Deirdre Appel from Open Data Watch explores the data value chain tool and how it can support the impact of data.
Never before have data been produced at such immense volumes. It’s clear that the push to produce more data to monitor and inform international development efforts has had a positive impact.
Though there have been documented success stories, overall, the use of data for decision-making and impact bears room for improvement.
After focusing on the production-side for so long, the steps needed to achieve use and impact have been overlooked. The steps involved in collecting and publishing data only cover half of the journey from production to use. The challenge now is putting a concerted effort into making sure that data reach the hands of those who need it most.
Only then can data have an impact on improving lives.
To better understand how to get from production to use, alongside mexico rcs data our partner Data2X, Open Data Watch created the data value chain.
While originally intended as a framework for the impacts of gender data, this tool serves as a guide for discussions around the value of data more broadly.
The report provides an explanation of the data value chain as well as examples to illustrate each stage.
As the visualization below shows, the data value chain organises the processes involved in production and use into twelve steps, divided evenly into four major stages. The stages and steps are as follows:
collection stage (identify, collect, and process),
publication stage (analyze, release, and disseminate),
uptake stage (connect, incentivize, and influence),
impact stage (use, change, reuse).
Data are of value at every stage of the process and recognizing the importance of each stage increases the likelihood of use and impact later down the chain.