In software testing, a ‘smoke test’ is conducted to find out roughly if the program works to begin with. In the same way, data can be reviewed by a developer who is able to quickly tell if something is fundamentally wrong with the dataset to be published. This means that easy-to-spot errors in the publication process can be corrected quickly. It is often a good idea to have a new dataset to be opened smoke tested by data users and ask them to use the data experimentally.

E-mail is a simple feedback and support channel which does not require specific development work or technical expertise to implement. It is important to ensure that responses to feedback are given fast enough and that their quality is adequate. It may be advisable to set up a dedicated e-mail address for the organisation’s open data, for example in the format opendata@[organisation].fi.

In the opendata.fi service, for each opened dataset an administrator can be specified who is responsible for the content of the dataset and the feedback received on it. Dataset users can send a message to the administrator's e-mail address given in its metadata if, for example, they encounter problems with using it.

Many data portals have a forum where users can comment on datasets and discuss other similar topics. The discussion forums are intended as an accessible channel for discussions between data openers and users. All comments are public, which means that all data users can see each other's comments. This facilitates the work of both the data administrator and the user, as the need to ask and answer the same questions several times is eliminated. The data administrator can also report on any changes made to the dataset on the discussion forum.

If you publish your data through an API, it is a good idea to offer data users an example of API use. An example helps the developer to make progress even if the documentation is inadequate. By presenting the functioning of the APIs to application developers, you can receive feedback on API functionality and help for their development.

The organisation should periodically measure user satisfaction with the published datasets. Based on the results the organisation can consider possible development measures. This also provides the organisation with information about how the data it has shared has been used. 

For example, user satisfaction can be examined by publishing a social media survey in which potential data users are asked which data they have used and for what purpose, how often, and if using the data has been straightforward. If the organisation knows some of the users of its data, user satisfaction can also be investigated by means of interviews.

Helsinki Region Infoshare’s user satisfaction surveys

Helsinki Region Infoshare has conducted user satisfaction surveys that have included questions about which open data offered on the HRI service the user has used, and in which format they would prefer to access the data. This survey has provided the HRI service with valuable feedback that will be taken into account in further measures. Read more about HRI’s 2021 user satisfaction survey results (in Finnish).

If users need a great deal of support, a helpline may also be useful. The contact information should be easy to find on the organisation's website, making it easy for users to get in touch if they have problems. Sometimes setting up an FAQ page may be necessary if the same questions come up repeatedly. 

Hack4OpenGLAM is an open cultural hackathon, a co-creation event that promotes open access to cultural heritage. GLAM stands for the English words Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums. The event brings together content producer communities, GLAM professionals, advocates of open cultural heritage, digital media creators and developers of tools and platforms to learn, work and create together. 

The event was organised for the first time in 2020 as part of the Creative Commons Global Summit. AvoinGLAM, which works together with Open Knowledge Finland, Creative Commons Finland and Wikimedia Finland, also organised an event in 2021. The local creativity-oriented event became a global success.

Read more about Hack4OpenGLAM. 

Open data is used by many parties, and not all of them can necessarily be engaged in dialogue and cooperation. Some users get actively involved, however, for example by giving feedback on data and participating in events related to open data. Users can follow communication related to open data in newsletters or on social media channels, among other things. 

Open data events can be organised as conventional events with physical presence or virtually on different platforms. The benefits of virtual events may include more extensive opportunities to participate and less cumbersome arrangements, while taking part in discussions may feel more natural at physical events. 

For example, HRI organises HRI Loves Developers meetings focusing on datasets relevant to a certain theme (either datasets that have already been opened, or the opening of which is being planned). Read more about HRI’s developer cooperation.  

HRI also offers different instructions for data users and data publishers.

P2PU Data opening course (in Finnish) looks at the background, societal changes and practical steps related to open data from the data owner's perspective: how, in practice, should data be opened and published to benefit as many parties as possible.

P2PU Data user’s course (in Finnish) approaches the topic from the perspective of those who use open data. On this course, the participants are familiarised with the entire process from finding open data to assessing its reliability, cleaning it, and publishing conclusions and results. Those who have completed the course are able to use open data to describe phenomena or in application development.

In 2014, Helsinki Region Infoshare Service of the cities in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area created a funding model called Datademo in cooperation with Open Knowledge Finland and Sitra. The report on the Datademo experiment (in Finnish, Google docs) describes the process and its outcomes. The purpose of the experiment was to inspire developers to create new solution models that, using open data, promote democracy in some way. Datademo funded the implementation of the best ideas with a total of EUR 48,000. During the year, funding was granted to a total of 24 different proposals in a transparent process.