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See https://data.cityofnewyork.us/Housing-Development/bayridge-hotel-demolition-permit/3zh9-iekr
This shows the permit for demolition in Bayridge Brooklyn NY at 2501 86th St
2501 86th St, Brooklyn, NY 11214
Last Action: PERMIT ISSUED - ENTIRE JOB/WORK 02/06/2024 (R)
Application received on: 03/03/2023
Why is government open data tools so slow and hard to use?
You're right, many government open data tools suffer from being slow and hard to use. Unfortunately, there's no single simple answer, but rather a mix of factors at play:
Funding and Staffing:
Limited budgets: Government agencies often have tight budgets, leading to outdated technology, insufficient resources for data cleaning and maintenance, and a lack of personnel with modern digital skills.
Understaffed teams: Maintaining and improving data portals requires dedicated staff with expertise in data management, user experience, and web development. Understaffing makes it difficult to keep up with user needs and technological advancements.
Bureaucracy and Procurement:
Lengthy procurement processes: Acquiring new technology or hiring contractors often involves complex and time-consuming procedures, hindering innovation and rapid improvement.
Risk aversion: The nature of government work can lead to a preference for tried-and-tested solutions, even if they're outdated, over innovative options with potential risks.
User-Centric Design:
Focus on compliance: Data portals often prioritize legal and security requirements over user experience, leading to confusing interfaces and unclear documentation.
Limited user research: Without understanding user needs and pain points, it's difficult to design tools that are truly helpful and intuitive.
Data Challenges:
Data silos: Data may be scattered across different departments and agencies, making it difficult to centralize and provide a unified view.
Data quality issues: Inconsistent formatting, missing values, and errors can impede data analysis and usefulness.
Fortunately, there are efforts to address these challenges:
Open government initiatives: Many governments are recognizing the importance of open data and investing in improving tools and accessibility.
Collaboration with tech companies: Partnerships between government and private sector can leverage expertise and resources for modernization.
Community involvement: Engaging users in the design and feedback process can lead to more user-friendly tools.
While progress is being made, making government open data truly accessible and user-friendly remains a complex and ongoing challenge.