VisibleGovernment.ca

Benefits of Open Government Data

[1]

Another Type of Social Media: Publishing Structured Data

[2]

Graphic generated by Redkid.net

“have a much greater potential effect on the ability to transform government than anything else in the Web 2.0 world.”

- Gartner, 2007 The E-Government Hype Cycle Meets Web 2.0

Web-oriented Architectures:

Publishing Structured Feeds

• Ability to subscribe to interesting data

• Data streams can be ‘mashed’ in new ways.

Data Visualization

• Makes it easy to find new patterns.

Collaborative Organization

• Tagging, Voting, Sharing

Crowdsourcing

• Combines skills and input of large numbers of people

Governments publish data

streams

Citizens monitor data

streams

Issues are detected

Issues are resolved

3rd

Party Tools

• Governments publish data streams

• 3rd parties create tools for analysis and oversight

• Citizens collaboratively monitor their government

• Citizens detect issues, give feedback

• Issues are resolved

Why?

Open Systems Allow External Contribution.

Goldcorp

1999: Struggling Vancouver company

Early test results showed gold deposits

After years of searching: no gold found

[3]

From Wikinomics, by Dan Tapscott

Golden challenge unearths new ideas: Globe and Mail, April 2007.

“I

[The Goldcorps President] realized that the uniquely qualified minds to make new discoveries were probably outside the boundaries of his organization, and by sharing some intellectual property he could harness the power of collective genius and capability

[4]

What if governments took the same approach?

Vivek Kundra

Former CTO, District of Columbia

[20]

[21]

Changecamp Ottawa▪ Ottawa City Hall, May 16

Changecamp Vancouver▪ June 20 & 21st

Citizens can do more thancode websites...

structured govt. data

+ citizen expert groups

some examples...

1st Year Results:•2000 Citizen Reviewers • Avg. Time / Reviewer / Patent: 6hrs

Easy to File a Report

Rewarding

•25,000 Problems reported• 8,000 Fixed

A recent US Congress bill

Groups for bill

Groups against bill

Donations

Votes

Publishing Structured Feeds

• MAPLight is a mashup of data streams from different sources.

Data Visualization

• MAPLight makes relationship between money and votes

visible.

Collaborative Organization

• Advocacy group tagsdonating companies as belonging to interest groups.

Crowdsourcing

• Thousands of journalists, advocates, and citizens can browse data and flag issues.

Open Systems Make Failure Free.

* paraphrasing Clay Shirky.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cobalt/1308955915/

Where’s the best solution?

It’s hard for governments to experiment.

There’s lots of people watching.

[5]

There’s lots of rules.

[6]

“An online compliance checklist for designers of government websites identifies

no fewer than 24 different regulatory

regimes with which all public government web sites must comply.”

-David Robinson, Princeton Center for Information Policy.“Government Data and the Invisible Hand”

[7]

Let others experiment

for you.

* Save tax money.

• Pared down interface

• Easy to navigate

Regulations.gov

OpenRegulations.org

2003 2008(+few months)

• Launched

• Limited Search

• Hard to Use

• Re-designed

• Re-launched

• Added RSS Feeds

*From: Government Data and the Invisible Hand, David Robinson, Princeton Center for Information Technology Policy.

Open Systems Create New Markets.

[8]

Cisco:127 Acquisitions in 15 Years

[9]

New Opportunities:

Visualization

Analysis

Community Mgmt.

Combining Data Sets

Data Mining

Niche Markets

[10]

Be like Cisco.

Buy the best solutions.

Open source them.

Create an expanding base of re-usable software.

[11]

An Architecture for Open.

[12]

OLD NEW

*From: Power of Information Task Force blog, June 2008.

OLD NEW

*From: Power of Information Task Force blog, June 2008.

*From: Government Data and the Invisible Hand, David Robinson, Princeton Center for Information Technology Policy.

DepartmentReporting

Reporting

Access

Access

Treasury Board

AuditorGeneral

An Architecture for Open

DepartmentReporting

Reporting

Access

Access

Treasury Board

AuditorGeneral*

ExternalGroups

ExternalGroups

* Save tax dollars.

Open SystemRoadblocks.

[13]

Civil servants often feel they live in a fishbowl.

“No one was ever promoted for disclosing information.”

-US Government Employee.OMBWatch, Towards a 21st Century Right To Know Agenda

Open systems can make heroes.

Not just scapegoats.

[14]

Estonia: Government document repository entirely open to public.

- Stephen Clift, DemocracyOnline*

[18]* http://rebooting.personaldemocracy.com/node/52

Time Detected

Require-ments

Architec-ture

Construc-tion

System Test

Post-Release

Time Introduced

Require-ments

1× 3× 5–10× 10× 10–100×

Architec-ture

- 1× 10× 15× 25–100×

Construc-tion

- - 1× 10× 10–25×

McConnell, Steve (2004). Code Complete (2nd edition ed.)Microsoft Press. pp. 960. ISBN 0-7356-1967-0.Also here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_testing

Cost of Software Defect: Time Introduced vs. Time Detected

Let the public see your successes as they’re happening.

• Goals achieved

• Innovative services

• Efficiency improvements

Be a hero.

Change the reporting cycle.

Something that everyone knows about isn’t news.

Case Study #1

Canadian DMCA

(Social Media Against Government)

Members 90,284

Discussions 497

Wall Posts 3,654

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Fair Copyright for Canada Facebook Members(Thousands)

Source: Updates posted to FCC Facebook Group

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6315846683

Time Detected

Require-ments

Architec-ture

Construc-tion

System Test

Post-Release

Time Introduced

Require-ments

1× 3× 5–10× 10× 10–100×

Architec-ture

- 1× 10× 15× 25–100×

Construc-tion

- - 1× 10× 10–25×

McConnell, Steve (2004). Code Complete (2nd edition ed.)Microsoft Press. pp. 960. ISBN 0-7356-1967-0.Also here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_testing

Cost of Software Defect: Time Introduced vs. Time Detected

Include ordinary people in your feedback process.

Float trial balloons. Release drafts.

Monitor social media channels.

Have decision points. When will I do something?

Case Study #2

School Information Finder

Province of Ontario

Ministry of Education

Website to help parents choose a school.

Shows standardized test scores in context with demographics.

Shows the same data the Ministry uses to make decisions.

EQAO Test Results

Demographic Data

from StatsCan

Internal Ministry Analysis

Pre-Launch Consultations:

Talked to people in education.

Talked to a group of principles.

Let the school boards know.

Small user test with 7-8 parents

Survey: “Did you find what you were looking for?”

School Information Finder:

Site soft-launched.

Includes „School Bag‟ that lets parents select 3 schools to

compare by test & demographic information.

Features Up

Mar 29

Features Up

Public launch by Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Education,

at a parent conference.

Mar 29 Apr 4

Public Launch

Features Up

Mar 29 Apr 4 Apr 6

Public Launch

New way to compare public schools in Ontario - using test

scores and immigration background - not everyone thinks it's

good.

- Headline, Globe and Mail, April 6

Features Up

Mar 29 Apr 4 Apr 6

Public Launch

Public Meeting:

Minister decides

to remove

„School Bag‟.

Hearing concerns from stakeholders at a public meeting,

Minister agrees to:

- Remove „School Bag‟ comparison feature.

- Add more information.

Features Up

Mar 29 Apr 4 Apr 6 Apr 7

Public Launch

Public Meeting:

Minister decides

to remove

„School Bag‟

Online Petition Launched

„People for Education‟ Launches Online Petition:

“We are concerned that this site will encourage further social

polarization. “

Features Up

Mar 29 Apr 4 Apr 6 Apr 7

Public Launch

Public Meeting:

Minister decides

to remove

„School Bag‟.

Online Petition Launched

Coverage in:• Toronto Star

• Globe and Mail

• Ottawa Citizen

“Wynne deletes Web feature comparing schools, Minister

Backtracks”

- National Post, April 7, 2009

Features Up

Mar 29 Apr 4 Apr 6 Apr 7

Public Launch

Public Meeting:

Minister decides

to remove

„School Bag‟.

Online Petition Launched

Coverage in:• Toronto Star

• Globe and Mail

• Ottawa Citizen

„School Bag‟

removed.

Removal of „School Bag‟ feature delayed by site traffic:

- 11,000 hits by 11am.

Feature removed that afternoon.

All test scores & demographic data still available on site.

Features Up

Mar 29 Apr 4 Apr 6 Apr 7

Public Launch

Public Meeting:

Minister decides

to remove

„School Bag‟.

Online Petition Launched

Coverage in:• Toronto Star

• Globe and Mail

• Ottawa Citizen

„School Bag‟

removed.

Comments on School Finder Website Survey, April 7:

(loosely categorized)

1/3 – Take down the whole site.

1/3 – The site should provide more information.

1/3 – Governments should make all information available.

Features Up

Mar 29 Apr 4 Apr 6 Apr 7

Public Launch

Apr 8

Public Meeting:

Minister decides

to remove

shopping bag.

Online Petition Launched

Coverage in:• Toronto Star

• Globe and Mail

• Ottawa Citizen

Statement by

Premier.

„School Bag‟

removed.

“If you were to ask parents whether or not they want this

information, I know what their answer is.”

- Dalton McGuinty, Premier, April 8

"Part of the disappointment today was

that it is a partnership table,"

"This was the first time that people

were blindsided and had no idea what

was going on.“

- Annie Kidder, People for Education

Wynne deletes Web feature comparing schools,

Minister Backtracks, National Post, April 7, 2009

May 5, 2009

The Ministry of Education is working with stakeholders to add more information to the website.

The School Information Finder site is getting 300-800 hits per day.

What should government websites do?

Government websites should do everything.

I’m still not happy.

[24]

This is what start-ups do.

Potential for negative press by people who want to influence you.

Wynne deletes Web feature comparing schools,

Minister Backtracks

- National Post, April 7, 2009

Don’t surprise anyone.

Have a very visible consultation process.

Have well documented feedback that supports your decisions.

... Takes a long time.

Make the data free.

Let other people build the websites.

[21]

Requires: A Policy

1.What types of sites do I trust to

present my data accurately?

2.What types of sites do I trust to

provide me with accurate

feedback?

Make a badge.

This site is trusted by

the Government of

Ontario.

[23]

About VisibleGovernment.ca

Focus: US Congress

California Legislature

Gives grants to online transparency tools

UK Non-Profit

Simple, Effective Tools

High Participation

Photo by memespring, Flickr.com, Creative Commons ASA2G

Ideas

Skills

Funds

Accelerate online transparency

Raise Awareness With public

With government

Raise Money

Fund External Development: Grants

Contests

Prove Concept

Get Publicity

Raise Awareness

Show What’s Possible

Direct Attention and Money and to Online

Tools For Transparency

[15]

Standardize

• Scrape data into standard format

Stream

• Publish RSS feeds

Visualize

• Provide basic visualization app

• Hold contests

30,000 Records collected so far.

4 Volunteers.

155 Errors found.

1 Visualization company engaged.

1 Lawyer making sure things are on the up-and-up.

[15]

FixMyStreet

What you can do now.

[16]

“When you open up the data, there’s no limit to what people can do. It engages the imagination of citizens in building the city.”

-David Miller, Mayor of Toronto.Toronto 2.0: Data Sharing SourceThe Globe and Mail, 09-01-31

Vivek Kundra

CIO, United States of America

“... we need to make sure that all

that data that is not private, that is

not restricted for national security

reasons, can be made public. “

- Vivek Kundra, US CIO

data.gov

Vivek Kundra, US CIO In His Own Words, O‟Reilly Radar

http://radar.oreilly.com/2009/03/vivek-kundra-federal-cio-in-hi.html

[17]

Government of Canada

Treasury Board

ITERation Project

• Generalized system for publishing data

• Implements IMF Code of Conduct for

Fiscal Transparency

1. Issue a high level statement in support of

transparency and openness.

Adapted from: OMBWatch: Towards a 21st Century Right to Know Agenda [19]

Government should be transparent.

Information maintained by the Federal Government is a

national asset.

My Administration will take appropriate action, consistent

with law and policy, to disclose information rapidly in

forms that the public can readily find and use.

Executive departments and agencies should harness

new technologies to put information about their

operations and decisions online and readily available to

the public.

Executive departments and agencies should also solicit

public feedback to identify information of greatest use to

the public.

Memo from the President of the United States

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/TransparencyandOpenGovernment/ [22]

1. Issue a high level statement in support of

transparency and openness.

2. Adopt a policy of disclosure by default, as

opposed to by exception.

3. Allocate money to implement a more

transparent government.

4. Create job-level incentives to promote

disclosure and transparency.

Adapted from: OMBWatch: Towards a 21st Century Right to Know Agenda [19]

TO DO: You

1. Get things online, internally. (Use Excel

less.)

2. Identify what information you collect and

use.

3. Identify who owns the information, and how

it‟s licensed.

[19]

Anonymously report data sets and licensing.

Users can tie use cases to the information.

Site collects signups of people who would like to see that information released.

TO DO: You

4. Come up with a good plan, so you look

fantastic.

[19]

Further Resources:

VisibleGovernment.ca Website: http://visiblegovernment.ca

GSA – Office of Citizen Services and Communication Intra-governmental Newsletter : Transparency and Open Governmenthttp://www.usaservices.gov/events_news/documents/Transparency.pdf

OMBWatch: Towards a 21st Century Right to Know Agendahttp://www.ombwatch.org/node/3840

Government Data and the Invisible Hand, David Robinson et. al. Princeton Center for Information Technology Policyhttp://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1138083

Hack, Mash and Peer: Crowdsourcing Government TransparencyJerry Brito, George Mason Universityhttp://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1023485

ChangeCamp: http://groups.google.com/group/changecamp

Sunlight Foundation: http://www.sunlightfoundation.com/

http://www.slideshare.net/jenniferbell

Photo Credits:

[1] 234 social media marketing examples, beingpeterkimhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/beingpeterkim/2909140600/

[2] Printing Press, Thomas Hawk http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/172495285/

[3] Gold Bars, Curtis Perry http://www.flickr.com/photos/curtisperry/56998544

[4] Where’s Wally?, McGarry http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcgarry/111003432

[5] Eye see you!, dotbenjamin http://www.flickr.com/photos/dotbenjamin/2636942186

[6] Auntie P.'s ruler, John Edgar Parkhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/edgar/355067220

[7] Chemical Reaction, Neys http://www.flickr.com/photos/neys/2386865187

[8] Landmark Supermarket Trinoma, bredgurhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/bredgur/2655954991

[9] Cisco 2950, Marco Wessel http://www.flickr.com/photos/mhw/91952572/

[10] Hanging Boken Bulb II, bitzcelt http://www.flickr.com/photos/bitzcelt/450640323/

[11] United Colors of Legotton, Guillermo http://www.flickr.com/photos/grdloizaga/817425185

[12] Rotterdam: abstract architecture, docmanhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/docman/2216568210

[13] Roadblock, iboy daniel http://www.flickr.com/photos/iboy_daniel/83671284

[14] just take my hand let's fly away, funkyahhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/funkyah/2400889778/

[15] Amelia Earheart, missrougue, http://www.flickr.com/photos/missrogue/297606078/

[16] Dave Wants You, Chris Owens http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutter/105497713

[17] Robots Attack, Andy Wilson http://www.flickr.com/photos/by_andy/2646443630/

[18] Old Town, Tallinn, Estonia http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaeru/1442362288/

[19] Notepad with Lines, net_effekt, http://www.flickr.com/photos/wheatfields/1803278949/

[20] Untitled, ckramer, http://www.flickr.com/photos/ckramer/3013249503/

[21] ChangeCamp at MaRS, Matthew Burpeehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/mburpee/3223056900/

[22] Paper Lace, pareerica, http://www.flickr.com/photos/8078381@N03/2855146837/

[23] Employment Badge, Leo Reynolds, http://www.flickr.com/photos/49968232@N00/5238329/

[24] Me? Dave Parker, http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveparker/2758392869/