IT Policy Manual FY 2025-26

Docusign Envelope ID: 7298B7CF-E0C0-41E3-973F-EF053E0A4FDA

OPEN DATA POLICY

PURPOSE

The City of Greensboro’s Open Data Policy outlines the guidelines and best practices for the distribution of open data and implementation of open data initiatives. This policy applies to all City departments, employees, and third parties acting on behalf of the City who are responsible for open data-related activities.

DEFINITIONS

Data – A value or set of values representing specific concepts. Data becomes information when analyzed and contextualized.

Data Governance Standards – A framework of best practices, procedures, and processes that define the vision and daily operation of an open data program. These standards also define roles and responsibilities, dataset selection and prioritization methods, and program evaluation metrics.

Dataset – A named collection of related records that contains data organized or formed in a specific or prescribed way, often in tabular form.

Metadata – Data that provides information about other data. There are two types of metadata, structural and descriptive. Structural metadata describes containers of data. Descriptive metadata provides information about the data content.

Open Data – Public records, as defined by NCGS-132, made available in open, machine-readable formats (e.g., CSV) via Application Programming Interfaces (API) or bulk downloads, without licensing restrictions.

Open Data Leadership Team – A cross-departmental body, including executive leadership and public input, responsible for the adherence to data governance standards and continuous policy improvement.

Open Format – Any widely accepted, nonproprietary, platform independent, machine-readable method of formatting data that permits automated processing of such data and facilitates search capabilities. Portal – A web-based application that provides access to open data for use, reuse, and redistribution.

Publishable Data – Data which is not protected or sensitive and may be prepared for release to the public.

VISION AND GOALS OF THE OPEN DATA PROGRAM Greensboro’s Open Data Program increases community engagement, economic well -being, internal data sharing, data-driven decision-making, and government transparency. These outcomes are the result of efforts by the program and its stakeholders to supply City data and market it internally and externally. These outcomes are impacted by intervening factors, such as other City activities, City finances, and the state of the economy. The program’s more immediate outcomes include an awareness of open data among City staff and the public, as well as the consistent growth of data. Open data created and maintained by the City of Greensboro is considered a public good. It should be openly shared to benefit residents, businesses, and institutions.

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