Are you interested in creating or being part of an ethical and sustained data sharing initiative for social good? Here’s a quick list of dos and don’ts to set your cooking up for success from the start. These tips are a preview of the detailed recipes and examples in the cookbook. Follow these real-life recommendations from practitioners in the data sharing field in approaching the content in this cookbook:

Do’s

  1. Find a compelling reason. Successful data sharing partnerships start with a concrete motivator, typically a value proposition tied to a specific use case that solves a problem for the partners. 
  2. Be dynamic and responsive. People are naturally resistant to change. A successful approach should make people feel comfortable and present an appealing proposition.
  3. Find the right champions. Burnout is real. It can be difficult to sustain partnerships without identifying and cultivating champions over time.
  4. Know your context. Be conscious of the regulations, norms, policies, etc. at differing levels that impact data sharing. Be willing to leverage the partnership and advocate for policy changes to enable data sharing. 
  5. Seek to cross-pollinate—not cross-contaminate. Data sharing partnerships rise and fall, often within the same sectors and supply chains. Take time to learn about similar initiatives to identify synergies. Look for documentation, advice, and other valuable resources that can be repurposed from prior initiatives to avoid reinventing the wheel.

Don’ts

  1. Don’t get lost in the (technical) weeds. Don’t get discouraged by legalese, technical concerns, or questions about information sharing and privacy. These issues are important but typically can be resolved and are not generally the primary blockers to data sharing. 
  2. Don’t assume that partners will “get it.” Convincing partners to share data won’t necessarily be an easy sell. Don’t rely on proposals of technical benefits or get caught up in the technical aspects when seeking to get partners on board. Instead, make a compelling case for entering a data sharing partnership tied to solving real life problems. 
  3. Don’t get stuck. Data ecosystems are constantly evolving and partnerships have to be willing to change, too. Changes to governance, operations, and funding structures are part of the journey to building a sustainable initiative. 
  4. Don’t presume stakeholders will trust the initiative or understand the value of data sharing. Plan ahead for ongoing, transparent, accountable, and consistent communication with stakeholders within and outside of the partnership, including the broader public.