From open data to services: Achieving water and sanitation services that last

Open data is not enough. Mapping functionality is a start but we need data on the level of service achieved, how much it costs (life-cycle costs) and the performance of service providers and authorities.

Data needs to be discussed and understood to contribute to common interpretations and new understandings of problems and solutions.

Finally, there is no excuse not to free data. Ultimately, we need to budget for both the collection of data, e.g. travel costs, and for the use of data to improve water and sanitation services. Data needs to be valued so we can move beyond data and improve services

See presentation by Nick Dickinson at the SWWW 2012  

IRC - From open data to services - Nick Dickinson.pdf