Overcoming the hurdles to UK city data analytics
It’s no secret that Nesta’s current programme of work to pilot offices of data analytics in London (with the GLA and 14 boroughs) and the North East (with seven local authorities, the Digital Catapult and Sunderland Software City) is inspired by the Mayor’s Office of Data Analytics in New York City (MODA). Yet it’s been […]
Big Data, City Data, Data, featured, Local Government, Smart Cities
Offices of Data Analytics: next steps for London and the North East
As announced in previous blogs, Nesta is working with the GLA and more than a dozen boroughs in London – and with local authorities, the Digital Catapult and Sunderland Software City in the North East – to pilot data analytics projects that address public service challenges. This post provides a brief update on the latest […]
Three Lessons on City Data Analytics from Mike Flowers
I’ve previously written about plans by the GLA’s Andrew Collinge and Nesta to run a pilot for a London Office of Data Analytics, inspired by the Mayor’s Office of Data Analytics (MODA) in New York City. Last week saw significant progress when 15 London boroughs came together for a workshop with the GLA to select […]
Big Data, Cities, City Data, Data, Data Privacy, featured, Local Government, open data, personal data
The power of data – London Tech Week 2016
On Monday 20 June 2016, as part of London Technology Week, I was one of seven speakers who presented at an event hosted by the London Borough of Camden to discuss the power of data and the role data needs to play in reforming public services. The other speakers included: Sherry Coutu, Chair of founders4schools; […]
UK Offices of Data Analytics – from rhetoric to reality
If you’ve heard me speak at a conference or read one of my blogs, you’ve probably gathered that I’m a big admirer of New York City’s Mayor’s Office of Data Analytics (MODA). At times I may have sounded like a broken record. In my defence, there are good reasons to be excited about the model […]
What does a good data market look like?
On 29 April 2016 I took part in a lunchtime debate hosted by the Open Data Institute on the subject: What does a good data market look like? I was joined on the panel by Leigh Dodds, Chair of Bath: Hacked and ODI Associate; and Yodit Stanton, founder of Open Sensors. The comments I gave (see […]
3 Steps to Save Local Digital Government
We’ve cracked the easy stuff – now for the hard part… It was a graph that first provoked my interest in local government digital reform. Flicking through the pages of an LGA report on council funding, it suddenly appeared: two lines – one showing funding, the other expenditure – starting together in 2010 and quickly […]
Mayor, whatever you want to do, data can help you do it better
An open letter to the next Mayor of London explaining why they need a London Office of Data Analytics. To the new Mayor of London, Congratulations on your election victory! No doubt you’re impatient to start delivering on your campaign promises. Just before you do, I’d like to highlight one point: no matter what your […]
Big Data, Cities, City Data, Data, featured, Local Government, open data
MODA’s 10 step process for improving a service with data analytics
I have frequently written and spoken about the amazing work of New York City’s Mayor’s Office of Data Analytics (MODA), originally set up and led by Mike Flowers (read my interview with Mike). A common question I receive is: How does MODA actually apply data analytics to help a service delivery team (SDT) – i.e. […]
It’s time to say goodbye to the open data portal. Here’s why…
Look at some of the most transformative operating models used by leading digital organisations such as Wikipedia, Twitter and TripAdvisor and what do you notice? Their value comes from sourcing data from outside their organisation. In light of this, many cities’ approach to open data can be seen to have a glaring shortfall: the flow […]
If city devolution is to succeed, cities need to up their game on data
Today sees the launch of “Smart Devolution”, my final report for Policy Exchange, co-authored with Cameron Scott. Read the full report here. The following article introducing the report first appeared in Computer Weekly. Smart Devolution City devolution is at the very heart of the government’s policy programme for this parliament. The intention is that by […]
10 Recommendations for the UK Digital Strategy
In response to the Government’s request for ideas for the UK’s Digital Strategy, I offer the following recommendations for Section 2 – Transforming Government. Data Public sector digital transformation fundamentally depends on making smarter use of data. Therefore: 1 – Data.gov.uk should be converted into a data marketplace where different creators and consumers of data […]
