Disruptive ProactivityCabinet Office’s proposed Open Data User Group
“When the words “intelligent customer on behalf of Government” are used in relation to “Open Data”, and the Shareholder Executive, and tightly closed discussions, and when various large stakeholders in the open data ecosystem are ignored, what can possibly go wrong:
Invitation to help Government shape its approach to Open Data
As part of establishing the Public Data Group (PDG) and the Data Strategy Board (DSB) – delivering on a commitment to create a Public Data Corporation – Cabinet Office proposes to set up an Open Data User Group (ODUG). This group will act as an intelligent customer on behalf of Government on Open Data, and through its chair provide advice for the DSB on where to spend funding allocated for Open Data. Building on the existing knowledge and experience among Open Data activists, users and re-users of Government data, we are seeking to develop a strong framework for the ODUG.
It is envisaged that part of this group’s influence will would stem from the production of evidence of economic or social growth; the creation of new jobs; and the emergence of a new data markets. The group will be supported by a secretariat in Cabinet Office Transparency Team.
This session is set up to allow for a frank discussion – under Chatham House rules and with the express understanding that wider communication (blogs, tweets etc) would not be appropriate – with a representative selection from the Open Data community, as well as commercial users and re-users of Open Data.
The aim of the session will be to gather views on how the ODUG needs to be developed in order to give the most effective and balanced advice for how to prioritise and spend funding allocated for Open Data. In achieving this aim, the session will focus on questions like:
- What is the appropriate formation of the ODUG?
- How can we ensure the collection and analysis of credible evidence to support Open Data purchasing decisions?
- What is the most effective way to involve as wide a representation from Open Data users and re-users as possible?
To support the aim of the session, the following agenda has been drawn up:
- Welcome and introductions
- Opening remarks from Cabinet Office – what is the current situation?
- Brainstorm Consolidation of opinion
- Closing remarks and next steps
- AOB
Especially since the diverse set of conversations I’ve heard about after that meeting are that the questions were set up to get broad answers, which were then cherry picked (sorry, “consolidated”) by those involved based on whatever it was they wanted to hear (e.g. section 6).
Anyone who was at the meeting care to comment quietly? (I wasn’t, and nor would I have expected to be). Or got a copy of the full attendee list?
i was invited but couldn’t go. events like this have their role although the emphasis on a misunderstood version of the chatham house rule was odd.
in general i would have repeated my line that the open data movement needs to focus hard on people who are already campaigning at grass roots level and help them use data.
this means getting out of london, away from media land and around the country to work with people on the ground. as nesta did in their ‘make it local’ scheme which i worked on.
I wasn’t suggesting that the meeting shouldn’t have happened (of course it should), but the manner in which certain individuals who were running it were asking questions and their approach to the variety of answers may be worthy of some further consideration.
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