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Open by Default and Open Source do not mean the same thing; however, since both have common reasons for their use, organizations often place them together. As a result, these two distinct terms may be conflated or mistakenly used within an organization.

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In Canada, Open by Default is linked closest with the Open Government Initiative. Open by Default means that Canadians can easily access government data and information in open and standardized formats while ensuring National Security is not put in jeopardy. This includes access to everything from government research, data sets, statistics, personal information, and others.

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In Canada, Open by Default is linked closest with the Open Government Initiative.<ref>Government of Canada. (2019, March 5). [https://open.canada.ca/en Open Government]. Retrieved from open.canada.ca</ref> Open by Default means that Canadians can easily access government data and information in open and standardized formats while ensuring National Security is not put in jeopardy. This includes access to everything from government research, data sets, statistics, personal information, and others.<ref>Government of Canada. (2019, January 18).[https://open.canada.ca/en/content/canadas-new-plan-open-government-2016-2018 Canada’s Plan on Open Government 2016-2018]. Retrieved from open.canada.ca</ref>

Open Source refers to any program whose source code is made available for use, modification, and/or redistribution by any user or other developers. It is also an industry umbrella term that denotes topics such as Open by Design, Open Source Software, and Open Source Services.

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Although software is not the only product governed by Open Source, it is the most popular, lending itself well to manipulation of its code and add-ons through Open Licenses. Open Source Software is usually developed as a public collaboration and commonly made freely available. It provides a transparent platform upon which anyone with the skills to do so can add to the development and production of the software either for release as a new incarnation of the software for others to use or for strictly in-house development only.

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New users frequently make the mistake of believing that Open Source software is synonymous with “free”, and so it is common for the Open Source community to distinguish between "free", meaning zero price, and "free" meaning the liberty and guarantees of use. To help distinguish the two, the term "libre" is increasingly used for the liberty meaning. In terms of Open Source Software, the code is often freely downloadable and changeable, as long as the user follows what is agreed upon in the software license agreement.

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New users frequently make the mistake of believing that Open Source software is synonymous with “free”, and so it is common for the Open Source community to distinguish between "free", meaning zero price, and "free" meaning the liberty and guarantees of use. To help distinguish the two, the term "libre" is increasingly used for the liberty meaning.<ref>Shared Services Canada. (2017, June 2).[http://www.gcpedia.gc.ca/wiki/Open_Source_Software_Primer Open Source Software Primer]. Retrieved from gcpedia.gc.ca</ref> In terms of Open Source Software, the code is often freely downloadable and changeable, as long as the user follows what is agreed upon in the software license agreement.

The Linux Operating System is one of the best-known examples of Open Source Software technology. The Linux Operating System’s Open Source paradigm is in direct contrast to Microsoft’s approach to development and production of its popular Windows Operating System. Unlike Linux, Windows is built on a closed source paradigm that does not allow the end user the ability to see or edit the code that makes up the Operating System. In fact, certain aspects of the end-user license for the Windows Operating System specifically forbids the end user from attempting to view or modify the code that makes up the software.

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Cloud computing, the practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than using a local server or a personal computer is an increasingly important aspect of everyday life and as such, cloud computing platforms can be Open Source or Closed Source. Some cloud computing applications, like Google Apps, are proprietary (closed source). Others, like ownCloud and Nextcloud, are Open Source.

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An example of Open Source in industry is Open Banking. Open Banking is a system that provides a user with a network of financial institutions’ data through the use of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). Open Banking regulations require banks to publish, both online and inside their branches, accurate and unbiased information that lets consumers evaluate their service quality. This is a move towards transparency, designed to motivate banks to provide the best possible customer experience. Open Banking is meant to improve customers’ banking experience in several ways including forcing large, established banks to be more competitive with smaller and newer banks, ideally resulting in lower costs, better technology, and better customer service.

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An example of Open Source in industry is Open Banking. Open Banking is a system that provides a user with a network of financial institutions’ data through the use of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).<ref>Technopedia. (2019, January 29). [https://www.techopedia.com/definition/24407/application-programming-interface-api Application Programming Interface (API)]. Retrieved from techopedia.com</ref> Open Banking regulations require banks to publish, both online and inside their branches, accurate and unbiased information that lets consumers evaluate their service quality. This is a move towards transparency, designed to motivate banks to provide the best possible customer experience. Open Banking is meant to improve customers’ banking experience in several ways including forcing large, established banks to be more competitive with smaller and newer banks, ideally resulting in lower costs, better technology, and better customer service.

Open Banking is a major source of innovation in the banking industry. For example, Open Banking APIs can facilitate the sometimes onerous process of switching from one bank to another. The API can also look at consumers’ transaction data to identify the best financial products and services for them at that time, such as a new savings account that would earn a higher interest rate than the current savings account, or a different credit card with a lower interest rate.

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Openness and transparency are fundamental to ensuring Canadians’ trust in their government. Citizens expect their government to be open, transparent, and accountable. The Government of Canada (GC) is engaged in acting out Open by Default principles through the Open Government Portal, the Open by Default Pilot, and GCcode. The GC, since 2011, is a member of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) – a global multilateral initiative to foster greater transparency and accountability, improve governance, and increase civic engagement worldwide.

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The Open Government Portal (open.canada.ca) officially launched in 2014 and aims to provide one-stop access to the GC’s searchable Open Data and Open Information, together with Open Dialogue, as part of the GC’s commitment to enhance transparency and accountability. The data published on the Open Government Portal is made available by GC departments, agencies, and Crown corporations. While each of these entities is responsible for managing their own data, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) is responsible for the governance, including guidelines and policies, applicable to the data. With respect to the preservation of the data made available on this site, it is generally subject to the Open Government Licence and the standard rules governing retention and disposition of GC information.

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The Open Government Portal (open.canada.ca) officially launched in 2014 and aims to provide one-stop access to the GC’s searchable Open Data and Open Information, together with Open Dialogue, as part of the GC’s commitment to enhance transparency and accountability. The data published on the Open Government Portal is made available by GC departments, agencies, and Crown corporations. While each of these entities is responsible for managing their own data, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) is responsible for the governance, including guidelines and policies, applicable to the data. With respect to the preservation of the data made available on this site, it is generally subject to the Open Government Licence<ref>Government of Canada. (2017, December 20). [https://open.canada.ca/en/open-government-licence-canada Open Government Licence - Canada]. Retrieved from open.canada.ca</ref> and the standard rules governing retention and disposition of GC information.

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The GC also established the Open by Default Pilot, which demonstrates the proactive release of working information that supports government transparency and accountability. Documents available through the Open by Default Pilot are snapshots of works-in-progress from GC public servants. These can include field notes, research documents, reporting documents, and organizational charts from any of the four participating government departments. These are the four GC departments currently offering documents for the pilot: Canadian Heritage, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Natural Resources Canada, and TBS.

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The GC also established the Open by Default Pilot, which demonstrates the proactive release of working information that supports government transparency and accountability.<ref>Government of Canada. (2017, December 10). [https://open.canada.ca/en/about-open-by-default About the Open by Default Pilot]. Retrieved from open.canada.ca</ref> Documents available through the Open by Default Pilot are snapshots of works-in-progress from GC public servants. These can include field notes, research documents, reporting documents, and organizational charts from any of the four participating government departments. These are the four GC departments currently offering documents for the pilot: Canadian Heritage, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Natural Resources Canada, and TBS.

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According to the 2014 TBS Directive on Open Government, all mandatory reporting documents (e.g. reports to Parliament, proactive disclosure reports) and all documents posted online or planned for publication via departmental web sites or print (e.g. statistical reports, educational videos, event photos, organizational charts) are to be released and Open by Default. In order to accomplish this, all departments will develop and update on an annual basis, an Open Government Implementation Plan (OGIP). Additionally, the TBS Directive on Management of Information Technology (Appendix D) supports the Directive on Open Government by directing all work and release of APIs be done in an Open by Default manner, using Open Standards, and leveraging Open Source tools and frameworks, where feasible.

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According to the 2014 TBS Directive on Open Government, all mandatory reporting documents (e.g. reports to Parliament, proactive disclosure reports) and all documents posted online or planned for publication via departmental web sites or print (e.g. statistical reports, educational videos, event photos, organizational charts) are to be released and Open by Default.<ref>Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. (2014, October 9). [https://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=28108 Directive on Open Government]. Retrieved from tbs-sct.gc.ca</ref> In order to accomplish this, all departments will develop and update on an annual basis, an Open Government Implementation Plan (OGIP). Additionally, the TBS Directive on Management of Information Technology (Appendix D) supports the Directive on Open Government by directing all work and release of APIs be done in an Open by Default manner, using Open Standards, and leveraging Open Source tools and frameworks, where feasible.<ref>Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. (2018, December 3). [https://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=15249 Directive on Management of Information Technology]. Retrieved from tbs-sct.gc.ca</ref>

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Regarding Open Source, Shared Services Canada (SSC) has established and maintains a code sharing / collaboration platform named GCcode. GCcode is based on GitLab Community-Edition and is open to all GC departments. In the beginning, GCcode was called the “SSC’s GitLab instance” and was first intended to support application development within SSC Corporate Services/Chief Information Officer. In 2015, SSC GitLab instance was renamed GCcode to reflect its GC-wide usage. The goal of GCcode encourages collaboration and reuse of code across GC departments reducing development costs, increasing software transparency, avoiding lock-in with a specific vendor, increasing customization, attracting IT Talent, and building flexible GC digital operations.

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Regarding Open Source, Shared Services Canada (SSC) has established and maintains a code sharing / collaboration platform named GCcode.<ref>Tétreault, J.-P. (2018, May 29). [https://gcdocs.gc.ca/ssc-spc/llisapi.dll?func=ll&objaction=overview&objid=24419614 Presentation of GCcode]. Retrieved from gcdocs.gc.ca</ref> GCcode is based on GitLab Community-Edition and is open to all GC departments. In the beginning, GCcode was called the “SSC’s GitLab instance” and was first intended to support application development within SSC Corporate Services/Chief Information Officer. In 2015, SSC GitLab instance was renamed GCcode to reflect its GC-wide usage. The goal of GCcode encourages collaboration and reuse of code across GC departments reducing development costs, increasing software transparency, avoiding lock-in with a specific vendor, increasing customization, attracting IT Talent, and building flexible GC digital operations.

Additionally, SSC is supporting the Canadian Digital Exchange Program (CDXP), previously known as GC Interoperability Platform (GCIP), led by TBS. The CDXP is a platform that enables Government departments to share their data with each other and the outside world in a modern, secure, and unified way, which aims to enhance interoperability for online infrastructure and enable departments to seamlessly share and consume data and information.

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<h4>Challenges</h4>

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To achieve the vision of a more transparent, accountable and responsive government, an Open by Default and Open Government lens need to be increasingly applied through the use of Open Source technologies to new or renewed programs and service designs at all stages of the policy, service development and implementation. The shift to greater sharing of data and information, via Open Source technology, requires a great deal of work and a fundamental shift in the GC’s way of doing business.

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To achieve the vision of a more transparent, accountable and responsive government, an Open by Default and Open Government lens need to be increasingly applied through the use of Open Source technologies to new or renewed programs and service designs at all stages of the policy, service development and implementation.<ref>Government of Canada. (2017, November 28). [https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/information-technology/strategic-plan-2017-2021.html#toc4-2 Government of Canada Strategic Plan for Information Management and Information Technology 2017 to 2021]. Retrieved from canada.ca</ref> The shift to greater sharing of data and information, via Open Source technology, requires a great deal of work and a fundamental shift in the GC’s way of doing business.<ref>Government of Canada. (2019, Janvier 18). [https://open.canada.ca/en/content/canadas-new-plan-open-government-2016-2018 Canada’s Plan on Open Government 2016-2018]. Retrieved from open.canada.ca</ref>

The biggest problem with Open Source is under management. Although Total Cost of Acquisition (TCA) for Open Source is almost always zero, the critical issue for organizations from a low-burden acquisition is that the assets are either undermanaged or totally unmanaged once established within the organization.

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Further understanding of how to leverage Open Source is a main consideration for SSC if Open Source is to be further developed and leveraged within the GC. Low levels of adoption can sometimes be attributed to a lack of understanding of the potential benefits of Open Source, accompanied by a risk-averse technical and procurement culture, compounded by significant levels of misconceptions about Open Source security and its ecosystem services.

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SSC, as a service provider, may consider its leadership role in the promotion and development of guidance for Open Source Software and Open Source Standards in the GC. In Canada, the TBS 2004 Open Source Software Position is relatively neutral by stating that Open Source Software be considered just like other types of [proprietary] software, as long as the acquisition is aligned with the principles of the 2001 Federated Architecture Program. SSC may wish to consider how it would benefit from leading a preference for Open Source technology in the GC. Although the Open Source community doesn't serve as an official standards development organization, along with other organizations using Open Source, they often become a de facto standards creator due to momentum and enterprise demand.

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SSC, as a service provider, may consider its leadership role in the promotion and development of guidance for Open Source Software and Open Source Standards in the GC. In Canada, the TBS 2004 Open Source Software Position is relatively neutral by stating that Open Source Software be considered just like other types of [proprietary] software, as long as the acquisition is aligned with the principles of the 2001 Federated Architecture Program.<ref>Shared Services Canada. (2017, June 2). [http://www.gcpedia.gc.ca/wiki/Open_Source_Software_Primer Open Source Software Primer]. Retrieved from gcpedia.gc.ca</ref> SSC may wish to consider how it would benefit from leading a preference for Open Source technology in the GC. Although the Open Source community doesn't serve as an official standards development organization, along with other organizations using Open Source, they often become a de facto standards creator due to momentum and enterprise demand.

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With the growing expectations Canadians have for increased transparency, access to, and proactive release of federal GC data and information, this will require SSC to consider the requirements needed in order to ensure data and information resources are eligible for release, are easily discoverable and are reusable. SSC should consider the breadth of the task in order to ensure data and information is proactively released for public viewing and collaboration.

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With the growing expectations Canadians have for increased transparency, access to, and proactive release of federal GC data and information, this will require SSC to consider the requirements needed in order to ensure data and information resources are eligible for release, are easily discoverable and are reusable.<ref>Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. (2014, October 9). [https://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=28108 Directive on Open Government]. Retrieved from tbs-sct.gc.ca</ref> SSC should consider the breadth of the task in order to ensure data and information is proactively released for public viewing and collaboration.

SSC could consider conducting an options analysis of the top ten costliest software products currently provided to the GC in order to assess whether credible Open Source solutions could be leveraged in place of traditionally high-cost proprietary software (i.e. open source vs. commercial software) in order to realize greater operational efficiencies and cost savings. It should never be assumed that an organization should rely only on commercial products or on Open Source. An organization should not prefer one over the other; instead consider evaluating service and business lines to determine where Open Source could be leveraged. Wide-sweeping Open Source initiatives and change-overs are to be avoided. Moving full-scale from traditional closed source products is not a prudent strategy for organizations who are not built in an agile or flexible way. Regional governments have been successful in using Open Source as they are smaller in size.

Nicolas.rheaume

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Technology Trends/Open by Default (view source)

Revision as of 09:52, 17 July 2019

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