DiXi Group expert Andrii Bilous: open data should be made useful
The topic of open data in the public sector was extensively discussed during the Open Data Forum 2019 held in Kyiv on 19 September. Speaking at the event, Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said that Ukraine is ranked second in the world in terms of the progress in data opening, and within three years the country should make it to the top three in terms of the amount of data opened. A report containing assessment of the progress in publication of open data in Ukraine as of 1 August 2019 was presented during a panel discussion at the Open Data Forum. According to information by TAPAS, the Ministry of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine is the leader among 21 “heavyweight” controllers (going to publish 14+ unique datasets). In particular, the Energy Ministry has the highest score in the Open Data Quality section (frequency of updating and completeness of publishing open data sets, machine-readability, data types). However, low score in the Open Data Impact section (promotion by controller of the use of published datasets, organization of monitoring, impact assessment, advantages from published datasets for the public) are worth noting as well. “Comparing to other government agencies, the Energy Ministry is one of the best in terms of data opening. It ensures not only a formal publication of data as required by resolution but also quality of this data,” Andrii Bilous, Open Data Manager at DiXi Group who was present at the Forum assessed the Ministry’s position. “Still, there are aspects that should be worked on more. In my opinion, in order to retain this position the Ministry should give attention to communication of data to consumers. It will allow to receive feedback from consumers and improve quality, to make data useful. Another aspect is to work on reducing the share of manual data processing and automating processes, which would allow to achieve, in particular, more frequent data updating and make data more detailed.” The Open Data Forum is an annual nationwide event uniting government officials, Ukrainian and international experts, public activists and startup community around the topic of development and use of open data. As international experience proves, data opening stimulates creation of new services, improves interaction between the society and the government, and increases transparency of activity and trust in public authorities, in particular, in the energy sector.