Open Data & Its Value, MISA, London, Ontario, Workshop

Open Data & Its Value

“Today’s Open Government – a New Approach to Public Service”Municipal Information Systems Association, Ontario Chapter

London, Ontario, November 24, 2011

Defining ‘value’

Noun:• the regard that something is held to deserve• the importance or preciousness of something

Verb:• Estimate the monetary worth of (something)

According to Google.com, http://google.com/search?q=define:value

Open Data’s ‘Value’(as a noun)

• In practice & theory, open data deserves praise– Its importance is great– Extremely precious

• It needs a fan club, cheering squad & an army– Not only open data, but its rock stars too

• Public Sector: Elaine Gamble, City of London• Private Sector:

– Businesses: rTraction, Echidna Solutions Corp., Microsoft– Individuals: Titus Ferguson, Noah Stewart, Gavin Blair

Open Data’s ‘Value’(as a verb)

• It’s priceless– It could be assigned an amount

• but not at the beginning of its adoption• Only over time, after analyzing its use & reduction in Government

spending

• Its ROI…– is create in many forms (apps, engagement, etc.)– by many people (inside & outside government)

• Public data is our greatest asset– With an enormous dollar amount assigned– Paid for by the public (your data = our data)

Value to Governments

Comes in a variety of forms:• Public Engagement

– The good and [maybe] not so good• informed criticism & critique

– Paints pictures and assists in story telling for public understanding

• Innovation– LTC’s “WebWatch” vs. NextStop– City of London’s “City Map” vs. Mashups– Documenting pollution via reports for citizens vs. Emitter.ca

Value to GovernmentsContinued

• Economic Growth– For those cities who have businesses focused around the notion

and practice of open government or data

• Collaboration– Internally (ex: cross departmental)– Externally (ex: solve problems that are being faced)

• Streamlined Processes– Through internally and externally developed applications– Example: City of Vancouver’s use of ReCollect.net

Value to Businesses & Non-Profits

• Streamline Processes– Through the reduction of man-hours spent performing grunt like tasks– Automate processes and tasks, allow for man hours to be spent well

• Create new products and services– NFFTT’s Public Fruit Mapping– Rocket Radar (for the TTC)– EatSure.ca

• Improve existing products or services

• Give back to the community at large– Engage with a larger audience & build communities

Value to Citizens

• Its not just the “hackers” who get value– It’s the average citizen too

• Value is received through:– Making citizens lives easier

• Seen in the creation of apps like NextStop, LondonTrash, eatsure.ca, Emitter.ca

– Increasing knowledge and understanding– Self-empowerment

Creating Value & Value Created

An analysis of NPOs in the GTA saved the GoC over 3.2 billion dollars

City of Vancouver received an analysis of potential damages to the city by an architecture & engineering firm if there was ever a tsunami

City of London’s approval for a Budget Data App Contest

OpenParliament.ca: Aims to increase transparency of the Canadian Parliament.

Created by Michael Mulley

Currently active

There are countless examples whereOpen Data has created or is creating value

www.nextstopapp.com

Its more then just releasing data(and creating apps)

At the end of the day, its about…• Increasing transparency, collaboration & participation• Building a knowledge based community• Creating value and opportunities for

– Governments,– Businesses, and– Citizens

Thank-you!If you have any questions, comments or thoughts…

let’s chat!