We approach our work through a methodology grounded in COLLABORATION, ACTION, KNOWLEDGE, AND EDUCATION. CODE works to improve the open data ecosystem in three ways: hosting interactive OPEN DATA ROUNDTABLES in the U.S. and internationally, conducting RESEARCH, and developing RESOURCES for greater application of publicly available data.

CODE's METHODOLOGY

Through a decade of work on applying data for public good, CODE has developed a methodology that leverages the virtuous circle of Collaboration, Action, Knowledge, and Education. Unlike purely technical organizations that focus on improving datasets, conducting data analysis, or building analytic tools, we take a unique approach that focuses on how data can be used. Our work is designed to combine technology, policy, and practical application to solve important public problems. We have successfully applied our methodology to help organizations put their data to better use across a wide range of areas and applications.

ROUNDTABLES

CODE has conducted dozens of Open Data Roundtables with government agencies and other partners in the U.S. and internationally. These unique convenings bring together data providers and their data users to help identify high-value datasets, find solutions to data problems, and establish new collaborations. They connect experts from government, nonprofits and NGOs, academia, and the private sector who may never have met before but who share common goals and interests. The Open Data Roundtables include presentations, discussions, and highly facilitated breakout sessions to produce actionable recommendations through published reports, which can be found on our Publications page. You can lean more about our Open Data Roundtables in this short video featuring CODE's Roundtables Program Manager Paul Kuhne.

CODE now hosts Roundtables virtually, in-person, or in a hybrid format. Each of our Roundtables typically includes a number of associated activities and publications:
          - A Briefing Paper that provides a landscape analysis of current work and challenges in the field
     - A public Webinar, livestreamed and recorded for later viewing, with keynote addresses from Federal leaders, and lightning talks on data applications
         - A Summary Report with insights from the Roundtable and CODE's recommendations for action
       - A Resource and Data Hub presenting high-value data resources and analytic models through a searchable, sortable, and easily usable online platform
     - Public outreach on the results of the Roundtable through email campaigns, social media, and articles in widely read online publications

Read more about CODE's Roundtables on our Publications page >

RESEARCH

CODE’s research provides insights, best practices, and recommendations on investing in, sharing, and utilizing data for public good. The organization’s reports, white papers, and policy notes provide an overview of current data applications, facilitate analysis of trends and opportunities, and provide recommendations for management and use of publicly available data. These publications can be found on our Publications page. CODE conducts research on:

Data Policy. CODE’s research focuses on developing government policy recommendations for open data management, infrastructure, capabilities, and alignment with public services.
Best Practices. CODE studies the ways that government agencies and their stakeholders can better use publicly available data to serve user needs. CODE’s research offers insights and recommendations into such topics as government data and business innovation, data management through the data lifecycle, and privacy protection in data publication and use.
Global Progress. CODE’s research and reports on utilizing data for sustainable development focus on applying the data revolution to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. CODE has published several on sustainable development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals in partnership with the World Bank and other international organizations.

See Relevant Publications >

RESOURCES

CODE develops resources for the U.S. and international data community to help analyze the use of open government data, provide insight into policies and best practices, and help governments leverage their data assets. These include:

Resource and Data Hubs. CODE’s roundtables and research identify a range of resources including reports, organizations, datasets, and data portals. Our Resource and Data Hubs present this valuable information in searchable, sortable tables. They provide a single source of access for anyone looking to understand the state of data, related research, and key organizations and individuals involved in a wide range of topics.
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              The CODE Climate Risk Data Hub
              The CODE Cross-Sectoral Social Determinants of Health Resource Hub
              The CODE + Measures for Justice Data for Racial Equity in Policing Resource Hub
The Stakeholder Engagement Toolkit is designed as a resource for individuals at Federal agencies who are interested in how to meaningfully engage stakeholders in policy and program decisions. It is informed by existing evidence on public engagement, two expert convenings, and semi-structured interviews with Federal officials and other members of the evidence-building community.
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Open SDG platform. Open SDG is an open-source reporting platform developed for managing and publishing data and statistics related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This platform is being used by national and subnational governments around the world for SDG reporting.
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Open Data for Business (OD4B) Tool. The OD4B assessment tool, developed by CODE and the World Bank, was the first effort to assess and enable the private sector’s use of government data from the demand-side perspective. The assessment tool combines roundtable and interview methodology.

See CODE's Resources >

What We Do

CODE's METHODOLOGY

ROUNDTABLES

RESEARCH

RESOURCES