From ad hoc publishing to an Open Data service that’s fast, compliant and loved by users
A large UK energy organisation supplying power to 3.9m+ customers operates in a tightly regulated landscape with Ofgem’s presumption of openness raising expectations for energy networks. The organisation already had an open data platform, but processes varied by dataset, ownership was unclear, and triage/documentation were still forming as sector guidance continued to evolve. The goal: a consistent, auditable, user-centred Open Data operation that keeps pace with industry guidance and internal demand.
Agile helped move from ad hoc publishing to an Open Data service by installing and upskilling a Data Portal Manager; standardising triage with a clear risk matrix, a Data Triage Committee, Data Surgery sessions, and a 20-day SLA tracked in Azure DevOps; and improving policy and interoperability (aligned to ENA playbooks and Dublin Core) so datasets are easier to find, understand and reuse. The impact: faster cycle times with better auditability, improved user experience and adoption through clearer metadata/consistent controls, stronger regulatory confidence, and a culture shift where Open Data becomes the natural outcome of governance, not an afterthought.
