Key frameworks for structuring data in collaborative environments
Today, many organizations are getting ready for interoperability by building out their data ecosystems, enhancing data security, and adopting best practices for data governance. But once these foundations are in place, the next challenge is syncing up—sharing data and collaborating effectively with other organizations or government agencies to support humanitarian goals without risking harm to affected populations. To achieve this, seamless data sharing has become an essential part of achieving interoperability for development organizations—not only to boost operational efficiency but also to strengthen coordination, accountability, and transparency.
While recent sector-wide commitments and frameworks, like the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data’s Data Interoperability Collaborative, have pushed data interoperability forward, there remains a need for specific, actionable guidance on how to achieve secure, interoperable data systems. From demographic information on communities served to detailed metrics on service delivery, the right data shared responsibly can unlock valuable insights, improve collaboration, and support more effective interventions.
In this two-part series, we explore here in Part 1 the essentials of data sharing for development interoperability—from structuring data to meet international standards to building frameworks that support ethical and secure information exchange. Part 2 will dive into collaboration and partnerships, offering guidance on building alliances that enhance data use and impact across sectors.
By following the data sharing best practices below, organizations can ensure that their data not only supports their mission but also contributes to broader efforts for lasting impact.
Data sharing and interoperability
Data sharing is a crucial component of interoperability, enabling different systems to “speak” to each other and work together seamlessly. For development organizations, effective data sharing is essential to collaborate across departments, government agencies, and donors and often across international borders. When data is structured and shared properly, it allows for quicker decision-making, improved resource allocation, and more impactful interventions.
However, to achieve true interoperability by securely and successfully sharing your data, you must first structure data in ways that support consistency and accessibility across platforms. This section will dive into three best practices for structuring data and adopting common sharing frameworks to facilitate interoperability.
1. Structuring your data for interoperability
How you structure your data can significantly impact its usability and accessibility in collaborative environments. Well-structured data allows organizations to share information seamlessly, ensuring that different systems can interpret and use the data effectively. For development organizations, this can mean faster, more efficient responses and improved outcomes.
To support interoperability, consider using established data frameworks, such as OData and OpenData, which provide standardized ways of structuring and sharing information. These frameworks make it easier for different systems to exchange data reliably, reducing the risk of errors and improving overall data quality.
- OData (Open Data Protocol)
OData is a standardized protocol designed to facilitate the creation and consumption of REST APIs, allowing applications to interact with data services in a consistent and interoperable way. By using OData, organizations can structure their data to support real-time querying and updates across various systems without the need for complex custom integrations. For development organizations, this protocol makes it easier to share dynamic data—such as information on beneficiaries or resources—with partners and agencies, enhancing both the speed and efficiency of data-driven responses.
- OpenData
OpenData refers to data that is openly accessible and free for public use, often published by governments and public institutions. This data typically follows specific standards and formats, ensuring it can be easily used, shared, and integrated across various platforms. By aligning with OpenData principles, organizations in the development sectors can incorporate additional data sources, such as public health statistics or socio-economic indicators, into their own datasets. This accessibility fosters cross-sector collaboration and enables organizations to draw on a broader set of insights to inform their decisions and actions.
2. International standards for data sharing
Adopting international data standards is essential for development organizations to ensure interoperability, consistency, and transparency when collaborating across sectors. Standards such as the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) and the Humanitarian Exchange Language (HXL) provide guidelines for structuring and sharing data in ways that meet the unique needs of global development and humanitarian work.
The IATI Standard is widely used by international aid and development organizations to make data on aid activities more transparent, accessible, and useful. By adhering to IATI, organizations can format and publish their data in a standardized way, making it easier for partners, donors, and other stakeholders to understand, compare, and analyze aid activities across different regions. This transparency not only builds trust but also supports data-driven decision-making across the global aid community.
Similarly, HXL is a standard designed to improve data sharing in humanitarian settings. Specifically aimed at crisis response, HXL provides a simple way to label data so that it can be easily merged, shared, and understood by different organizations working on similar issues. By using HXL, organizations can streamline data integration in fast-paced environments, ensuring that critical information is available and interpretable when it’s needed most.
By adopting these international standards, development organizations make their data more compatible with other systems and stakeholders, paving the way for effective cross-organizational collaboration and a unified approach to addressing global challenges.
3. Establishing common frameworks for data sharing
In addition to adopting international standards, NGOs and humanitarian organizations can establish their own data-sharing frameworks to facilitate seamless collaboration with partners. Creating custom frameworks allows organizations to tailor data-sharing protocols to their specific needs, ensuring that information is exchanged in ways that support the goals of each involved party.
For instance, organizations working in health or crisis response might partner to develop a shared framework that aligns data formatting, security requirements, and data-sharing protocols specific to the urgency and privacy concerns of their sector. By developing these common frameworks, partners can reduce inconsistencies, streamline communication, and ensure that data is accessible and actionable across systems.
As organizations strive to sync their data practices with broader goals, tools like SurveyCTO’s external share feature can further facilitate secure, transparent data sharing with key stakeholders, from field teams to donors. By following these best practices for data sharing, organizations are not only enhancing their own capabilities but also contributing to a more data-driven, collaborative, and effective humanitarian landscape.
Sharing data for greater impact and collaboration
Data sharing is a crucial component for development organizations in building a more interconnected and impactful global community. By structuring data for interoperability, adopting international standards like IATI and HXL, and establishing shared frameworks with partners, you can ensure that your data flows seamlessly across teams, systems, and borders.
This alignment makes data more actionable, allowing your organization to respond to needs faster, collaborate more effectively, and enhance the overall impact of your work.
