[okfn-za] [HacksHackers Jo'burg] The marketing case for open government data

Tue May 28 20:03:05 UTC 2013

Hi Nimi

Apologies for getting onto this thread late. My suggestion - don't do it.

It's a bit of a contrary position for someone passionate about opening
data but  there's a good chance that the open data project might flop.
I strongly believe that the process of opening data should be
exclusively demand driven.

Why should an organisation make the effort to opening up a dataset if
there is no-one to use it? If you make the case that somehow public
engagement will increase through opening up data - it may not happen -
and they'll become dispirited. Open data may be a cool term but it is
essentially a costly exercise.
My argument above relates to your points 2 and 3. There needs to be a
good ROI in order to make a good business case.

What you really need to find is a consumer of that data. What cool
projects would be possible if this data was made available? Is it
possible to integrate this new data into existing projects in order to
enhance them?

With regards to points 1 and 4, I think that's a great idea but it
sounds more like a transparency/benchmarking exercise than open data
per se (semantics I know). The point here is that, they may think it's
a good idea to become more transparent and making the data open is one
way to do that. If your organisation is thinking along those lines
already, then they are already their own consumer.

My advice is to publicise what data they have available so that
organisations and individuals can know what the potential is. I would
include it in their PAIA manual and possibly post a stub dataset on
http://www.africaopendata.org (a stub dataset would describe what the
data is, what attributes/columns are available and who to contact if
the data is required). If there is a market for their data, consumers
will come to them.

My 2 cents worth

Adi

On 23 May 2013 08:59, Nimi Hoffmann <Nimi.Hoffmann at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi all
>
> I'm currently doing a short work stint with a government entity, and there's
> the possibility that we could encourage them to make their data (more) open.
>
> To this end, I want to make a strong marketing case to them. Any thoughts on
> how to do so?
>
> I've got the following in mind:
>
> 1. Open data allows them to create performance indicators along a variety of
> dimensions (financial, social, environmental etc.). This allows them to
> benchmark themselves against their own performance and that of other
> organisations.
> 2. This is a  a strong differentiator - not many organisations provide open
> data
> 3. It will improve public engagement and communication, and demonstrate a
> tangible commitment to improve their performance.This will enhance their
> brand
> 4. It will improve their self-knowledge as an organisation (i.e. employees
> can track what is going on in other divisions).
>
> Are there any organisations that recognise and celebrate open data
> initiatives? Is there some way that they could get a media spin on the
> thing, or get recognition from some kind of external agency or institution?
>
> Cheers,
> Nimi
>
>
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-- 
Adi Eyal
Data Specialist
phone: +27 78 014 2469
skype: adieyalcas
linkedin: http://za.linkedin.com/pub/dir/Adi/Eyal