outputs will only result in one outcome.  And, this is not open data.

Ben Searle

Email:    bensearle54 at gmail.com
Mobile:  +61 (0) 400 453 601

> On 8 May 2015, at 10:05 am, Alex (Maxious) Sadleir <maxious at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> The Sunlight Foundation has collected 100 case studies to "illustrate the social impact of open data and digital transparency initiatives in different countries, cities and communities".
> http://sunlightfoundation.com/blog/2015/05/05/a-new-approach-to-measuring-the-impact-of-open-data/ <http://sunlightfoundation.com/blog/2015/05/05/a-new-approach-to-measuring-the-impact-of-open-data/>
> 
> On Fri, May 8, 2015 at 9:47 AM, Steven De Costa <steven.decosta at linkdigital.com.au <mailto:steven.decosta at linkdigital.com.au>> wrote:
> No!
> 
> Don't get drawn into a hostage negotiation ;)
> 
> That argument is one where the data holder will say, "Show me proof I'll get value, then I'll release the data".
> 
> Instead, we need to keep the conversation on the data itself.  
> 
> However, if you must preemptively demonstrate value I think there are two sensible and non distracting ways to do it.
> 
> 1. The macro economic argument. Talk about the economy, information goods, theory of the firm and transaction costs - all in broad terms. When you do this you can then find evidence of other changes in the (information) economy to cite as examples. 
> 
> 2. The micro economic argument. Talk about the shift in government-citizen dynamics brought about by modern communication mediums and the learned behaviors of digital natives. You can then cite examples of large changes in consumer behaviour born from peer to peer networks, social networks and consolidated consumer markets (amazon, app stores, etc). 
> 
> If a government agency is serious about working out the best areas where the release of data will improve the economy within their jurisdiction, or enable more effective G2C and C2G interactions then they should consider employing economists and statisticians to develop econometric models which demonstrate the likely value of releasing data. They should also consider what stimulation they'd need to provide to ensure that a supply-demand relationship emerges to maintain the long term value they expect to create.
> 
> Cheers,
> Steven
> 
> 
> STEVEN DE COSTA | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
> www.linkdigital.com.au <http://www.linkdigital.com.au/>
> 
>    
> 
> On 8 May 2015 at 09:10, Ben Searle <bensearle54 at gmail.com <mailto:bensearle54 at gmail.com>> wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> An open data related thought based on a number of years working in the data management space across different levels of government.
> 
> Most government organisations and individuals in those organisations understand the benefits of making their data available to the public.  That debate has generally been won.  But, most organisations are suffering reduced budgets and appreciate that they must expend some resources to comply with the open data philosophy.  This costs their organisation.  But what benefit do they get back from releasing their data?
> 
> Generally not much direct benefit, other than complying with broad government objectives.  So, what is their answer to the question of “whats in it for me?”….generally not much.  Until we can effectively answer that question the supply side of open data will continue to be limited and we will continue to have data released purely to increase data set numbers and meet KPI’s but will that data be useful?  Based on current activities, much of the existing open data would not be consumed by organisations wishing to generate digital products.
> 
> What is missing? 
> 
> 
> Ben Searle
> 
> <PastedGraphic-15.tiff>
> 
> Email:    bensearle54 at gmail.com <mailto:bensearle54 at gmail.com>
> Mobile:  +61 (0) 400 453 601 <tel:%2B61%20%280%29%20400%20453%20601>
> 
> 
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