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# The Open Ordnance Survey: lessons learned
- URL: https://onemanandhisblog.com/2012/04/ian_holt_senior_developer_programme/
- Published: 2012-04-20T17:18:00.000Z
- Updated: 2015-04-28T12:52:05.000Z
- Author: Adam Tinworth
- Tags: #odcc, government, maps, open data, ordnance survey

[![Ian Holt](https://i2.wp.com/www.onemanandhisblog.com/content/images/2012/04/ian-thumb-520x346-2464.jpg?resize=520%2C346)](https://i1.wp.com/www.onemanandhisblog.com/content/images/2012/04/ian.jpg?ref=onemanandhisblog.com)

**[Ian Holt](https://twitter.com/?ref=onemanandhisblog.com#!/IanHolt), senior developer programme manager at [Ordnance Survey](http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/?ref=onemanandhisblog.com)**

Two years ago the OS was asked to release mapping data as open data for the first time.

They have data, tools and a network, [GeoVation](http://www.geovation.org.uk/?ref=onemanandhisblog.com), which is underpinned by their data. They offer location data for Great Britain which supports web and mobile access models by developers. Comes under the “very permissive” [open government license](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open%5FData%5Fin%5Fthe%5FUnited%5FKingdom?ref=onemanandhisblog.com "Open Data in the United Kingdom"). You can grab the data from [OS OpenData](http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/products/os-opendata.html?ref=onemanandhisblog.com). When it was first launched, all you could do was get the data. In the years they’ve been running the API, they’ve realised you need more than that – like examples of how people have used it, and forums for discussing working methods and problems.

The data’s a mix of contextual products – which look like maps – and more analytical data, like boundary lines.

**Examples of use:**

[icoast](http://www.icoast.co.uk/?ref=onemanandhisblog.com) – created a product with activities along the Dorset coast.

[Free iPhone app](http://www.cathedralcityguide.co.uk/2011/06/winchester-hat-fair-iphone-app/?ref=onemanandhisblog.com) for [Winchester Hat Fair](http://www.hatfair.co.uk/?ref=onemanandhisblog.com "Winchester Hat Fair").

[Facebook.com/nationaltreasures](https://www.facebook.com/NationalTreasures) – game using the data

Most used data sets: OS Street View, OS VectorMap District Raster, and OS VectorMap District Vector.

The analytical stuff is accessed less. How can they encourage more use? Or is it a phased thing? When another data set is released, suddenly the others might become more relevant.

Biggest learning? Just releasing the dataset is not the same a getting people to use it. You need to communicate about it, and you need to provide tools. And data is not just for developers – you need to think about who else might want to use it, and how they will need to engage with it. For example, a wizard that allows you to build a map with markers on it…

You can incentivise people to use the data through global competitions. They’ve also run workshops called “[Open Data Master Classes](http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/news/2012/03/ordnance-survey-holds-free-open-data-masterclasses.html?ref=onemanandhisblog.com)” – they encourage use of both OS and other government data sets.

GeoVation has [a challenge process](http://www.geovation.org.uk/geovationchallenge/?ref=onemanandhisblog.com), which encourages people to pitch solutions to problems. The best ideas are invited to GeoVation camps, and the winners get money to produce their solutions. They’ve just closed a transforming neighbourhoods project. One around the [Welsh Costal Path](https://challenge.geovation.org.uk/a/ideafactory.do?id=16422&mode=top&discussionFilter=byids&discussionID=18757&ref=onemanandhisblog.com) is running now.

Remember: publication is not the same as communication. And that goes both ways; they like to hear (and publicise) how people are using the data.

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