Data Publication Process

The process is guided by the Office of Management and Budget Open Data Policy (M-13-13). The process begins with the identification of a data asset by a USAID operating unit. A data asset is a collection of data elements or datasets that make sense to group together, as defined by Project Open Data. Each community of interest identifies the data assets specific to supporting the needs of their respective mission or business functions. A data asset may represent an entire database consisting of multiple distinct entity classes or a single entity class. Following identification, USAID makes a determination as to whether release is permitted by law, subject to all privacy, confidentiality, security, and other valid requirements. This involves reviewing the data asset for security restrictions to release, including those defined in the Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) program. Additionally, USAID reviews the data asset for the presence of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 and other legal authorities. USAID also reviews the data asset for information excepted from release by OMB Bulletin 12-01, such as information that would jeopardize the safety of U.S. personnel. Reviewers document any restrictions on the release of the data asset. Once the review process is complete, USAID publishes the data asset to its public data listing at www.usaid.gov/data, redacting as appropriate. The publication of data assets is a critical component of USAID's data publication process, enabling the agency to increase public access to valuable government information while maintaining necessary safeguards to protect sensitive information.