Open data
Information that is discoverable and usable by the public
Open data is information collected by the government and made available to everyone. From information on specific landmarks to statistics on the economy or the environment, availability of open data can drive innovation, efficiency, and value for the public.
Related Policy
M-13-13, Guidance on managing open information as an asset
Open data: Essential knowledge
-
Decoding public sentiment: Harnessing open data to gain insights into service delivery
Learn how open data can accelerate your customer experience strategy.
-
How to get your open data on Data.gov
Find out how federal, federal geospatial, and non-federal data is funneled to Data.gov.
-
Understanding the Site Scanning program
This program automatically generates data about the health and best practices of federal websites.
Open data events
Spotlight Chat on the CDC Open Epidemic Forecasting Community
Federal Crowdsourcing Webinar Series, Episode 14: Putting Open Data to Work for America’s Communities
Open data news
Data.gov launches metrics tools
New Data.gov metrics dashboard provides information on most visited datasets, most downloaded files, most clicked outbound links, top search terms, and more.
Maximizing impact of federal websites: Integrating metrics with annual goals and policies
The Open Data, Design, and Development (ODDD) team discusses how OMB’s recent memo, Delivering a Digital-First Public Experience (M-23-22), inspired them to reassess their metrics plan to harmonize with policies governing federal public websites.— via Office of Natural Resources Revenue
Sharing artifacts and outputs from research
Have you conducted user research and are now wondering which artifacts or outputs you can share and with whom? 18F provides tips on determining your target audiences, using discretion for sensitive data, and ensuring that such work complies with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA).— via 18F
How a Small Team Modernized a Federal Website to Improve CX
The recent redesign of the Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) website stands as an example for agencies seeking to enhance their online platforms. ONRR’s Open Data, Design, and Development (ODDD) team played a pivotal role in this website transformation by embracing open data, user-centered design, accessibility, collaboration, and continuous improvement.— via Performance.gov
HHS Leverages Data for Impact and Action at the 2023 Health Datapalooza
U.S. Digital Corps Fellows at HHS proved instrumental to delivering this year’s Health Datapalooza, especially the 2023 Health Equity DataJam, which launched at the event as a two-month-long technology sprint through the end of April. A professional association for health services and policy researchers will run the DataJam using HHS open data. Thanks to the U.S. Digital Corps Fellows, HealthData.gov includes DataJam challenge prompts, priority themes, open datasets, and curated resources for solvers.— via U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Resources on Open data
-
How to Build an Analytics Strategy
A case study using Digital.gov as an example of how to assess, report, and take action using web analytics as part of an analytics strategy.
-
Inventory.data.gov Guide
Introduction Features Using inventory.data.gov Creating a User Account Using inventory.data.gov to manage datasets Adding a Dataset Exporting Data.json Automating data.json downloads by agencies Dataset Hosting Webinar on inventory.data.gov Introduction Inventory.data.gov is a data management tool established in 2013 by the Data.gov Program Management Office (PMO) in what is now the Technology Transformation Service of the
-
How to Get Your Open Data on Data.gov
Find out below how federal, federal geospatial, and non-federal data is funneled to Data.gov and how you can get your data federated on Data.gov for greater discoverability and and impact.
Tools and Services
-
Resources.Data.gov
An online repository of policies, schema standards, tools, best practices, and case studies to provide agencies with resources for federal data management.
-
API.Data.gov
A free API management service for federal agencies.
-
Code.gov
A collection of federal source code including open source software.
-
Data.gov
Data, tools, and resources to conduct research, develop web and mobile applications.
More News and Events on Open data
238 posts
Data.gov launches metrics tools
New Data.gov metrics dashboard provides information on most visited datasets, most downloaded files, most clicked outbound links, top search terms, and more.
Maximizing impact of federal websites: Integrating metrics with annual goals and policies
The Open Data, Design, and Development (ODDD) team discusses how OMB’s recent memo, Delivering a Digital-First Public Experience (M-23-22), inspired them to reassess their metrics plan to harmonize with policies governing federal public websites.— via Office of Natural Resources Revenue
Sharing artifacts and outputs from research
Have you conducted user research and are now wondering which artifacts or outputs you can share and with whom? 18F provides tips on determining your target audiences, using discretion for sensitive data, and ensuring that such work complies with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA).— via 18F
Supporting inclusive language through automation
How a Small Team Modernized a Federal Website to Improve CX
The recent redesign of the Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) website stands as an example for agencies seeking to enhance their online platforms. ONRR’s Open Data, Design, and Development (ODDD) team played a pivotal role in this website transformation by embracing open data, user-centered design, accessibility, collaboration, and continuous improvement.— via Performance.gov
HHS Leverages Data for Impact and Action at the 2023 Health Datapalooza
U.S. Digital Corps Fellows at HHS proved instrumental to delivering this year’s Health Datapalooza, especially the 2023 Health Equity DataJam, which launched at the event as a two-month-long technology sprint through the end of April. A professional association for health services and policy researchers will run the DataJam using HHS open data. Thanks to the U.S. Digital Corps Fellows, HealthData.gov includes DataJam challenge prompts, priority themes, open datasets, and curated resources for solvers.— via U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Implementing Equitable Data To Ensure Government Works for the Public
U.S. Digital Corps Fellow, Meredith Brown, reflects on her journey to civic tech and her impactful work supporting the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Webinar Recap: How to Measure Effectiveness of Your Digital Outreach and Communications
Panelists shared their experiences, lessons learned, and best practices for what works in federal government agencies that have robust programs reaching a diverse American public.
Measuring and Justifying the Government Experience
Measuring and Justifying the Government Experience—Private sector organizations use revenue as the primary measurement to justify improving experiences. Many government services don’t have revenue as a lever, so how can we justify work to improve experience? The Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) leveraged a few metrics on their team that fall into three categories: laws and regulations, improving the experience for users, and saving time for employees.— via Office of Natural Resources Revenue
Technology-boosting TMF Investments Deliver Benefits for the American Public
The Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) is working to transform the way the government uses technology to deliver for the American public in an equitable, secure and user-friendly way. It strategically invests in priority IT modernization projects that are aligned with the fast pace of changing technology and agency needs. Here are a few examples of how the TMF has invested in multiple projects that are helping many agencies deliver what people need when they need.
Spotlight Chat on the CDC Open Epidemic Forecasting Community
GSA’s New Multi-Cloud & Hybrid Cloud Guide Helps Agencies Make Better Decisions About Cloud Architecture
GSA’s New Multi-Cloud & Hybrid Cloud Guide Helps Agencies Make Better Decisions About Cloud Architecture—Agencies need informed strategies to understand, anticipate, rationalize, and optimize major cloud architecture decisions. To facilitate the decision process, the GSA Data Center and Cloud Optimization Initiative Program Management Office (DCCOI PMO) is pleased to announce the release of the Multi-Cloud and Hybrid Cloud Guide, developed in collaboration with the Cloud and Infrastructure Community of Practice (C&I CoP). This guide is another example of GSA’s commitment to creating simple, user-friendly information and resources to help federal agencies use technology to meet their missions in an effective and efficient way.— via General Services Administration
USAGov Fourth Quarter 2021 Insights
USAGov’s Fourth Quarter 2021 Insights—From July to September 2021, people were concerned about COVID-19-related housing and international travel as they searched USA.gov. Get more user insights from our 4th quarter infographic for fiscal year (FY) 2021.— via USA.gov
Prioritizing Equity in Government-Led Innovation Programs
For the second year, college and university students are leveraging the TOP model from Census to build hands-on skills and address some of our nation’s most pressing challenges.
Census-Led Prize Challenge Incentivizes Using Open Data for Good
The Open Data for Good Grand Challenge is now welcoming submissions from technologists and collaborators focused on deploying products with federal open data, as well as recruiting for qualified judges to score the submissions and help select winners!
Developing a Data-Driven Roadmap
A Presidential Innovation Fellow working with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs shares how complex organizations can create data-driven roadmaps.
Innovating Across Highly-Regulated Industries and the Federal Government
Four lessons learned from the similarities and differences between highly-regulated companies and the federal government.
The Federal Web in the Year of COVID-19
The past year was like no other. We take a look at how it affected federal website traffic and search data.
Building a User-Centered Data Strategy
Building a User-Centered Data Strategy—Developing a data strategy is challenging, but 18F can help agencies with the process of creating an effective one. Our principles of user-centered design, agile, and iterative delivery can increase an agency’s chance for success in using data more effectively.— via 18F
COVID-19 is Complex, as is COVID-19 Open Data
COVID-19 Is Complex, as Is COVID-19 Open Data—HHS recently released granular Covid-19 Hospital Data in order improve data sharing to accelerate scientific and public health insights.— via Data.gov