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Data.gov Initiative Implementation Acceleration Discussion

Architecture and Infrastructure Committee MeetingMarch 19, 2009

Mike Carleton and Sonny BhagowaliaCo-Leads for Data.gov Initiative

Objectives for Data.gov (as identified by the CIO Council):

• Create a one-stop online website for free access to data produced or held by agencies across the Federal government

• Enable the public to easily find, download, and use federal government data including databases, standardized data feeds, and maps, graphics, and other data visualizations [“raw” data versus “value added” information]

• Target Audiences include general public, data analysts, data aggregators, web developers

• In the context of open and transparent government

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The objectives of Data.gov support the President’s principles of “Open Government” and “Transparency”

March 11 Memo to CIOs Asked for Suitable Data Sets for Data.gov Launch

• Identify the best data sets to feature on the initial launch of new Data.gov site

• Offer as much useful data as possible at launch then expand rapidly

• Nominate via MAX portal best candidate data sets using template by March 24th

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Advice to Considered When Selecting the Data Sets for Launch Phase of Data.gov

• Pre-existing consensus around definitions and formats– readily comprehensible– availability of metadata and support for machine-to-machine data

transfer

• Data in “raw” form– clarity among observations: data, analysis, judgments, inferences

• Not expose sensitive data– personally identifiable information, national security information, or

data otherwise restricted by law or binding agreement

• Prepare for technical support demands arising from wider usage

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The Template, due March 24th, requires the following information:

• Potential Data.gov Data Set• Data Set Point of Contact• Data Set Description (also

indicate geographic scope (e.g., national, regional, etc.))

• Potential Audience for the Data Set

• Is the Source System an Authoritative Data Source or System of Record?

• Is Metadata Available?• Is the Data Set Geospatially

Enabled? At What Level? (e.g., coordinate, zip code)

• Is the Data Currently Publicly Accessible? (If so, provide the URL. If not, provide reasoning.)

• Is the Data Set Available via Web Service?

• Risks of the Data Set (in terms of sensitivity, confidentiality, privacy, unclear ownership, format difficulties, uneven coverage, or data quality concerns)

• Reason for Nomination: Value of the Data Set (e.g., ability to provide national coverage and local estimates; likely interest to a broad sector of the public, including combining with other datasets)

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A Data.gov collaboration site has been set up on MAX and a page has been developed for the March 11th memo and template

Data.gov Main MAX Collaboration Site: https://max.omb.gov/community/x/qgFTE

The memo and template can be accessed by clicking this link.

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Agency specific pages have been created and

house agency Data.gov templates. Users will only see their agency page.

Memo and Template Page

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Agency Specific Data.gov Template Page

Here is the agency specific template where each agency will update

their Data.gov information.

Instructions on filling out the template.

2 options: updating in MAX or downloading to your PC

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Accomplishments to Date

• Released Federal CIO Council memo• Initiated Registration of Data.gov• Identified CIOs of interested agencies who

will contribute effort to Data.gov• Assigned GSA to find host provider for

Data.gov• Identified non-Federal potential

collaborators

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Identify volunteers to participate on the Data.gov working group team

Domain knowledge of data sets

Technical expertise about data sharing

Communications and coordination

Volunteers?Citizen-Centered, Results Driven Government 10

Next Steps

• Use Existing FCIOC Governance Structure– Expand Executive Steering Committee

• Recruit Data.gov Project Manager• Develop project plan for phased deployment,

including budget and timeline• Hold first working group meeting with interested

agencies (TBD), collaborators, stakeholders• Refine criteria for selecting data sets from

among those nominated by CIOs (e.g., relevant to Presidential priorities)

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