Unveiling the blueprint: Indicators for an Open Data Impact Assessment

The impact of open data has long been a subject of interest, with studies aiming to quantify its contributions to the economy and society. However, a comprehensive understanding of open data’s impact has remained elusive, prompting a recent study to focus on developing a clear definition of the impact, incorporating structured methods and indicators. This study emphasises that clearly defining what is measured is essential for accurately assessing the true impact of open data.

Conceptualised around the open data value chain, the report ‘Indicators for an Open Data Impact Assessment’ examines how open data is transformed step-wise into an increasingly valuable asset for society. By categorising the effects associated with open data on outputs, outcomes, and impacts, the report provides a detailed view of the many ways open data can bear on various aspects of society.

The report defines numerous indicators that match the journey open data goes through in the value chain, from a raw dataset to a reuse case. Activities like traffic on an open data portal or the publishing of reuse cases can be converted into metrics that indicate the reuse and impact of open data. However, the report acknowledges the need for further validation and testing of such metrics to fully understand their predictive power.

Ultimately, the report offers a roadmap for navigating the complex endeavour of measuring the impact created by open data, providing valuable guidance for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners seeking to understand the full potential of open data. Read the full Report on data.europa.eu.

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