Tim Berners Lee (the inventor of World Wide Web) founded the open data initiative, which is why the answer is more nuanced. According to the Open Definition from the Open Data Institute: “Open data is a term used to describe information that may be reused, used and redistributed without restriction and is accessible for free.” It also states: “Universal participation must be enabled. It shouldn’t restrict any field of endeavor or individuals or organizations. It shouldn’t also impose restrictions on commercial use or restrict mixing of data sets.
An accessible format is another key factor in making data useful. Datasets should be stored in a format which is easily accessible, can be downloaded and processed by computer applications and be updated automatically whenever new data is published. Furthermore, they need to be able to be linked together in order to give context and allow for new analyses to be carried out.
The final component of a successful open-data initiative is that the primary focus should be placed on the most pressing issues facing your business or government. This is a great way to get the initial support of leadership and ensure that any funds invested in open data are spent on initiatives with the most potential for achieving positive results and generating value that is sustainable. This could take the form of increasing the creation of jobs, enhancing sustainability as well as increasing transparency, or encouraging the involvement of communities.
Comments (0)