Open Government action plan 2021 to 2025 - commitment 3: data and digital commitment

Progress to September 2025

Commitment 3: open data and digital

Objective

Open up data relevant to other open government themes, such as key climate change datasets used by government for modelling and reporting, data on public transport and public sector expenditure.

Milestones

Continue to support the Fiscal Transparency Programme, climate change policy and other areas relevant to the open government themes to encourage open data reuse and share best practice on data standards, FAIR and open data principles.

Improve our understanding of the technological solutions for deliberation, to support the Scottish Government Participation Framework and to inform potential future applications to expand participation around public good uses of public data and AI.

Progress

Following the completion of our collaborative project with students from the University of Edinburgh business school, we’ve published a blog and shared a video. The project explored innovative ways to demonstrate the value of open data, including a pilot ‘Open Data City’ app. This uses storytelling and gamification to make open data more engaging and accessible. The final outputs offer a fresh perspective on open data engagement and how we communicate impact and connect with data users and producers. 

Since the June update, we have successfully collaborated with the relevant Scottish Government policy team, an external supplier, and the 360Giving data standard experts to publish data on awards made via the Scottish Government’s Ecosystem Fund. This is a small but significant milestone in our work to improve transparency in grants data.

Using the 360Giving standard, which is authorised by the UK Data Standards Authority, we worked closely with the data providers and external experts to ensure the dataset was published in a consistent and accessible format. The dataset is now available on statistics.gov.scot and discoverable using the 360Giving GrantNav tool, supporting more transparent reporting and learning about awardees.

This builds on earlier discovery work to better understand the grants ecosystem and identify use cases.

The CivTech Challenge 10.7 exploring how technology can support high-quality, scalable public participation in decision-making entered into its Pre-Commercial Agreement phase at the end of July 2025. The CivTech company – CrownShy – is expanding the functionalities of the public engagement platform Comhairle; including enhanced participant onboarding, outreach and community management, and story-gathering. The Sponsor team is working together with CrownShy on identifying pilot use cases for public engagement activities on Comhairle. The Sponsor team is furthermore establishing formal governance routes, building internal capacity and developing processes to support public engagement via Comhairle.

Next steps

• we are meeting with the Fiscal transparency commitment team to reflect on learnings from a data perspective from the Fiscal transparency portal as well as opportunities going forward
• CivTech Challenge 10.7:
  • First Steering Group meeting by the end of October
  • selection of the first pilot use case by the end of October
  • start of user testing (internal and external) week of 13 October

Status

On schedule.

Objective

Run a CivTech challenge to evaluate if technology can make public sector data easy to find, assess outcomes and set out the way forward.

Milestones

Develop a considered approach to dataset sourcing and management for Find.Data.Gov.Scot to improve the discoverability of identified datasets, and by November 2025, add 10 more data sources to Find.Data.Gov.Scot.

Deliver an improved user feedback channel and run workshops with data producers and consumers to identify missing areas, address data quality issues and promote use. Investigate whether Find.Data.Gov.Scot can be linked to the UK Data Marketplace Government Data Catalogue.

Progress

As mentioned in the June update, the Find.Data.Gov.Scot data discovery search engine, developed through the CivTech process, has now been delivered.

Next steps

With the platform development complete, the team is now progressing with the contractual arrangements to support its wider use and promotion.

Some of the technology developed through the project is now being adapted for use in metadata cataloguing within the Scottish Government to improve the governance, discovery and effective use of analytical datasets.

Status

On schedule.

Objective

Set up the Data Transformation Framework stating what ‘good data’ looks like and the process by which organisations can improve – this focuses on opportunity for organisations to improve data maturity, data literacy and adoption of standards, through collaboration and engagement with local government and other public sector bodies, to be useful for civil society.

Milestones

Launch the data maturity network for cohort alumni on KHub, to provide post-project support and networking; including published resources for data standards and data governance (complete and test by summer 2024)

Start to develop resources for data ethics, innovation and architecture and provide strategic guidance on the four foundations to data improvement that align to these pathways.

Develop and launch self-supporting data maturity guidance.

Complete cohorts 3 and 4 of the Data Maturity Programme by June 2024, launch cohort 5 in September 2024 (if funded).

Progress

Following June’s update report, a key focus has been the evaluation of the Data Maturity Programme. This has included an in-depth review of cohorts 3 and 4, using a combination of an evaluation questionnaire and structured conversations with participants. These cohorts were chosen to represent groups experiencing the programme after it had become more fully established beyond the initial pilot. The evaluation explored participant satisfaction and learning, progress made, benefits realised and the sustainability of changes. A draft report has been prepared and is expected to be finalised in the coming weeks before publication.

In addition to the detailed evaluation of cohorts 3 and 4, follow-up conversations have been held with 28 of the 43 organisations that completed the programme across cohorts 1 to 5. While many organisations continue to make good progress, others are facing challenges – mainly due to the impact of external influences. 

An ongoing challenge for the programme has been identifying a suitable platform for publishing the accompanying Data Transformation Framework guidance. The Scottish Digital Academy has emerged as a promising option, and we will undertake further scoping over the following months to assess feasibility and trial document management processes.

Following the publication of the interactive summary guide for managers, we are continuing to explore the most effective format and structure for modular, self-supporting guidance. This work is being shaped by feedback from programme participants and members of the Data Maturity Network.

As part of business-as-usual activity, the sixth cohort is currently underway. The Data Maturity Network continues to provide valuable peer support, resources and opportunities for knowledge sharing.

Next steps

• finalise evaluation report

• trial publication of guidance on the Scottish Digital Academy

• continue scoping modular guidance

Status

On schedule.

Objective

Review the front end of our official statistics open data publishing platform.

Milestones

Initiate and run a discovery, which aims to gain a better understanding of the current service.

Complete discovery and produce a report which advises on options and recommendations for next steps.

Based on evidence and recommendations from the discovery, either move to next steps in improving the service in an alpha phase; or make small/limited changes to the service.

Progress

Based on our understanding of the needs of our users, we designed and built four data portal prototypes and data publishing tools. We conducted research on these prototypes, involving two rounds of one-on-one usability testing sessions totalling 29 participants from various backgrounds, and with a range of accessibility requirements. Participants included statisticians, analysts, policy advisers, data publishers, commercial users, and citizens with varying interest in data and statistics.  

We advertised the usability tests through a variety of routes including the recently established Trust and Transparency Bulletin. Complementing this largely qualitative, moderated research approach was a largely quantitative, unmoderated approach, being a questionnaire including an established measure of usability (the System Usability Scale). 

Analysis of the data indicates that the new designs are well-regarded, welcome improvements on the current website.

We are in the process of wrapping up our Agile alpha, and writing up findings and recommendations paper covering user and technology workstreams.

Next steps

• the team is pulling together the project’s findings and recommendations and aims to complete these by September 2025
• looking ahead, the next few months will see the procurement of a development partner to support the Scottish Government in delivering a Beta solution for 2026, based on the findings and recommendations from the completed Discovery and Alpha projects

Status

On schedule.

Objective

Increase the amount of Scottish public sector open data being published, through collaborations such as the Data Standards and Open Data Community of Practice.

Milestones

Publish the independent report and recommendations outlining a more strategic approach to supporting open data in Scotland.

During the remainder of 2024 initiate a project plan and develop a roadmap, with the outcome of creating a clear vision for purpose-driven impactful open government data in Scotland, and priorities for its implementation.

Set up an open data external reference group to provide accountability to the open government data commitment and to foster and long-term collaborative approach to open data.

Build on the series of open data events held with the Better Data Community of Practice in March 2024 with a series on data standards in May 2024 and encourage knowledge sharing about common challenges in making data better, smarter and more open.

Progress

We have developed a slide pack, provisionally titled “Scotland’s Open Data Policy: what we’re doing and what’s next”. We have mapped the learnings from the activities we have done since the publication of the independent report on open data in Scotland with the recommendations from the report.

We are planning out the next phase of the open data policy work and have developed a backlog which is forming a roadmap for our work going forward. 

We are working with NatureScot to develop a valuation methodology for open datasets and we have reached out to the Better Data Community to identify candidate datasets across Scotland’s public sector.  We have appointed a student to carry out their undergraduate dissertation on this topic.   

We are sponsoring and participating in the  UK's Open Data Camp, which is being held in Scotland for the first time since 2018. Open Data Camp welcomes anyone with an interest in open data, transparency, and using technology for social good: This an unconference, where participants get to set the agenda. This is a space to explore, learn, and connect with others who are using the transformational power of open data and civic technology. From tech for good initiatives to strengthening democratic processes, from government transparency to community-driven solutions, Open Data Camp brings together voices from across sectors who are passionate about making data work for everyone.

Better Data Community 2025

Throughout 2025, the Better Data Community has delivered a wide-ranging programme of themed events to strengthen Scotland’s data capability and support responsible, transparent, and inclusive use of data across the public sector.

Key themes delivered so far:

• Creating Opportunity for Change: Understanding the Impact and Value of Data
• Responsible and Inclusive Data Practices
• Improving Data Quality

The current theme is Data Management and Standards. Recent highlights have been sessions on:

What is Data Management?

This session was a comprehensive introduction to data management, emphasising the importance of inclusive and transparent stakeholder engagement, and the need to embed good practice across the public sector to support accountability and consistency

Governance at the Nexus of AI and Data

This session underlined the importance of monitoring regulatory developments at both the EU and UK levels and highlighted the need to develop AI data standards underpinned by openness, transparency, and coherence

We have several exciting sessions still to come, including:

• Opportunities to innovate: collaboration with University of Edinburgh Business School
• Data Standards and Q-FAIR - A view from Ordnance Survey
• The Data Management Hub: Driving Excellence Through Cross-Government Collaboration
• So what, you have a Data Standard?

Looking ahead - Shaping Scotland’s Future: Driving Impact Through data and AI (3 to 6 November 2025)

Now in its third year, the Better Data Community Conference returns as part of the Scotland’s Digital Academy’s Think Data and AI Month. This year’s conference will explore how data and AI can help deliver on the key Programme for Government priorities from growing the economy and tackling child poverty, to addressing the climate emergency and improving public services. We’ll be running sessions on themes such as sustainable AI, data sharing, open data, and data literacy. The conference will showcase practical examples, spark new ideas, and foster collaboration across sectors, reinforcing Scotland’s commitment to Open Government values through effective use of data.

Next steps

• members of the Scottish Government Data Division are participating in the UK's Open Data Camp and we are looking to use this opportunity to grow our networks, listen to a range of stakeholders and build connections
• we will be presenting the findings of “Scotland’s Open Data Policy: what we’re doing and what’s next” at a Better Data Community of Practice event in November
• in conjunction with others, we will be developing a methodology to value open datasets

Status

On schedule.

Objective

Develop a public register of AI algorithms.

Milestones

Begin a phased approach to the public sector wide roll out of the Scottish AI Register.

Initial stage to produce SG specific guidance and support materials for the creation of AI.

Identify existing use cases and new SG AI projects to be added.

Work with SG Data Science colleagues to ensure the adequate recording of all corporate AI use.

Work with procurement colleagues to build guidance into purchasing processes.

Continue promotion of the product through the Scottish AI taskforce to help future roll out.

Progress

The Scottish AI Register is now in place and work is underway to identify use cases from across the public sector, in order to make the Register a useful tool in the delivery of trustworthy and transparent, public sector AI use.

Next steps

Delivery work is now focused on developing the supporting governance policy and risk management tool, with the desire to ensure staff have the best possible guidance and support when delivering AI solutions.

This development will then facilitate the roll out of the Register across more areas of the public sector.

Status

On schedule.