Using IATI datasets for communication: Where can we improve?

Using IATI dataset for
communication:
Where can we improve?
IATI TAG 2017
Marten Schoonman

Sender Receiver
Communication between people: in a simple representation there is a sender
and a receiver of a message (content). They interact with each other.

Sender
Receiver
They may be far apart; different countries, languages, contexts.

Sender
Receiver
So how do they overcome barriers of communication? They interact and there is
an emphasis for the sender to make sure the receiver can understand the
interaction (e.g. provide translations of content and think about suitable format
and channel).

Linking to IATI: left is the XML format. It is machine-readable and technical
people will most likely understand how to convert it. But over 90% of the people
wanting to understand this do not understand and will not be able to use it (i.e.
no communication). On the right the human-accessible version of the same
content. For attractiveness photos and such are added.

1.  Enter
2.  Publish
3.  Use: Report, Review,
Share, Promote,
Collaborate, etc.
4.  Update
Sender
Receiver
When the Sender shares project data there are various steps involved to make
communication with IATI data work in order for the receiver (and the sender
itself) to understand and use it.

Akvo is a not-for-profit foundation that
creates open source, internet and mobile
software and sensors

Working with xml is not needed to share project data in IATI format. This is a
screenshot of the first section of the Akvo RSR project editor. The user is guided
along the way to make data entry and updating as simple as possible.
Link: http://rsrsupport.akvo.org/article/show/adding-a-new-project-via-the-project-editor

Immediately after data entry, the data is available on the publicly accessible
platform. The entry user can check if all data is entered correctly and adapt it at
any time. Link: http://rsr.akvo.org/

Of course it is possible to customise the project selections and filters to a specific
need (organisation, programme, country, etc). This is for example the project
portfolio of Plan Finland which has it’s own website link:
http://planfinland.akvoapp.org

Every projects gets its own project page. Several fields that do not (yet) exist in
the IATI standard can be added and stored in the IATI file: project photo, subtitle,
summary, background, etc.
Link: http://rsr.akvo.org/fr/project/5788/#summary
Link to fields: https://github.com/akvo/akvo-rsr/wiki/IATI-Import-mapping

Additional communication options are the ability to add project updates to
projects consisting of a photo or video and a text. Over 16,000 updates have
been placed online with Akvo RSR this way.
Link: http://rsr.akvo.org/en/project/2359/update/16949/

Sharing results data is of upmost importance. It allows for evaluation and
improving aid effectiveness: the essence of the IATI initiative. Elaborate and
complex results frameworks can be shared in a readible and attractive manner.
Link: http://planfinland.akvoapp.org/en/project/3077/#results,18799,13105

In extension it can be wise to create custom visualisations for your work to ensure
the receiver can easily understand the results structure. Link:
http://wash-alliance.org/results/results-visualisation/

The same can be used to create clarity how (in this case) 100 implementing
organisation contribute to the main objective of the programme. It was also
shared in poster print with the respective organisations. Link:
http://wash-alliance.org/results/results-framework/

IATI uses the term ‘activities’. These can be various things e.g. a programme, a
project. To help the receiver to comprehend a model of IATI activities, a
visualisation is available in Akvo RSR to navigate. Link:
http://rsr.akvo.org/en/project/3981/hierarchy/

Webpages are one way to communicate project data. Mostly we use reports;
printed, in pdf format etc. They cost a lot of time and energy to create. And they
are usually share long after work is done. Why not use updated project data to
create them using a template? That takes 2 minutes.. Report templates can be
added on request. Link:
http://rsrsupport.akvo.org/article/show/export-reports-in-my-reports

https://www.viawater.nl/projects
The data available online can take many different shapes as well. When you
design your website, you can again use the project data and present it in the
style of your choice. Using the RSR read API. There is no double data entry, there
does not need to be. Link: https://www.viawater.nl/projects
Akvo RSR API link: http://rsrsupport.akvo.org/article/show/using-the-api-to-show-rsr-information-in-a-custom-format

And a screenshot of the custom designed project page
Link: https://www.viawater.nl/projects/sponge-towns-kitui-kenya

Promotion of the data to ensure you reach your constituency of receivers. This
can be done via for example using a default web banner to place on another
(high traffic) website.
Link: http://planfinland.akvoapp.org/en/project/3077/widgets/

Project updates can be share via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.
Link: https://twitter.com/DorothyMwambazi/status/833050929129725952

Schema
Implementing IATI for communication required careful systems design including
dataflow and procedures. Here a diagram of what this can look like. Let us know
if you want to talk about this more. Link: marten@akvo.org

Thank
you

marten@akvo.org

Using IATI datasets for communication: Where can we improve?

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Using IATI datasets for communication: Where can we improve?