Power of Information Richard Stirling16 March 2009

Quick history of the Power of Information

Review – Early 2007• Independent review by Tom Steinberg and Ed Mayo started in early 2007• Published 8th June 2007 and made two broad findings:

– People are talking about social issues online Government should join the conversation

– Maximise value if government publishes information Show Us A Better Way, Rewired state

Response – June 2007• Government accepted report• Steady progress

Taskforce – March 2008• Tom Watson set up Taskforce to drive agenda forward • Rapid innovation and change• Final report published 2 weeks ago http://poit.cabinetoffice.gov.uk • 25 detailed recommendations

Today?

I believe government has been much too slow to make use of the enormous democratising power

of information. People take it for granted that they will access other people’s reviews and ratings before buying something on eBay or

Amazon, and yet we do not yet have systematic access to other people’s experiences when

choosing a GP practice or nursery.

We have clearly got the balance wrong when online businesses have higher standards of

transparency than the public services we pay for and support. In this instance, knowledge is

power. When we give people knowledge about their public services, we give them power over them; power to shape and even transform them

Prime Minister

Working together – Public services on your side

10 March 2009

Theory

"Communications tools don't get socially interesting until they get technologically boring,"

Clay Shirky Economics• Information is a non-rival good• Marginal cost of distribution is zero online• Maximum social and economic value from online distFinancial• These changes are low cost - £10ks not £100ks or £1ms• Build on existing ICT reformsRisk• Reputational risk – Measured steps and have all usual

responses

Four key themes

“I’m doing a (free) operating system … I’d like to know what features most people would want. Any suggestions are welcome, but I won’t promise I’ll implement them :-) ”

— Linus Torvald (Linux)

• Open discussion• Open information• Open feedback• Open innovation

Open Discussion

Open Discussion

Open Discussion

• Joining in these discussion is:– Low Risk– Low Cost

• Allow civil servants in online media– UK published guidance June 2008– www.civilservice.gov.uk

• Make sure staff can see the sites• Reward staff for helping people

– both online and offline

Open Feedback

Open Feedback

Open Feedback

Open Innovation

Open Innovation

Open Innovation

Open Innovation

Open information

Open Information

Open Information

Open Information

So how do I do this?

Challenges

SkillsExamplesWho do we copy?Hierarchy

Solutions

ExperimentDemonstrateBuild networksSeek external talent

Contact Details

Report: http://poit.cabinetoffice.gov.uk Blog: http://powerofinformation.wordpress.com Innovation: http://innovate.direct.gov.uk Minister: @tom_watsonTwitter: @rchards