Getting The Most Out Of Open Data

Open data strategies — initially driven by goals of increased transparency and accountability in government spending and performance — are now shifting to supporting innovation and creating economic value. The history of weather and GPS data demonstrates the value of open data; both data sets have created multibillion-dollar industries. But new mandates for data openness coupled with increasing volumes of data will challenge the public and private sectors alike. Businesses recognize limitations to using only internal data to inform decisions and enhance product and services offerings, but they are unfamiliar with newly available data and with the techniques for consuming it.

Many government agencies, having initially launched programs focused on getting data sets online quickly, now wonder how to create viable open data programs to address new mandates and growing data volumes. Forrester's people, objectives, strategy, and technology (POST) plus execution and revision (ER) methodology provides a framework for developing and executing sustainable data programs. And a cadre of data brokers will step up to bridge the skills gaps, create marketplaces, and facilitate engagement among players in the ecosystem. Creating economic value through an ecosystem of data providers and consumers will best ensure the longevity of open data.

Agenda:

• Demonstrating The Economic Value Of Open Data: Historical And Present
• Getting The Basics Of Open Data Right With Sustainable Methodologies: POST+ER
• Don't Go It Alone: Ensure Success Of Open Data Programs With Data Broker Partners
• Open Data Is Not Just For Government: Private Sector Must Publish And Consume Data In An Extended Data Ecosystem

Key Takeaways:

• Public sector organizations will review their open data policies and programs and eventually shift to a more robust and sustainable methodology to identify potential audiences, the objectives and strategies of the program and the technologies to be used.
• Public sector organizations will improve execution of open data programs by reaching out to an ecosystem of third-parties with expertise in data management and distribution including promotion.
• Private sector organizations will look to leverage open data in their strategic planning and business intelligence processes, and they will consider ways in which they too can publish data within their extended data ecosystem.
• Data brokers will expand activities to help facilitate publication and use of open data in government and among the private sector.

Vendors mentioned: Beyond the Arc, Crédit Agricole, Data Publica, ESRI, FirstFuel, IBM, Junar Leafully, MyCityWay, Opower, Placr, Socrata, Trulia, and Zillow.