Module 2.2 Activities
Activity 1: Exploring Data Ecosystems
Overview: In this activity, participants will “read” an example ecosystem map to consider what we can learn about decisions made during the mapping process and local data stakeholders and relationships. This activity can be done individually or in small groups.
Supplies: An Internet connected device is required for accessing an example ecosystem and the Open Data Institute discussion of a map.
Time: ~45 minutes
Activity:
In ecosystem mapping, both the mapping process and resulting map are valuable. In this activity, we will discern what we can learn about a local data ecosystem through its map and discuss the broader value of a mapping effort. If completing this activity in a group setting, participants should divide into small groups of 3.
Individual Reading [10 minutes]
The Open Data Institute’s Mapping Data Ecosystems guide (updated 2022) offers an articulation of the value of ecosystem mapping and models the review of an example ecosystem map. Begin this activity with some individual reading that will serve as scaffolding for our examination of an example ecosystem. Read pages of 3-6 of the guide and review the ecosystem example on page 6.
2. Debrief about the reading or Individual reflection [Group; 5-10 minutes]
If working in a group, spend 5-10 minutes discussing the reading. If working individually, spend this time reflecting.
What did you learn from this reading? Are there insights about ecosystem mapping that you will bring forward in this exercise to examine an example ecosystem map?
Were there other observations you had about the example map on page 6 that were not addressed by the Open Data Institute?
3. Select an example of an ecosystem map
An example from pages 20 - 24 of the Open Data Institute’s Mapping Data Ecosystems guide
Or find another online!
4. Small group discussion or individual review [15 minutes]
What do you think was the purpose for creating this map? Do you think it achieved its purpose?
What decisions were made by the people creating the map [for example scope and approach to visualization]?
What can you learn from examining the map?
Who are the core ecosystem entities?
Who may be missing?
Where can existing connections be strengthened?
Who isn’t connected, but could be?
Does it look like any relationships could be leveraged to expand the network?
Can you discern what mapping approach was used [Top-down, Snowball, Community Convening]?
Is there anything you would have done differently?
5. Debrief in larger group [10-15 minutes]
Together, discuss:
What did you learn from this exercise about ecosystem maps?
Is there value in example maps for data intermediaries working in other ecosystems?
Are there insights from this module about ecosystem mapping that you will bring forward to your work?
Activity Files:
Activity 2: Mapping Civic Data Ecosystems
Overview: The purpose of this activity is to get participants familiar with the ecosystem mapping process. Activity 2.1 had participants build an inventory of data intermediaries in their local community. This activity builds on this inventory to capture the relationships among these intermediaries and to make observations about the picture of the ecosystem that emerges.
As discussed in Module 2.2, there is not a single “right” way to map an ecosystem and this activity offers one approach. This activity works best when people work together in small groups rather than individually. The process is as important as the end product and multiple perspectives are valuable.
If your group is large, consider having multiple groups working on an ecosystem map.
This activity can be done at one sitting or can be broken up and done in segments (the activity for Module 2.1 forms the first segment and is an essential first step).
Supplies: Large paper or white board Pen or marker Sticky notes in two colors
Time: 75 -90 minutes
Activity:
Scope out your map! [10 minutes]
It is important to scope out what you are looking to map. Will you look at a civic data ecosystem in a particular city? Or are you interested in an ecosystem related to a specific issue [e.g. environment, property, health data]? Or would you like to map the data ecosystem in your own organization? Consider selecting a community, organization, or issue that all members of your group have
What will you include in your ecosystem? Organizations? Departments? Individual people? Events? Important spaces? Data services and educational opportunities?
Is this a real map or an aspirational map (in other words, the ideal data ecosystem for your community)?
2. Identifying Data Intermediaries and Ecosystem Entities [20-25 minutes]
Data intermediaries are organizations or individuals who help people find, use, and apply the information we’d characterize as “open civic data”. Civic data intermediaries include those actors that transform data, make data usable, publish data, help others to use data, and develop tools that provide other means of interacting with the data.
When you are beginning to determine ways that your organization might engage with civic data (and, in turn, become active participants in your civic data ecosystem), an important action is identifying data intermediaries in your community. Civic data work is best done in partnership with other civic data intermediaries and this identification is a first step in building these partnerships.
In this step, consider your community and the data intermediaries that are or may be helping to make civic data available, findable, and usable and empowering individuals to work with the data. Spaces, events, and data resources and services that are important to your ecosystem can also be captured here!. On a piece of paper or white board, create an inventory: Who is the go-to in your community for _________?
talking about equity and how data affects vulnerable populations
reaching a lot of community organizations at once
providing trainings around data literacy
developing trustworthy reports about neighborhood data and trends
offering classes on a range of technology skills
providing funding for community projects
organizing topical social events and connecting people
facilitating door to door community engagement
designing and implementing surveys
tracking down a public dataset no one seems to have access to yet
organizing a hackathon or meetup or work session
expanding access to technology and internet so people can use data
communicating data findings to a broader audience
Are there important:
Spaces used for data work?
Data literacy education opportunities?
Funding opportunities?
Data services?
Stuck? Here are some likely players:
National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership organizations
Local government (and other) agencies that are producers of data
Organizations that help people find, use, and apply civic information
Managers of your local open data portal
Foundations that support civic data initiatives through funding
Journalists and researchers who make meaning of civic data
Local businesses and others that add value to data by contextualizing it or creating access
Coders and bridge groups that use technology and civic data to build applications
People and organizations that help data users hone their data literacy skills
Libraries -- in whatever local role they play with open civic data!
3. Map your ecosystem [20 minutes]
Using sticky notes, represent the players, activities and resources, and the relationships among them.
Capture events, services and spaces on one color sticky note - this will be your color for activities and resources [if relevant to your ecosystem’s scope]
Capture individuals or organizations in your ecosystem on a second color of sticky note [if relevant to your ecosystem’s scope]
Hang these sticky notes on large paper or a white board
Draw lines connecting the activities and players within your ecosystem. Who and what are related? Feel free to annotate these connections with short descriptions of the relationship [for example Organization —> Hosts —> Data Literacy Training]
4. Do a “walking tour” of maps [15 minutes]
If there were multiple groups working on ecosystem maps, “tour” one another’s maps. Use sticky notes to annotate maps using the following prompts [if there was one group working on a single ecosystem map, return to your map with these questions in mind]:
Put a sticky note by a partner or connection that surprised/excited you to see
Do you see a clear “center” to this ecosystem or are roles/work/power/influence more distributed?
From this map, how would you describe the library’s role in the civic data ecosystem?
What types of partners/roles might be missing? Are there any potential vulnerabilities?
What questions/comments/reactions do you have about this map?
5. Return to your map [15 minutes]
Pick just one of these prompts or talk through all of these with your group:
Choose an organization on the edge and center them and see if that changes how you think about the ecosystem or what players need to be there. What would it look like with library centered (if they aren’t already)? What if you centered a community data user?
Look at points of entry - how would a new partner or a user learn about the full ecosystem - who are the ecosystem members who interface with the community at large? Is your ecosystem inclusive of everyone in your community? Which members of your community may not be represented?
Is this a “real” map or an aspirational map?
Based on how you’ve drawn your ecosystem, are there certain partners that are critical? if they closed down, would you severely alter the ecosystem? Would there be partners that no longer communicated? Would you end up with two unconnected ecosystems?
Activity Files
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