Data sharing brings together data sources to allow cross-analysis, which creates additional value for outcomes across the government. Data sharing in government overall is often ad hoc, driven by high-profile incidents. By contrast, data sharing as a program is a systematic and scalable approach to enable data reuse and services innovation.
Sharing requires compromise, strong sponsorship and political leadership. This means that CIOs must work with stakeholders to develop a data-sharing strategy across multiple scales, focusing on value and driving government goals.
All participating parties accept an increased risk to data they previously controlled, as well as exposure of data inadequacies, in return for contributions to mission delivery or budget savings.
There is a responsibility to deliver value and improve over time.
A data-sharing program does not need to solve the whole problem at once and can develop value in proportion to effort. Data of mixed quality exposes the originator to criticism for lack of control but also puts the user at risk of inaccuracies in decisions based on flawed data.
The data subject or originator and the data stewards must believe that the information is being shared appropriately, despite occasionally conflicting stakeholder expectations. Years of a culture of compartmentalization for security reasons now needs to be shifted to use of data to serve citizens and accelerate improvements.
Gartner estimates that by 2023, 50% of government organizations will establish formal accountability structures for data sharing, including standards for data structure, quality and timeliness. At the same time, organizations across all sectors, including government, that implement data sharing will outperform their peers on most business value metrics.