Guide to Civic Tech and Data Ecosystem Mapping

Guide to Civic Tech & Data Ecosystem MappingJUNE 2018Olivia ArenaUrban InstituteCrystal LiLiving Cities 0305 11 14 07 09 CONTENTS Introduction to Ecosystem Mapping Choose a Data-Collection Methodology and Mapping Software Key Questions to Ask before Getting Started Analyze Your Ecosystem MapAppendix A – Ecosystem Mapping Tools Analysis Decide What Data to Collect 1Guide to Civic Tech & Data Ecosystem MappingFor more information on the Civic Tech & Data Collaborative visitlivingcities.org/CTDC 2 Living Cities harnesses the collective power of 18 of the world’s largest foundations and financial institutions to develop and scale new approaches for creating opportunities for low-income people, particularly people of color, and improving the cities where they live. Its investments, applied research, networks, and convenings catalyze fresh thinking and combine support for innovative, local approaches with real-time sharing of learning to accelerate adoption in more places. Additional information can be found at www.livingcities.org.The nonprofit Urban Institute is a leading research organization dedicated to developing evidence-based insights that improve people’s lives and strengthen communities. For 50 years, Urban has been the trusted source for rigorous analysis of complex social and economic issues; strategic advice to policy-makers, philanthropists, and practitioners; and new, promising ideas that expand opportunities for all. Our work inspires effective decisions that advance fairness and enhance the well-being of people and places.Coordinated by the Urban Institute, the National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership (NNIP) consists of independent organizations in 32 cities that share mission to help community stakeholders use neighborhood data for better decisionmaking, with a focus on assisting organizations and residents in low-income communities. Code for America is a national nonprofit that believes government can work for the people, by the people, in the 21st century. We organize a network of people who build technology to further local governments’ priorities of creating healthy, prosperous, and safe communities. Our goal: government services that are simple, effective, and easy to use, for everyone.About the National PartnersGuide to Civic Tech & Data Ecosystem Mapping I. Introduction to Ecosystem Mapping 3Guide to Civic Tech & Data Ecosystem Mapping From 2014 to 2018, the Civic Tech and Data Collaborative (CTDC) brought together local government officials, civic technologists, and community data organizations from seven communities to explore ways to harness data and technology to benefit low-income residents. Three national organizations with local networks—Living Cities, Code for America, and the National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership (NNIP)—guided the initiative. To provide real-world examples and lessons for the field, local collaboratives in Boston, St. Louis, and Washington, DC, created products that use data and technology in new ways to improve services or programs in their cities. Each national organization brings its own partnership to the table: brigades from Code for America, NNIP from the Urban Institute, and city staff, including the Project on Municipal Innovation, from Living Cities. NNIP organizations, local governments, and Code for America brigades exist in civic tech and data ecosystems. Ecosystems are dynamic networks that emerge through connections between many actors. For our project, the CTDC “ecosystems” included interactions between local actors who use or create data and technology to improve civic life, specifically government services and policies that affect low-income residents. We tasked seven local collaboratives—Boston, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, San Antonio, Seattle/King County, and Washington, DC—to become “ecosystem builders” in their communities. To better understand, support, and leverage these local connections, the CTDC used ecosystem mapping, a process that allows people to visualize their network and helps foster an understanding of how each organization in the community contributed or could contribute to the collaborative. The culture of trust and new relationships forged through the CTDC work and ecosystem exercises increased the flow of information.This document provides guidance and examples from these cities on the value of mapping, key questions when getting started, different methods to collect the data, and how to use and analyze ecosystem maps to strengthen community relationships. 4 Guide to Civic Tech & Data Ecosystem Mapping An ecosystem map will never capture an entire ecosystem; an ecosystem is a dynamic, emergent network of many actors, so the civic tech landscapes continuously shift Envisioning the mapping process as the beginning of a journey, rather than a destination, can inspire new ideas for collaboration or help uncover areas in need of growth. Beginning the process with specific intentions can limit the sc