Defining, selecting and implementing interoperable and FAIR research data services

This BoF session aims to explore the challenges organisations face when establishing data services, with a specific focus on interoperable services that further FAIR principles.  As the universe of research data services continues to expand, more institutions are looking to procure and deliver multiple services that both further FAIR principles and are interoperable.  Sometimes this develops in an ad hoc fashion, in other cases in connection with an intentionally conceived ‘data commons’.

The exercise of engaging services often occurs in a disjointed fashion, with less-than-ideal communication between different parts of the procuring institution, specifically with IT managers who are often critical to deployment. This miscommunication often results in extra costs and wasted time for both the institution and suppliers, and in unnecessary delays in making services available.

Identifying needs and running tenders is just the start of the process, and many issues arise at the deployment and service delivery phase. There can be a lack of clarity in the specifications or more commonly misunderstandings about roles and responsibilities to implement services. Close collaboration is needed with IT services, who may not have been active in these earlier stages.

The proposed session will examine how three institutions are tackling these issues, including:

1. Identifying needs and solutions

• Identifying requirements accurately
• Market analysis of potential solutions
• Drafting detailed specifications that support implementation
• Assessing options and potential routes to engage services

2. Designing or procuring services

• Considering self-hosting or partnership models
• Writing tenders and effectively prioritising needs
• Effective communications with potential suppliers
• Managing processes in a way to keep options open

3. Deployment & delivery

• Engaging the right institutional stakeholders to deploy
• Clarity on mutual responsibilities and requirements
• Business as usual service delivery
• Enabling inter-operability with other services