Photo courtesy of Katkamin_m
One of the things that’s important to understand about open data projects is that while they’re fundamental, it’s not all about a data catalogue and it’s not even all about data.
Instead, there are other core pieces that drive the decisions required to get data open. Without them, any open data project will truly struggle, if not outright fail. In technology, the list of components that make a software solution work is often called ‘the technology stack’. In this post, we want to talk about the ‘policy stack’ that drives DataBC.
So what’s in the stack?
The Premier and Cabinet’s Direction to Ministries: In BC, we’ve been incredibly lucky to have political leadership front and centre in the drive to open up government. The Premier’s Direction requires ministries to open up their data unless law, contract or policy prevents them from doing so. What the Premier says, the public service does. The direction from the top has helped focus the minds of the entire public service.
Transformation and Technology Planning: every year each ministry puts forward plans about how it will rethink its business in light of changes in demographics, citizen expectations and technology. This year, as part of their planning, every ministry has been asked to inventory its data, and prioritize what can be made open. Executive performance pay is tied to elements of these plans as determined by the Head of the Public Service.
The Open Data and Open Information Policy: this policy sets the terms and process by which data gets open. It defines the roles and responsibilities that govern open data and its elements. It also requires that each ministry ensure its data is free of third-party intellectual property and that privacy issues are addressed before release.
The Open Government License: the licensing of data sets the legal terms that empowers the use of data, including for commercial purposes. It’s fundamental to how government shares and how you can use data.
We think that together, these elements make a really powerful combination that will help BC lead the way in open data practices, and shows that we are serious about open data and doing it well.
That’s enough about us and what we think; tell us what you think. Have a read of the documents; ask us questions, give us feedback. We’re always looking for new directions and ways to improve.
