Technical Challenges of Data Management - Collection and Dissemination

Technical Issues in Data Management
DATA COLLECTION

Challenges Solutions or "Good Practices"

Inconsistent thematic data collection and storage formats, both electronically and in hardcopy, and its comparability Definition of a common set of national (and even international) standards for electronic collection, storage, and exchange.
For example, data might be stored in very basic format (ascii etc.) so that it can be imported into any database. Specialised software that cannot exchange data with other programs should be avoided. Upcoming international standards like XML or CORBA will perhaps ease the data exchange process.
Concerning thematic coverage, local reporting might also be better factored in with European initiatives and standards such as the European Environment Agency's. This would be according to EU limit values and their statistical definitions. And issues like the calibration of measurement gauges, their location and related procedures should be considered within such proposals. Consistent quality management procedures should also be adopted.
Hardcopy storage often depends on the availability of local fund resources to print up documentation. However, the range of items produced at local level could be universally consistent in a standard reporting and comparable format. Formats might also be streamlined with central institutions responsible for environmental reporting, e.g. the European Environment Agency.

Developing the right tools, functions, and database structures. Designing the right information system relies on sufficient know-how and expertise, human and financial resources. It also should factor applicable national data standards.
Financial resources can be secured through political lobbying. Building the capacity of human resources and experience should also be accorded more importance at the senior level, through financing staff-attendance of targeted workshops and seminars. This might bring both short and long term benefits, rather than the purchase of state-of- the-art products or solutions which are not configured or implemented properly.
Selecting an existing, well-functioning application already developed for the market is an alternative approach, as long as the expertise exists to utilise successfully. Project catalogues and guidelines, information and known-how exchange are approaches that can be used to determine which application is best. Furthermore, some participants suggested a national help-desk, "hotline" telephone number, or discussion forum.

Ensuring accuracy of data collected, and its availability Some participants suggested use of state of the art technology can help to ensure accurate data collection. Rather it could be argued the development of quality procedures is the key issue. A national standard or agreed criteria for measurement can help to ensure accuracy, but this need not dictate the technology relied upon. A full cost-benefit analysis should be performed before any purchasing decisions are made.
The availability of data to those responsible for its collection is clearly dependent on any number of issues, including time, financial and human resources, meteorological conditions, use of the right technology etc. According resources for these activities is a political issue dependent on national and local priorities, and bottom-up lobbying.

Poor telecommunications infrastructure Investment in the IT sector, most likely through its liberalisation can help improve this obstacle, however, rural areas will perhaps remain less well developed through anticipated lower profits.

DATA DISSEMINATION Local Government Level

Challenges Corresponding Solutions or "Good Practices"

How best to deal with meta-information (3) Training and education, skill sharing, capacity building, improving expertise at the local level.
Adoption of the European Catalogue of Data Sources can help at the national and international level, and usage of SGML/XML as an approved data format.

Developing an integrated data interface Use of an Internet browser to visualise, but avoidance of plug-ins and vendor specific enhancements.

Many simple (Internet, email, ftp, diskette etc, cd-rom) and sophisticated technologies are now available on the market to facilitate informational dissemination, but which one best meets user needs? Potential IST users (decisionmakers and experts) might begin by evaluating needs to be addressed, through what media and which level of technology will meet these expectations. Furthermore, careful judgment of the available in-house technical resources vs. the parameters of a specific technique should be undertaken.
Public user needs must also be carefully considered before launching any public dissemination services e.g. information kiosk. These issues are crucial in ensuring long-term acceptance by users, both local and public.

Ensuring internal data security (2) Selecting the right technology solutions that offer high security is one solution. This depends on obtaining accurate information on the application prior to purchase. Technology directories and guides can help in this respect.

Delivering performance and flexibility Use of an advanced technology can help, but which one is best for the job? Technology guides and directories or best practice technology inventories of solutions, A clear point of reference, an information desk, helpline or FAQ directory can help.

Issues of National Importance

Different technical standards (local (2), national, international (3))
and
Different informational standards at different levels (in terms of dissemination)
Across-the-board use of GIS might be one solution, however, common data standards for exchange and dissemination should be permanently established to improve information transfer and flow. Participants recommended the EU might attach more importance to data standards and hardware/operating systems independence.

What information should be provided to the public? Although legislation in the EU and increasingly in the EU Accession countries calls for public access to information, debate continues as to what information should be made publicly accessible. This is an issue to be dealt with at the national and international level. Many argue it is not right to give out raw data that may be subject to misinterpretation. A counter argument would be to offer raw data together with good quality accompanying and explanatory documentation. This can help minimise accompanying risks and thus ensure total transparency in terms of data publication.

Ensuring currency and quality of data (3) Locally, the establishment of regular data collection and update procedures, complemented by the availability of a sufficient number of skilled staff.
Nationally, and internationally, quality standards for currency, quality. Within the Information society today, this is something that should be considered at the international level in order to facilitate comparability, standard access and transboundary exchange. The European Environment Agency of DGXI might set the overall standard and policy for data collection, and management.

Bilingual datasets developed in response to transboundary environmental problems and cooperation (2) Development of sophisticated interfaces or multi-lingual thesauri that offer data in multiple languages, and flexibility of the partners to accommodate this into their activities. Or agreement on one standard language.
Chair reaction noted that public information systems should ultimately rely on a multi-lingual approach in order to avoid any potential conflicts.

(Note: Numbers indicate frequency of references made to the issue during the course of the presentations and discussion)

REC * CAPE * MUNICH
The Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe

Challenges	Solutions or "Good Practices"
Inconsistent thematic data collection and storage formats, both electronically and in hardcopy, and its comparability	Definition of a common set of national (and even international) standards for electronic collection, storage, and exchange. For example, data might be stored in very basic format (ascii etc.) so that it can be imported into any database. Specialised software that cannot exchange data with other programs should be avoided. Upcoming international standards like XML or CORBA will perhaps ease the data exchange process. Concerning thematic coverage, local reporting might also be better factored in with European initiatives and standards such as the European Environment Agency's. This would be according to EU limit values and their statistical definitions. And issues like the calibration of measurement gauges, their location and related procedures should be considered within such proposals. Consistent quality management procedures should also be adopted. Hardcopy storage often depends on the availability of local fund resources to print up documentation. However, the range of items produced at local level could be universally consistent in a standard reporting and comparable format. Formats might also be streamlined with central institutions responsible for environmental reporting, e.g. the European Environment Agency.
Developing the right tools, functions, and database structures.	Designing the right information system relies on sufficient know-how and expertise, human and financial resources. It also should factor applicable national data standards. Financial resources can be secured through political lobbying. Building the capacity of human resources and experience should also be accorded more importance at the senior level, through financing staff-attendance of targeted workshops and seminars. This might bring both short and long term benefits, rather than the purchase of state-of- the-art products or solutions which are not configured or implemented properly. Selecting an existing, well-functioning application already developed for the market is an alternative approach, as long as the expertise exists to utilise successfully. Project catalogues and guidelines, information and known-how exchange are approaches that can be used to determine which application is best. Furthermore, some participants suggested a national help-desk, "hotline" telephone number, or discussion forum.
Ensuring accuracy of data collected, and its availability	Some participants suggested use of state of the art technology can help to ensure accurate data collection. Rather it could be argued the development of quality procedures is the key issue. A national standard or agreed criteria for measurement can help to ensure accuracy, but this need not dictate the technology relied upon. A full cost-benefit analysis should be performed before any purchasing decisions are made. The availability of data to those responsible for its collection is clearly dependent on any number of issues, including time, financial and human resources, meteorological conditions, use of the right technology etc. According resources for these activities is a political issue dependent on national and local priorities, and bottom-up lobbying.
Poor telecommunications infrastructure	Investment in the IT sector, most likely through its liberalisation can help improve this obstacle, however, rural areas will perhaps remain less well developed through anticipated lower profits.

Challenges	Corresponding Solutions or "Good Practices"
How best to deal with meta-information (3)	Training and education, skill sharing, capacity building, improving expertise at the local level. Adoption of the European Catalogue of Data Sources can help at the national and international level, and usage of SGML/XML as an approved data format.
Developing an integrated data interface	Use of an Internet browser to visualise, but avoidance of plug-ins and vendor specific enhancements.
Many simple (Internet, email, ftp, diskette etc, cd-rom) and sophisticated technologies are now available on the market to facilitate informational dissemination, but which one best meets user needs?	Potential IST users (decisionmakers and experts) might begin by evaluating needs to be addressed, through what media and which level of technology will meet these expectations. Furthermore, careful judgment of the available in-house technical resources vs. the parameters of a specific technique should be undertaken. Public user needs must also be carefully considered before launching any public dissemination services e.g. information kiosk. These issues are crucial in ensuring long-term acceptance by users, both local and public.
Ensuring internal data security (2)	Selecting the right technology solutions that offer high security is one solution. This depends on obtaining accurate information on the application prior to purchase. Technology directories and guides can help in this respect.
Delivering performance and flexibility	Use of an advanced technology can help, but which one is best for the job? Technology guides and directories or best practice technology inventories of solutions, A clear point of reference, an information desk, helpline or FAQ directory can help.

Different technical standards (local (2), national, international (3)) and Different informational standards at different levels (in terms of dissemination)	Across-the-board use of GIS might be one solution, however, common data standards for exchange and dissemination should be permanently established to improve information transfer and flow. Participants recommended the EU might attach more importance to data standards and hardware/operating systems independence.
What information should be provided to the public?	Although legislation in the EU and increasingly in the EU Accession countries calls for public access to information, debate continues as to what information should be made publicly accessible. This is an issue to be dealt with at the national and international level. Many argue it is not right to give out raw data that may be subject to misinterpretation. A counter argument would be to offer raw data together with good quality accompanying and explanatory documentation. This can help minimise accompanying risks and thus ensure total transparency in terms of data publication.
Ensuring currency and quality of data (3)	Locally, the establishment of regular data collection and update procedures, complemented by the availability of a sufficient number of skilled staff. Nationally, and internationally, quality standards for currency, quality. Within the Information society today, this is something that should be considered at the international level in order to facilitate comparability, standard access and transboundary exchange. The European Environment Agency of DGXI might set the overall standard and policy for data collection, and management.
Bilingual datasets developed in response to transboundary environmental problems and cooperation (2)	Development of sophisticated interfaces or multi-lingual thesauri that offer data in multiple languages, and flexibility of the partners to accommodate this into their activities. Or agreement on one standard language. Chair reaction noted that public information systems should ultimately rely on a multi-lingual approach in order to avoid any potential conflicts.