Open Data Barometer - RecommendationsThe findings from the fourth edition of the Open Data Barometer show that while some governments are advancing towards these aims, open data remains the exception, not the rule. Why does this matter? Everyone should be able to access and use open data on an open web to allow them to participate fully in civic life. Without good data, it is impossible to hold governments to account for the decisions that they make, the policies they pass, and the money they budget and spend. In its fourth edition, the Open Data Barometer covers 115 countries and jurisdictions, a 25 percent increase on coverage from the last edition. The leaders for each region in our study are Canada, Israel, Kenya, Korea, Mexico, and the UK. Overall, these findings reveal that the regional champions have been improving steadily since the last edition.World Wide Web FoundationWWWF_4c19df8a-ec52-11e0-a0d2-cf4b7a64ea2aEveryone is able to access and use open data on an open web to allow them to participate fully in civic life._fa28ed54-4553-11e7-a73e-312bb72d4253To deliver real change through open data_fa28eed0-4553-11e7-a73e-312bb72d4253ChangeTo deliver real change, open data must meet the principles set out in the Open Data Charter -- adopted by more than 15 national and 25 local governments to date. The Open Data Charter Principles: The 4th edition of the Barometer shows how all 115 governments in the study are doing against the principles of the Open Data Charter. The Charter is a framework to embed the culture and practice of openness in the government in a way that is resilient to political change and driven by user demand. The Open Data Charter can also help provide guidance on how to open up more data. In order to achieve these goals, the Charter proposes six principles for the release of data ...OpennessOpen by default: The Barometer analyses the existence and quality of 15 key datasets (such as land registries or government budgets) across all 115 countries. These datasets are collected in some form in 97% of countries. However, 29% of those datasets are still not even published online, and only 7% are truly open.TimelinessTimely & comprehensive: According to our findings, 74% of the data we analysed is up-to-date, which is promising, but means that one quarter of all data surveyed has very limited value.ComprehensivenessAccessibilityAccessible & usable: 73% of the datasets were relatively easy to find. 10% of all datasets we surveyed were not available free of charge. Only a quarter of the datasets we analysed were available under an open licence -- meaning licensing remains a big barrier for data use.ComparabilityComparable & interoperable: Slightly over half of the data (53%) is available in a machine readable and reusable format, but of the data available in a machine readable format, only 24% can be accessed and downloaded in bulk.InteroperabilityGovernanceFor improved governance & citizen engagement: The impact of open data on increasing government efficiency and effectiveness is still very low, with an average score of only 1.20 out of 10 for all governments in the study. Similarly, the extent to which government is engaging with civil society regarding open data remains also limited with an average score of 4.23.EngagementInclusivenessFor inclusive development & innovation: If we look at the impact open data is having on the inclusion of marginalised groups in policymaking or on their access to public services, the Barometer finds that only 6% of governments are having some relevant impact in this area. When it comes to the availability of data essential for innovation (such as map data or public transport timetables), just 8% of relevant datasets are truly open.InnovationOpen data has significant potential to foster innovation. It is used in applications by entrepreneurs, and can unlock significant value for enterprises. It can also help to increase the efficiency and productivity of current public services. For example, innovation and significant economic value can be created by using datasets such as map data, public transport timetables, and data on international trade or crime. With innovation data the most abundant of the three clusters (Innovation, Social Policy, Accountability), we can reasonably assume that governments are prioritising these particular datasets. However, even in countries with strong open government data initiatives, the number of these datasets has declined since the last edition of the Barometer.Right to InformationUltimately, data is owned by people. Government-held and collected data is funded by taxpayers who in turn have the right to this data. The Web Foundation believes that all people should have a Right to Data in the same way that they should have a Right to Information (RTI). Policies that deliver affordable broadband for all and ensure adequate data protection for citizens’ personal data used are also important to underpin these rights. The Open Data Barometer findings show that a significant amount of government data is not available to the public yet, and is rarely in an open format. Moreover, even the data which is open is failing to serve the needs of all citizens. In the 115 countries assessed, the impact of open data continues to be greatest in the area of economic growth and new business creation. There has been little impact on improving marginalised groups' access to services and participation in decision-making. Given this, the potential of open data to promote equal opportunities for all remains underutilised.TrustThis edition of the Barometer found that governments are not releasing the data needed to restore or build citizens' trust, such as detailed budgets or company ownership registries.AccountabilityData needed for citizens to hold governments to account is often missing or hard to find. It is crucial for governments to provide information about the use of public resources. This includes data on how taxes are spent, how government contracts are awarded, and how money is funnelled into political campaigns. This also means releasing data vital to fighting corruption, such as data on budget, spending, contracting, land ownership, company registries, legislation, and election results ...UsabilityOpen data principles matter for data accessibility and usability. For open government data to be usable and valuable, it must be comprehensive, accurate, and of high quality. Governments should also ensure that they have a response mechanism in place that allows users to provide feedback, and continue to make revisions to ensure data quality is improved as necessary.CoordinationThe current approach centered only on open data portals is not working. Data portals have left behind a ghost town of open data projects. Although the open data community has been discussing this issue for a long time, it has been unable to improve the situation. Many datasets that are the most complete and up-to-date are frequently found on other government ministry or agency websites and not on the official open data portals. This shows poor coordination between different government agencies and central open data catalogues.AutomationWe recommend that governments update their data management policies and enable a more automated process for data publishing to "increase user friendliness and limit overheads for stakeholders". This automated process could then be extended to populate a central portal, if user needs dictate this.OrganisationEven though the practical solution for this issue is partially technical, we must keep in mind that this is inherently a political and organisational issue. This is not just about portals. Cross-FunctionalityGovernments need to take data governance seriously and improve the way they create and use open data across all functions, departments, and agencies.SustainabilityRather than focusing on creating portals, governments must first focus on the political and organisational reform needed to improve open data's impact and long-term sustainability.OpennessMake government data open by default_fa28eff2-4553-11e7-a73e-312bb72d42531Government-held data must be open by default and follow the principles set out in the Open Data Charter -- from proactive publication to clear open licensing (while being mindful that no personally identifiable data should be released). In addition, governments must maintain their commitments to open data and avoid backsliding. Governments in the UK, US, and Nordic countries have all taken steps backward this year (see Finding Three). Where in place, right to information (RTI) laws should be revised to provide for proactive disclosure that guarantees non-personal government data will be open by default, available in machine-readable formats, and published under open licences that allow the data to be re-used._fa28f1c8-4553-11e7-a73e-312bb72d4253DecentralisationDecentralise open data across all agencies and departments_fa28f29a-4553-11e7-a73e-312bb72d42532In order to guarantee long term sustainability of open data, all government data management practices and systems must be designed with openness in mind from the very beginning of the data management process. It is imperative that governments do not see opening data as an additional step at the end, but as something to be integrated throughout the whole of government. We recommend that governments review their data governance processes in full and also embed automated data publication processes in their IT systems. This will ensure the latest and most complete version of datasets is always available to the public directly from the source and will reduce reliance on manual uploads to one single central catalogue. As it stands, open data portals should be considered as a temporary workaround in order to enable access to government data while a more consistent solution is implemented. This might be that data is published in an automated way, as outlined above, on the websites of relevant departments, with a further automated step to populate a central portal in real-time._fa28f402-4553-11e7-a73e-312bb72d4253CharterAdopt the Open Data Charter to ensure open data practices are embedded beyond political mandates_fa28f4de-4553-11e7-a73e-312bb72d42533We recommend that governments should adopt and implement the Open Data Charter principles ... This will ensure sustainability in creating a culture of open data beyond political transitions.PolicyEstablish a policy foundation that articulates processes_fa28f600-4553-11e7-a73e-312bb72d42533.1A strong policy foundation that articulates processes; responsibilities; timelines; resources; appropriate privacy and data protection safeguards; and the national institutions or authorities in charge of its execution to establish a general right to reuse by means of an explicit 'open by default' mandate.Strategy & PracticeConsistently apply data management strategy and practice_fa28f6d2-4553-11e7-a73e-312bb72d42533.2A consistent data management strategy and practice, including guidelines for metadata and publication frequency; data inventories; documentation; quality assurance procedures; and management of user feedback.Right to InformationProactively release of open government data._fa28f84e-4553-11e7-a73e-312bb72d42533.3We also recommend that governments add provisions to their current right to information (RTI) legislation to reinforce the proactive release of open government data.PrioritiesConsult citizens and intermediaries when prioritising which open data to publish first_fa28f920-4553-11e7-a73e-312bb72d42534Governments need to give top priority to opening up the data that will help citizens get what they really need -- better public services, more transparency, and accountability. To do this, governments must work with data intermediaries -- such as civil society, community organisations and the media -- to find out exactly which data and information citizens need to address their problems and improve public services. Importantly, governments must avoid only consulting the usual suspects and should make a dedicated effort to consult a wider range of voices, with a particular focus on groups that are often marginalised from government decision-making. Based on these consultations, governments can prioritise for early release the datasets that would be most useful -- for example, which datasets should the government open in order to build better health services that are responsive to citizens' needs? Restoring citizens' trust is not just about providing citizens with the data they need. It is also about protecting citizens' personal data, and making sure that their data is in safe hands. This means making sure citizens are aware of and consent to the way in which their data is collected, processed, and used by the government._fa28f9fc-4553-11e7-a73e-312bb72d4253Marginalised GroupsInvest in using open data to improve the lives of marginalised groups_fa28faec-4553-11e7-a73e-312bb72d42535To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals -- which have poverty eradication and gender equality at their core -- making data open by design is a start, but not enough. In line with Open Data Charter principle six, data policies must also be inclusive by design, in order to harness the potential of open data to improve equality and social outcomes. Concrete steps include:Data CollectionInvest in greater disaggregation of data by sex, income level, or age, and develop new indicators that allow better analysis of diversity and stratification in our societies._fa28fbd2-4553-11e7-a73e-312bb72d42535.1Data DesignConsult marginalised groups when designing new data collection or data release efforts._fa28fcae-4553-11e7-a73e-312bb72d42535.2This helps to identify positive opportunities for data to advance equity. Inclusive design processes can also help avoid unintended negative consequences that could further entrench discrimination and exclusion.Data AccessInvest in low-cost and accessible internet access for marginalised groups as costly and scarce internet access puts women, low-income and other marginalised groups at a huge disadvantage when it comes to data use._fa28fe02-4553-11e7-a73e-312bb72d42535.3WomenLow-IncomeMarginalised GroupsData UseInvest in processes that enable marginalised groups to use data, particularly to participate in policymaking, and with the explicit aim of achieving social policy goals._fa28ff06-4553-11e7-a73e-312bb72d42535.4Marginalised Groups2017-05-30http://opendatabarometer.org/4thedition/report/#findings_recommendationsOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net