WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - Data transparency continues to be a major focus across government, as agencies open data and leverage third-party developers to create applications. But according to panelists speaking at the ACT-IAC Executive Leadership Conference on Oct. 25, collaboration shouldn't just be around the mashups, but around the data set itself.

"One of the principles of open data is that you don't wait forever before you release it. Just like open source is a collaboration to make software better, open data is a collaboration to make data better," said Todd Park, chief technology officer at Health and Human Services Department.

Soon, HHS will make a health-indicators data warehouse public, but because it includes national, state, local and regional health statistics, "it's actually going to release multiple indicators for the same fundamental measurements," said Park. "We're not waiting to reconcile them, we're going to release the data 'cause we actually want to engage people and have a conversation about what's measured and see what's best."

In the past, HHS ensured data was completely clean before releasing it, causing data to be held privately for too long, said Park. And while he doesn't want to release every bit of raw data into the public before it's ready--which could result in rapid development around data with inaccuracies--there must be a middle road.

"It would make sense to think about the release of data sets the way you think about the release of software," said Park, "Then you can say, 'look this is in beta mode, it's been through XYZ process but we want feedback as to what's actually there and if there are any issues.' Then you can start an open dialog about the data set that moves it from beta, to beyond beta, like you would with software."

Fortunately, he added, responsible developing--where developers think critically about the data sets their using--is somewhat self regulating. The developer community is composed of innovators, who have made their name on providing insight to people, said Park, the last thing they will want to do is create an app based on inaccurate data that would hurt their legitimacy.  

For more:
- read all of our ELC 2010 coverage

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