DataDriven

Managing Data for the City of New Orleans

The City of New Orleans has adapted these resources from the City and County of San Francisco and the DataSF initiative. The purpose of this information is to provide instruction to Data Coordinators within The City of New Orleans. Data Coordinators should use these resources to help them in their new role. We’ll update this guide as the roles and responsibilities of the Data Coordinator evolve and as we learn more about implementing DataDriven NOLA.

Roles and Responsibilities

This is a general overview of the roles and responsibilities in support of open data. The Open Data Executive Order and CAO policy provides greater detail on the role of department heads and Data Coordinators. We expect to modify or change these as we learn more and as the roles become more refined.

Role General Responsibilities

Data Coordinator

Data Coordinators are designated for each department as the main point of contact and accountability for open data in their department and are sometimes the individuals in charge of individual databases, datasets, or information systems. In general this person knows how to get access to data. General responsibilities include:

  • Inventorying department datasets
  • Establishing a plan and timeline for publishing them
  • Serving as a key point of accountability for timelines and questions about datasets
  • Implementing privacy, data licensing, metadata and other standards and practices
  • Providing quarterly reports on progress in implementing the open data plan

Data Steward

Data Stewards are individuals in charge of individual databases, datasets, or information systems. In general, a data steward has business knowledge of the data and can answer questions about the data itself. In many instances, the Data Coordinator and Steward may be the same person. General responsibilities likely include:

  • Managing the dataset or source and authorizing changes to it
  • Managing access to and use of the data, including documentation
  • Managing accuracy, quality and completeness of the data

Technical Contact

Technical Contacts are individuals that are responsible for the administration and maintenance of the database(s) or system(s). Not all systems or data sources will have a separate Technical Contact – often the Data Steward is also the Technical Contact. And sometimes the Data Coordinator encompasses this role. General responsibilities likely include:

  • Implementing technical changes requested by the department/leadership
  • Managing the dataset or source and authorizing changes to it
  • Managing access to and use of the data, including documentation

Data Specialist

The Data Specialist is charged with creating processes, rules and standards to implement the open data policy, including but not limited to:

  • Creating data and metadata standards and guidelines
  • Providing guidance and assistance to City departments in releasing open data
  • Facilitating creation of department implementation plans and reporting
  • Assisting departments with analysis of city datasets

Enterprise Data Director

The Enterprise Data Director is accountable for the city’s overall implementation of the open data policy. General responsibilities include:

  • Managing processes, rules and standards to implement the open data policy, including but not limited to:
    • Prioritizing data sets for publication
    • Determining what datasets are appropriate for public disclosure
    • Maintaining the open data website
    • Presenting an annual citywide implementation plan for open data