U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological Survey

USGS Data.Gov Interim Process and Guidelines

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U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological Survey

Proposed USGS Data.Gov Interim Process

For the Council on Data IntegrationBy the Data.Gov Work Group Draft February 9, 2010

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Part of President Obama’s Open Government Initiative(Presidential Memorandum “Transparency and Open Government”, dated 1/21/2009)

“Information should be disclosed rapidly in forms that the public can readily find and use”

Data.Gov:

Allows public to easily find, download, and use federal datasets and tools

Provides transformational potential for federal data dissemination strategies and incorporating semantic web

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Value to USGS

- Channel for new markets

- Broadens access

- Fosters research and innovative “mashups”

- Catalyst for improved data management in USGS

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Charge: Establish an interim process for USGS submissions to Data.gov that is consistent with USGS policies, mission, and Science Strategy and is more effective and efficient than that currently in place. Position USGS to move toward longer term publishing process.

Work Group: Karen Klima (HQ GIO-SIEO), Sky Bristol (CR-GIO), David Federer (CR GD-ERP), David Govoni (HQ GIO-SIEO), Kate Kase (BRD—NBII), Keith Kirk (EPN), Scott McEwen (CR GIO), Edward McFaul (HQ GD), Douglas Nebert (FGDC), Raymond Obuch (USGS EA), Robert Pierce (HQ GIO-EGIM Geospatial Advisor), Peter Schweitzer (ER GD-MRP), Ione Taylor (FSP)

Community of Practice: (in addition to above) Fran Lightsom, Richard Huffine, Chris Skinner, others

Project Scope

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USGS Data.Gov Strategy

Present: Ad hoc publishing of USGS datato Data.gov as required

Short Term: Establish interim USGS data publishing process for Data.gov to improve efficiency and encourage participation

Longer Term: Develop internal data publishing process for USGS to inventory, harvest, understand, protect, and share its data with others, including Data.gov

Proposed Interim Data Publishing Process

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Proposed Governance:Data.Gov Points of ContactData Access Coordinators

USGS Data.Gov Advisory Group

Proposed Tools: Screening Checklist

High Value Ranking CriteriaPerformance Management

NominateWho: Any USGS employee or the public via Data.gov

EvaluateWho: Data Access Coordinators for originating Program

SelectWho: Program Manager From Originating Program

PublishWho: USGS or GOS POC with Office of Communication review

AssignWho: USGS Data.govPOCs or Data Access Coordinators

USGS Data.gov Points of Contact Karen Klima and Rob Dollison

Represent USGS at DOI and Data.Gov meetings On behalf of the USGS Chief Information Officer, coordinate USGS response

to DOI and Data.Gov policies and requirements Transmit USGS data sets to DOI for publishing in Data.gov Review and coordinate Data.gov customer emails and feedback Lead USGS Data.Gov Advisory Group

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Data Access Coordinators Route and track Data Set requests

Assist Managers in identifying high value data sets

Screen and evaluate Data Set requests

Assist data owners in metadata preparation and maintenance in data.gov

Serve on USGS Data.gov Team

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Candidate Data Access Coordinators Disciplines Geology – Jerry (Edward) McFaul

Water – Katherine Lins

Biology

Geography

Science Strategy Planning and Implementation Teams

Global Change

Hazards

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Proposed USGS Data.gov Advisory Group

Purpose: Govern the USGS data.gov process, interpret guidelines, address issues, manage change, and participate in long term planning

Members:

USGS Points of Contact

USGS Data Access Coordinators

Council on Data Integration Representative

Office of Communication

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Suitability Checklist

Suitability applies specifically to USGS datasets proposed for publication and access through Data.gov. All datasets and tools must conform to the following criteria:

Published in compliance with the USGS Fundamental Science PracticesMade available to the public with no access restrictions and at no costFull compliance with the relevant elements of the Data.gov data policyAll “geodata” metadata conforms to the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Content Standard for Geospatial MetadataUSGS is the authoritative source of the datasetData is a product of the Federal government, currently available on a Federal Agency websiteData steward and/or authoritative source for data maintains version control and meets applicable record retention requirementsDataset is not bound by restrictions over its end useMetadata includes a preferred citation for use by end users to acknowledge that data was retrieved from the USGSAny reasonable cautions or caveats relating to the safe or appropriate use of the data should be included in its metadata - disclaimers should also be posted on primary web access point

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High Value Criteria

Managers and Data Coordinators will be use these criteria to identify and target USGS data sets with high value for Data.Gov.

Supports Secretary’s priorities (i.e. climate change, alternative energy, water challenges, or national heritage)Importance and alignment to the USGS Science StrategyPotential utility in contributing to the creation of novel and useful third-party applications and servicesLow risk for misuse Potential societal impactBreadth of coverage (National vs Local)General appeal in both the public and private sectors

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Proposed Performance Management Outputs/Milestones

Publish Interim Publishing Process Memo and Policy Develop Internal USGS Data.gov website Establish Governance Evaluation of version 1.0 Third and Fourth Quarter reports to CDI and ELT

Outcomes All Secretarial priorities are supported by at least one USGS Data Set All major programs have selected at least one high value Data Set Total number of USGS Data Sets (Nominated/Submitted/Approved) Percentage of Data Sets in open, machine readable formats All USGS Data.gov published Geodata is published via GOS

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Further Considerations

Provide salary assistance for Data Access Coordinators

Evolve Data.gov process to integrate with legacy cataloging systems

Use key words on data.gov metadata template to classify USGS data by program

Potential role of Science Data Catalog (renamed Science Base) url: data.usgs.gov as a Bureau common data catalog

Potential role of IPDS and EPN in metadata creation

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1. CDI approval (February-March)

2. ELT approval (March-April)

3. Establish Data.gov Advisory Group and Data Coordinators (February-March)

4. Release of All Hands Memo and website (March-April)

5. Kick-off Interim Data.Gov Process (April-May)

6. Ongoing development of long term Data.gov policy

Next Steps