CGIAR Big Data Coordination Platform Proposal
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CGIAR Big Data
Coordination Platform
Leveraging CGIAR data:
Bringing big data to agriculture,
and agriculture to big data
March 2016
This proposal was developed from consultations with CGIAR CRPs and Centers and with
representatives of 42 external partners. CIAT and IFPRI will circulate it more widely seeking further
inputs from institutions and potential partners in the public and private sector with interest in big data
and its potential contribution to development of agriculture to ensure global food security.
Citation: CIAT and IFPRI (2016). CGIAR Big data coordination platform. Proposal to the CGIAR Fund
Council, 31 March, 2016. International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Cali, Colombia and
International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington DC, United States of America.
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CGIAR Big data coordination platform
Leveraging CGIAR data: Bringing big data to
agriculture, and agriculture to big data
CONTENTS
RATIONALE AND SCOPE .......................................................................................................................... 1
Overview and Development Context ................................................................................................ 1
Objectives and Targets ...................................................................................................................... 2
Platform Principles ............................................................................................................................. 3
Process-oriented agile approach .................................................................................................. 3
Networked approach through partnership .................................................................................. 4
Iterative DATA needs assessment and TECHNOLOGY landscape analysis ................................... 4
PLATFORM STRUCTURE AND MODULES ................................................................................................. 5
Structure ............................................................................................................................................ 5
Modules ............................................................................................................................................. 5
Module #1: Organize .................................................................................................................... 5
Module #2: Convene .................................................................................................................... 5
Module #3: Inspire ....................................................................................................................... 5
The Platform and Big Data in CGIAR .................................................................................................. 6
The Platform’s Linkage with Other CGIAR Platforms and Programs ................................................. 6
IMPACT PATHWAY AND CONTRIBUTION TO THEORY OF CHANGE OF CGIAR AND ITS PROGRAMS ...... 7
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT ....................................................................................................................... 9
PLATFORM LEADERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE ............................................................. 10
BUSINESS CASE ...................................................................................................................................... 12
Expertise and Track Record ............................................................................................................. 12
CIAT: ............................................................................................................................................ 12
IFPRI ............................................................................................................................................ 12
PLATFORM PARTNERS ................................................................................................................ 12
Access to Materials, Sites and Services ........................................................................................... 15
Interactions between the Platform and Users ................................................................................ 15
Intellectual Asset Management ....................................................................................................... 16
Open Access Management .............................................................................................................. 16
Communication Strategy ................................................................................................................. 16
Risk Management ............................................................................................................................ 17
CGIAR Big Data Coordination Platform Proposal
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Detailed Breakdown of the Costs .................................................................................................... 18
MODULE 1: ORGANIZE .......................................................................................................................... 21
Rationale and Scope ........................................................................................................................ 21
RATIONALE ................................................................................................................................. 21
Domain #1: CGIAR’s Open Access and Open Data Compliancy ................................................. 21
Domain #2: Provision of Enabling Datasets, Tools, and Services ............................................... 21
Domain #3: CGIAR-wide Adoption of a Common Data Analytics Environment ......................... 21
Objectives and Targets .................................................................................................................... 22
Objective #1. Assess the Data and Technology Needs ............................................................... 22
Objective #2. Open CGIAR Research Outputs for Advanced Utility ........................................... 22
Objective #3. Provision of Enabling Datasets, Tools, and Services ............................................ 24
Objective #4. Implementation of a Common Data Analytics Environment ............................... 26
Science Quality ................................................................................................................................ 27
Strategy #1: Provide data quality training and develop quality control protocols .................... 27
Strategy #2: Convey the probabilistic nature of data analytics outputs with associated
uncertainties ............................................................................................................................... 27
Strategy #3: Convey the dynamic nature of data input streams and analytics outputs ............ 28
Strategy #4: Promote transparency in data processing and documentation ............................ 28
Strategy #5: Promote data citation and monitor the reuse and subsequent reanalysis of data
.................................................................................................................................................... 28
System Linkages ............................................................................................................................... 28
Linkage #1: Community of Practice on the OA/OD Compliance ................................................ 28
Linkage #2: Community of Practice on Data Analytics Users ..................................................... 28
Linkage #3: Big Data-driven Impact Assessment of CRPs ........................................................... 29
Climate Change ................................................................................................................................ 29
Linkage #1: Ensuring Standards Compliance on Climate Data ................................................... 29
Linkage #2: Network of Micro-climate Sensors at Trial Sites of CGIAR and Partners ................ 29
Capacity Development ..................................................................................................................... 29
Intellectual Asset and Open Access Management .......................................................................... 30
Module Management ...................................................................................................................... 30
Module Budget Narrative ................................................................................................................ 30
MODULE 2: CONVENE ........................................................................................................................... 33
Rationale and Scope ........................................................................................................................ 33
Objectives and Targets .................................................................................................................... 34
OBJECTIVE #1. Establish a CGIAR-led Big Data in Agriculture Convention and engage CGIAR more
broadly in the big data community ............................................................................................ 34
OBJECTIVE #2. Establish communities of practice and working groups around key topics ....... 35
CGIAR Big Data Coordination Platform Proposal
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Science Quality ................................................................................................................................ 36
System Linkages ............................................................................................................................... 37
Climate Change ................................................................................................................................ 38
Capacity Development ..................................................................................................................... 38
Intellectual Asset and Open Access Management .......................................................................... 38
Module Management ...................................................................................................................... 38
Module Budget Narrative ................................................................................................................ 39
MODULE 3: INSPIRE .............................................................................................................................. 41
Rationale and Scope ........................................................................................................................ 41
Objectives and Targets .................................................................................................................... 42
OBJECTIVE #1. Establish pilot Inspire projects around big data related innovations for
agricultural development ........................................................................................................... 42
OBJECTIVE #2. SCALE SUCCESSFUL PILOTS of big data related innovations for agricultural
development into fully-fledged Inspire projects in collaboration with CRPs ............................. 43
Science Quality ................................................................................................................................ 44
System Linkages ............................................................................................................................... 45
Climate Change ................................................................................................................................ 45
Capacity Development ..................................................................................................................... 45
Intellectual Asset and Open Access Management .......................................................................... 45
Module Management ...................................................................................................................... 46
Module Budget Narrative ................................................................................................................ 47
ANNEXES ............................................................................................................................................... 49
ANNEX 1 EXPERTISE AND TRACK RECORD - CVS .............................................................................. 50
ANNEX 2 BUSINESS CASE: INTERACTIONS BETWEEN THE PLATFORM AND USERS ........................ 66
ANNEX 3. OPEN ACCESS (OA) AND OPEN DATA (OD) MANAGEMENT ............................................ 67
ANNEX 4. INTELLECTUAL ASSET MANAGEMENT ............................................................................. 71
Overview of intellectual assets management in the Platform ................................................... 71
Planning and tracking concerning intellectual assets and their associated rights ..................... 71
Indicative budget breakdown by year relating to intellectual assets management. ................. 73
ANNEX 5 - MODULE PROPOSAL BUDGET NARRATIVES ................................................................... 74
Module 1: Organize .................................................................................................................... 74
Module 2: Convene .................................................................................................................... 79
Module 3: Inspire ....................................................................................................................... 82
ANNEX 6 - LIST OF REFERENCES ....................................................................................................... 85
ANNEX 7 - PLATFORM LEADERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE (DETAILED) ................... 87
ANNEX 8. CONSULTATIONS ............................................................................................................. 90
AMBITION ................................................................................................................................... 90
