Supporting accountability and transparency. Building business relationships

Transcription

1 OPEN DATA

2 Esri and the geographic information system (GIS) community are no strangers to open data. We've been advocating the sharing of data for decades because we had a firm belief that people should be exchanging data to gain more insight, have access to the most up-to-date information, and work to solve problems as a community. Esri founder and president Jack Dangermond coined this approach societal GIS and foresaw a global network of information that could be used by GIS professionals and society in general to transform our world. With time, the rest of the technology-savvy civic leaders and government community came to understand the importance of open data. The discussion was open to all, not just GIS professionals, and we began to use open data to increase transparency between citizens and the governments that served them. We used open data to meet the demands of constituents wanting to hold officials more accountable and establish a line of communication between agencies, businesses, and the public. But are transparency and accountability the only reasons we use open data? Open data is not a means to an end. It is so much more than just a tool to meet expectations. We have entered a new phase in the open data movement. It is time to reflect on the lessons learned and look to leverage new technology for the next generation of open data users. Esri has played a pivotal role in the open data movement, and we are committed to continuing its advancement. This paper will explore how open data is quickly becoming a business intelligence tool for making data-driven decisions as well as the following: Supporting accountability and transparency Building business relationships Feeding mainstream applications Creating jobs and revenue Stimulating collaboration with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and government agencies Improving staff productivity Driving economies Informing policy Establishing a hub of innovation What s Next for Open Data 1

3 Open data is a balancing act. A successful open data strategy should work to share information equally, both internally and externally. The first half of the movement is sharing data outside the organization. Outside sharing can be from government to community, government to government, or government to NGO/academia. Pushing data outside an organization can lead to innovation and economic growth. When the United States Census Bureau began releasing its data for the first time, this stimulated an information economy, which allowed governments to use the data as a foundation for more data-driven decisions and work. This has also led to academic and institutional research as well as the creation of firms specializing in market research, polling, and analysis. We are seeing a resurgence of this, but this time in communities big and small, all across the nation. The other half of the movement recognizes that sharing data internally is just as important. Departments need to share information. Too often, data is kept in silos with no centralized access point. There are multiple datasets of the same information being managed by multiple departments. Government employees, other agencies, and decision-makers need access to the same information in a centralized location and in a common format. Organizations sharing their data internally are seeing increased collaboration among departments, a reduction in work since little to no time has to be spent looking for the data, and decreased duplication of effort. Open data is not just about sharing data; it is also about using it in innovative ways, such as creating apps and solutions with it and helping stakeholders make data-driven decisions. Setting up an open data site allows citizens, government employees, developers, startups, and more, to launch new solutions and applications almost immediately. Are we seeing real benefits from open data? The answer to that question is yes. There are currently more than 40,000 open data sites across the United States, and that number is growing every day. Departments, organizations, cities, counties, states, and regions are seeing great benefits from sharing their data and are starting to run metrics to quantify their success. When a trend starts, there is often not enough data to understand its full impact, but now that open data has been around for some time, we are starting to see the return on investment hit critical mass. What s Next for Open Data 2

4 Open data sites provide a format for transparency, accountability, and communication. These initial benefits helped governments justify their investment in open data to their citizens. Law enforcement was the first group to really leverage open data to increase transparency and build public trust. By being given access to information on vehicle stops, police use of force, and crime analysis, citizens can start to understand the decisions that government officials and law enforcement agencies make within a community. One agency, the Philadelphia Police Department, made an effort to establish communication with its citizens by leveraging the city's open data site OpenDataPhilly. To ensure that citizens had access to critical information about public safety and their community, the department started publishing crime data in 2009, and it has been expanding the collection as part of its Open Government Initiative ever since. One of the department's major goals was to communicate the meaning of terry stops, which are pedestrian investigations where an officer carries out a cursory search of a person for weapons if the officer has reason to believe that the person is armed. To explain the strategy behind the policing technique, the department published a story map sharing the data and the staff's findings. The data showed that stops weren't actually random nor were they focused only on certain groups, as the public once believed, and that there were more terry stops in certain areas because crime and violent activities were more prevalent in those neighborhoods. and analysis, not random guesswork. The data and public maps showed that neighborhoods with higher victimization and criminal activity had a higher police presence. Publishing the department's data and reports showed that Philadelphia's police activity and efforts directly corresponded with the volume of crime. Philadelphia Police Department analyzes crime v. police activity to better protect citizens and allocate resources. The department also sought to show that the allocation of police resources was based on information What s Next for Open Data 3

5 Open data can also have real economic benefits for organizations, governments, and communities. It can stimulate an information economy and promote investment and new businesses. Setting up an open data site can give companies the opportunity to understand the market potential in a region or the optimal location to open their business. This also levels the playing field between smaller, local-run shops and larger corporations who can afford to pay a consultant for this type of information. Open data provides equal opportunity to leverage information and make more data-driven decisions, regardless of the size of a company. The city of Johns Creek, Georgia, with a population of around 82,000, is using open data to drive entrepreneurship and commercial growth. Its open data site provides interactive maps and datasets about address points, parcels, zoning, and public safety. City staff enrich the site with Esri income, lifestyle, and spending data, which can help inform businesses of opportunities and market potential. Everything on the site is courtesy of the Johns Creek government, saving entrepreneurs and business owners a lot of money and consulting time. To ensure the data is found and used, the city has partnered with its economic development organization, Johns Creek Advantage. "Having access to free, trustworthy, and useful information substantially lowers one of the risks [that] startups and small businesses face," said Courtney Bernardi, CEO of Johns Creek Advantage. The city even offers instructional videos to help people learn how to use the site and carry out relevant workflows like locating vacant commercial sites or finding potential customers. Providing this type of data to new businesses or investors can encourage business expansion and attraction in a region. And regardless of whether it is a large, well-known retailer or a mom-andpop store, all entrepreneurs and prospective businesses will have access to the same data that can make them more successful and promote economic growth for the community. Johns Creek s open data portal provides how-to videos to ensure the entire community is able to understand and leverage the data and analysis they have provided. What s Next for Open Data 4

6 With open data, communities and organizations can promote the development of new applications and solutions that leverage available information to provide new services or improve the lives of citizens. Governments are expected to build certain solutions for their citizens like road closure apps or polling place locators. Although governments will continue to create these applications, as expected, the benefit of open data is that mainstream applications can also be created that leverage this readily available data. Startups and developers can create solutions that support government workflows and citizen engagement. Once again, we can draw from the example at the city of Johns Creek. After pushing out data like road closures and road construction, Waze, the very popular crowdsourcing traffic navigation app, partnered with Johns Creek in a two -way data exchange program. Paige Fitzgerald, program manager of the Connected Citizens Program at Waze, explains the benefits of the public-private partnership: "We are helping to improve mobility, improve communities, by providing a platform for governments to get out critical information both in real time about crashes, about storms or other crises, and planned events such as major closures, a parade, a festival. So by providing a platform to get that information out to users, we reduce congestion overall because we reroute users around those closures, that congestion, in real time." This mutually beneficial relationship is all due to open data. Waze gets more accurate local traffic and construction data, as well as points of interest data from the city, while Johns Creek can use Waze data to better understand traffic through the community and get local businesses added exposure on a mainstream application. What s Next for Open Data 5

7 A new revelation in economic development is the need to incubate growth through startups. In the tech world, this oftentimes refers to companies that build apps solutions for pothole reporting, graffiti abatement, election polling locators, and road closures. What drives these applications is the availability of a large amount of framework data and authoritative information through open data sites. What we are beginning to see is the realization that open data is becoming a foundation for economic development through tech and software startups. Esri initiated a startup program providing software, development code, and marketing support to help jump-start businesses. Companies that have come to the forefront are all leveraging open data. Fishidy, an app used by fish- Fishidy provides a platform for fishing enthusiasts to connect, share catches, and find the latest fishing reports. Snaptrends empowers organizations to better understand patterns, trends, and location based on social media feeds. ing enthusiasts, provides interactive fishing maps, visualizes and analyzes social media feeds, and provides information on thousands of waterways across the country to find the best fishing spots for its users. Echosec software combines social media posts with Esri data to display realtime information about natural disasters, wars, and other global events, providing intelligence to law enforcement, security, marketing, and journalism professionals for greater insight and better decision-making. Snaptrends, another Esri startup, also mines social media feeds and runs analysis to provide insight into business, brand management and marketing, health care, public safety, sporting events, and utility strategies. These companies have produced more than 50 jobs, and they continue to grow. They are contributing valuable tax revenue for the jurisdictions they reside in. This is the new small business model taking the world by storm. Data drives business by providing startups with the information and tools they need to be successful. Open data should be a part of every community's economic gardening strategy to support local business, create jobs, and drive revenue. Echosec allows for more informed decision making for public safety, health, marketing, and more by visualizing social media feeds. What s Next for Open Data 6

8 The New Mexico Community Data Collaborative used the open data site to launch collaborative maps and workshops. When the open data movement started, it was focused on outward facing data distribution, not inward. What many organizations came to realize was that there was an immense benefit on opening information for their own employees. Having a single site promotes inter-agency collaboration, a greater understanding of patterns across regions, as well as a decrease in the time spent collecting data that someone else already has. In New Mexico, there was a need to create a centralized, collaborative data service that would support health advocacy efforts covering the entire state. The New Mexico Community Data Collaborative (NMCDC) was created to have a central data warehouse that could provide open data of all types to help inform resource allocation, local services, as well as identify health disparities. The NMCDC is a network of 50+ active public health advocates and analysts from more than three dozen state agencies and nongovernmental organizations. The collaborative provides not only health data but other datasets such as income, crime, education, and service data that are essential components in understanding health patterns and making more informed decisions about health advocacy. After the site went live: The NMCDC organized more than 80 workshops that have helped them increase collaboration among agencies and more strategically plan interventions, target limited resources, and change policy Their site hosts more than 75 maps and apps Some of their maps have been opened more than 100 times a day What s Next for Open Data 7

9 Hoarding data does not help anyone. Oftentimes people will maintain their own datasets that they are unwilling to share. As we know, keeping data siloed not only fails to promote collaboration, but it also puts more pressure on those maintaining the data. Data managers can become inundated with data requests as well as struggle to keep a single dataset updated and in a common format. With an open data site, many organizations have seen a decrease in time spent gathering data and responding to data requests from internal sources, decision-makers, and the public. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is a perfect example of an organization struggling to stay ahead of the data requests. It decided to create an open data site where people could find the data themselves, in a common format that they could understand. Before the site went live, the commission typically received about 200 requests per year. Now, the number of requests has dropped by over 70 percent, and by utilizing the data, the commission is seeing the creation of private sector and commercial products for the hunting and fishing market. The commission shares trail, and game data with the public. Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of open data is that it can be used to drive the economy of an entire nation. Sharing data has many economic benefits. It creates jobs, cuts cost, and exposes new opportunities for developers and entrepreneurs. In the case of the Republic of Ireland, open data was used to help stimulate many aspects of the Irish economy, and the nation is still reaping the benefits of open data today. Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi), the national mapping agency for the Republic of Ireland, already had a web-based map viewer, but to keep up with the demand of the more than 1.5 million unique visitors a year, OSi decided it needed to redevelop and modernize its online mapping presence. The agency created GeoHive, a free web service and open data site that combines its mapping data with data from a wide range of public sector partners to create an authoritative, national data network. What s Next for Open Data 8

10 Built on the ArcGIS platform, GeoHive allows users to access datasets that help them gain insight into various situations and easily share their findings via mobile devices. This was created to encourage new investments in Ireland to support the recovery of the nation's economy. As part of the project, OSi, using the public data, has also published web maps and story maps that provide context for the data and the issues the nation faces. One example is a story map that OSi created to show workforce, skills, infrastructure, and transportation data across Ireland. Hugh Mangan, general manager of business and marketing for OSi, said, "If a business owner is considering opening a new office or factory in Galway, GeoHive presents all the information that they need to help them understand the area and make informed decisions." Providing real-world solutions and scenarios gives businesses and investors all the information they need. "ArcGIS has enabled OSi to deliver a service that has the potential to really boost the value of geospatial data to the Irish economy," said OSi chief executive Colin Bray. "By making location-based data more accessible, usable, and meaningful for everyone, GeoHive will help public and private sector organizations to reduce costs, save time, and capitalize on new business opportunities." Irish citizens also benefit from GeoHive. They have easy access to public information, which allows them to leverage applications that assist in things like buying residential properties. For instance, OSi published a story map that shows nearby schools, transportation networks, employment opportunities, local hospitals, and crime data, which can help potential homeowners make better-informed decisions when purchasing a home. OSi recently commissioned a report from an independent economic research organization, Indecon, to quantify the benefits of its GeoHive site. Enables the public sector to annually save an estimated Frees up enough time to equal an estimated Provides in competition benefits across the nation an estimated ( 82 million) ( 279 million) ( 104 million) What s Next for Open Data 9

11 Governments are oftentimes reactive rather than proactive. They usually know when there is a problem, but they don't know when to focus on it or how much effort to spend on it. How do governments know if they're truly being affected by a trend or not? Would they want to pass laws and organize around a problem or concern that may not be there in a few months? This not only costs taxpayers money, but it prevents governments from being able to mobilize around another problem that could be even more dire. Should the threat of an aging workforce actually draw concern? Is the West Nile or Zika virus something that needs to be addressed? Open data can be a system of insight that provides definitive proof of an issue and helps organizations understand a problem at local and regional levels. Above all, open data can influence and drive policy. With access to more information, governments can make better-informed decisions on issues affecting their community. Use story maps to present analysis and findings in order to influence and change policy. holders if nothing is done. Most importantly, we can move from analysis to action by turning data and analytics into programs, applications, and policy to address the problem. A number of communities have already published web maps of locations where citizens can drop off unused prescriptions, a simple way to try to remove temptation and a step toward changing behavior. Seeing overwhelming In the United States, we are seeing the rise of opioid and proof of the nationwide epidemic through mapping and heroin abuse. By aggregating open data from various analysis, the federal government signed the Comprehensources, like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) in July 2016 to tion (CDC) and the Department of Justice, we can begin to award grants to address "the national epidemics of previsualize this problem and see how we can work to stop scription opioid abuse and heroin use." This is a prime exthis epidemic. By gathering data from various sources, orample of taking open data and turning it into action to inganizations can begin to run analysis and discover patterns fluence policy. to better understand next steps. This information can then be put into context through storytelling to communicate recommendations and identify consequences to stake- Discover and analyze trends of opioid prescription claims or drug poisoning deaths, like the map above. What s Next for Open Data Provide an application of prescription drop-off locations to change behavior. 10

12 The ultimate goal of any organization leveraging open data should be to create a larger environment of innovation, transparency, community building, and growth. Open data is not about one group or department; it should work to bring people together across departments, agencies, communities, and disciplines. An example of the synergy created by open data is in the city of Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles has a long history of using GIS technology to manage its operations and services and to make better decisions. But city staff didn't necessarily have a strategy around open data. The city saw the need to share its data to make employees more productive, stimulate partnerships between the city and community, and give residents the opportunity to participate more in government. Dubbed GeoHub, the city's open data site has spurred innovation among governments, businesses, and other organizations throughout the region, and it has seen immense benefits and return on investment. "Los Angeles is known as a place that thinks big. We are known for our curiosity. We are known for our innovation," said mayor Eric Garcetti. "[GeoHub] will help us reinvent the way we deliver services and broaden our ability to engage residents and businesses to improve the quality of life in their city." GeoHub makes interagency and interdepartmental collaboration instantaneous. A larger hub of data allows the city to address issues, such as public safety and homelessness, across multiple departments. "Let's say a firefighter with an ipad or a mobile device is called to respond to an emergency like an earthquake. Thanks to GeoHub, he or she could just pull up more than the 911 data for that call. [Firefighters] could find more important facts like building inspection status, location of the nearest fire hydrants, sewer lines, streetlights any information that would make it easier to respond to an emergency," Garcetti explained. In addition to giving city employees and departments access to data for better decision-making, GeoHub also aims to establish partnerships between government and the community at large. With unlimited access to the city's data, developers can create new apps; businesses and startups can understand market potential to increase their success; and NGOs and academia can use the data to drive research, studies, and policy. Notable focal points of the GeoHub site are the applications and interactive maps provided by the office of innovation that showcase how staff are putting the data to work to change policy and improve the community. A number of applications are displayed that address citywide initiatives like Vision Zero, whose goal is to reduce injuries and deaths from roadway collisions to zero by 2025, or the Road to 2400, an ongoing effort to repave 2,400 miles of road each year. These applications track the city's efforts, and they all include a list of datasets used, so the community can use the same data to build their own solutions and get more involved in supporting these objectives. GeoHub, much like the other sites we've mentioned, has a holistic approach to taking advantage of what open data has to offer, which is a consistent theme across all the examples we've provided. These sites curate the data; highlight activities that are important to the community; present a call to action; provide the necessary resources to enable everyone to use the tools and data immediately; and, finally, push out apps for rapid consumption by employees and the public. What s Next for Open Data 11

13 What makes one open data site better than another? How can your organization realize some of the many benefits of open data we have discussed? We have recognized seven key elements that help distinguish a good open data site from a great one: MAKE DATA EXPLORABLE An easy-to-use, approachable interface will immediately show whether your open data site will be utilized. A site that is difficult to navigate or a search tool that doesn't provide easy access to relevant information will determine whether the public and your organization can benefit from open data. A great open data site presents data that is easy to discover and use. INCLUDE MAPPING & OPERATIONAL DATA Open data is a technology that both non-gis and GIS professionals can benefit from. Esri knows an open data site needs to support all types of datasets. Great open data sites recognize this and provide geospatial data, along with tabular and operational data, in one place. OPEN DATA INTERNALLY & EXTERNALLY Organizations need to understand that open data not only benefits outside parties, but it also encourages internal collaboration. An open data site can break down silos and provide data to all those who need it, without lengthy requests. Organizations with sites that put emphasis on data access for internal use and interagency communication have increased their success. PROVIDE CONTEXT THROUGH STORY MAPS A great open data site should not only provide data, but it should give context to the problems that governments are trying to solve. Creating apps and story maps that give the setting and background of an issue helps visitors understand the power of the data you're providing. OFFER TRAINING & DEVELOPER TOOLS Great open data sites understand that visitors may not always be GIS/IT trained or informed on what the data can do. By providing video tutorials and how-to documentation, the use of the data can increase. Providing resources for developers can also encourage the developer community to leverage your data and create new solutions and applications that will benefit your community. LEVERAGE A LARGER ECOSYSTEM Take advantage of every opportunity to find new and innovative ways for the data to be used by involving the entire community. Engage with startups, entrepreneurs, nongovernmental organizations, and developers to increase the support for an initiative, improve efficiency and productivity, cut cost by reducing duplication of work, and drive economic growth and entrepreneurship. LAUNCH APPS FOR IMMEDIATE USE Prebuilt applications can help visitors realize the benefits of the data you've made available. Providing a few examples of how the data can be used can propel the use of your data even further. What s Next for Open Data 12

14 We've learned a lot about the open data movement since it started. It was first in the GIS and IT communities, driven by elected officials and civic-minded groups. Then we saw the coming together of these worlds technology, government, and citizens and we learned that open data can be a business intelligence tool for making more data-driven decisions. Open data is a foundation for building smart communities. It leads to rapid prototyping of applications, greater collaboration, improved productivity and efficiency, and increased communication, with a real return on investment. So what's next? Imagine a single hub that connects all open data sites for a state or community of any size. This hub concept will help solve larger problems and initiatives one nation, one state, and one local government at a time. As we see this hub trend emerge, Esri technology will be there to meet it. Esri challenges you to create an open data strategy today. go.esri.com/opendata What s Next for Open Data 13