Open Data Strategy

Section 4 - When will our Data Open?

A number of organisations are already making some of their data open. To realise our vision and to meet the growing interest from users we encourage all organisations to have an Open Data publication plan in place and published on their website by December 2015. Organisations currently publishing data in a format which does not readily support re-use, should within their plan identify when the data will be made available in a more re-usable format. The ambition is for all data by 2017 to be published in a format of 3* or above.

Measurements

The Digital Public Services Measurements and Benefits Framework will help us to assess the progress in making more of our data open. The Framework contains 16 measures which provide coverage of the main benefits which Scotland's Digital Future - Delivery of Public Services Strategy aims to achieve. The open data measurement is:

• More Open Data sets are available for use by our citizens, businesses and research organisations (Benefit 7)

Measurement of this benefit will be undertaken during 2015. We will capture from organisations the number of data sets made open, the format of the data (its star rating) and where possible the frequency of download. There is no current baseline so this exercise will establish one and allow us to track progress.

Through the proposed Scottish Data Discovery Site we will collect feedback from users to understand how they are using the data, to help us measure the impact of using the data.

National Actions

To support organisations implementing this strategy the following actions will be undertaken at a National Level, as highlighted in section 3:

1) Development of a resource pack to support this strategy. The resource pack will be a living document which will include guidance (range of areas including; publication plan template, creation and use of metadata, format and available technologies, licensing), case studies and examples of best practice. Promote use of the resource pack through workshops/webinars. Development will commence in January, with the resource pack being developed during the first half of 2015, followed by promotion of it.

2) Provision of a procurement framework offering training, tailored for different roles in an organisation (this would include recognising the value of data, improving the quality of data). Framework to be in place by early 2016.

3) Scope out and establish a Scottish Data Discovery Site. The site will provide one place for individuals to go to, to access open data from across Scotland. Scoping to be completed by July 2015. Site to be in place early 2016

4) Undertake engagement with potential users of open data to understand the types and themes of data which would be of most use and should be prioritised to make open. Identify opportunities to undertake regional activities/events to promote re-use of data within communities. Where possible this will be done through working in collaboration with existing civil society organisations. Initial engagement to be completed by July 2015.

5) Promote awareness of the Re-Use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2015, to ensure organisations are aware of them and what they need to do to comply with them. To be undertaken following publication of the UK regulations (anticipated March 2015)