The Australian Government Information Management Office has issued a draft guide for public sector organisations looking to deploy data analytics.
The draft guide (PDF) "is intended as an appendix of the APS Better Practice Guide for Big Data and, should be read in this context", AGIMO assistant secretary, Marc Vickers, wrote in a blog entry.
The <i>APS Better Practice Guide for Big Data</i> was issued in April.
"Because big data projects often use information about individuals and, almost always, decisions and actions resulting from these findings may affect individuals, public sector agencies need to ensure that they maintain trust and operate within acceptable bounds as they increase their use of new technologies such as data analytics," cautions the draft Guide to Responsible Data Analytics.
Agencies must ensure that projects involving analytics projects are "in the general interest of the community"; must "identify and apply relevant ethical guidelines"; comply with the "values of the administrative law system; have an open data approach in the absence of privacy concern; adhere to relevant privacy and security principles; and that ensure "scope of assurance programs include management and use of data".
Agencies must also investigate any data breaches or oversights.
The big data guide issued in April identified big data as "an opportunity to address complex, high volume and high speed problems that have previously been beyond the capability of traditional methods"
"This includes finding new solutions for enhanced evidence based policy research, improved service delivery and increased efficiency," it stated.
"Agencies need to identify the opportunities brought by big data and assess their alignment with strategic objectives and future business operating models. Agencies also need to articulate the pathway for developing a capability to take advantage of the opportunities."