You’ve included some relevant examples of data visualization and mapping. In your estimation, is the Girl Effect Grid similar to these examples, or does it differ in ambition and if so, in what way? (If not, please could you provide more information on the most relevant example and ways in which the products are similar?)
Our proposal for the Girl Effect is most similar in scope to the included example of the Pacific Rim Coordination Center site. This site combines a narrative with changing map layers, to display and explain the unique vulnerabilities that each region faces regarding natural disasters. Additionally, the Pacific Rim Center makes all layers available for download in the open data section, just like we intend for the Girl Hub as an open data center.
Another relevant example is our work with Amnesty International's Demand Justice Now campaign. Our map introduces viewers tp the international justice infrastructure, displaying the need for Amnesty's advocacy work and the viewer's involvement. This site differs from our proposal for GH in it's absence of an open data download page.
Lastly, our work with the State Department to create the Syria Justice and Accountability Center combines a detailed data narrative with aggregate charts and numbers to visualize individual events on the map within the ontext of a bigger picture. The narrative breakds down war crimes into four categories, and incorporates third party applications like YouTube as a means of including the journalism work of Human Rights Watch and other organizations. The data is all open with links to original sources in the data catalog, which serves as a resource center to showcase the work of many organizations. We envision a similar scope of work for GH, in terms of the narrative and the open data center.
You mention time restrictions and the ‘aggressive timeline’ that we are up against. What would be your suggested timings to create the 'ideal' product/platform and in what way might this product differ to that suggested in the proposal?
The agrressive timeline was in reference to the tight schedule that the World Bank had for their open data project. The timeline suggested in the proposal outlines the ideal pace for creating an open, iterative process between Developemnt Seed, Ushahidi and GirlHub - though we are flexible in moving slightly faster or slower as necessary. We can be flexible largely because all our conversations and work are captured on an intranet group space, keeping every part of the process open. These 'tickets' or 'tasks' are always framed within the context of objectives, and always ends with 'next actions'. We've found that moving fairly quickly in this iterative process, while keeping all communication transparent, allows our team of designers, strategists and web developers to pass off phases of the project with common goals and expectations. These phases create momentum within our team, though we always allow time for feedback loops and open communcation.
Stakeholder engagement is going to play a crucial role in the project – ensuring they are on-board from the out-set. Is this something that Development Seed gets involved in and if so, please could you provide more information on how/at what stages in the process you would see this happening? (Please provide examples where possible.)
DevSeed and Ushahidi start with stakholder engagement in the kick-off strategy phase, when we capture all of the details about the intended audience, then design and build the site with their engagement in mind. This also involves meeting girl hubs stakeholders, brainstorming about any others, and then maintain communication. Ushahidi will take the lead with this local stakeholder engagement due to their connections with the tech community in east Africa, where they have an office. We'd love to use the ihub in any way if this is an option. As we launch the product, DevSeed and Ushahidi will work with GirlHub to coordinate and/or attend events where it makes the most sense to promote the site in DC.
It’s crucial we develop a tool that can produce credible findings for our development and government audiences, comparing the correct indicators and layering varying data sets accordingly. Do you have people with data/GIS analytics expertise within Development Seed who could assist with this and if not, would you be able to bring someone on-board with the relevant skillset for this project? (Examples of relevant past work would be ideal if possible.)
We can definitely provide the mapping tools to enable users to make these comparisons between indicators, DevSeed and Ushahidi have extensive GIS database management and visualization experience in house. We will apply all our experience to this project to make an effective tool.
As for data collection - the Ushahidi tool can be used for this. Both Ushahidi and DevSeed have team members who can convert data into analysis and visuals. However we did not include a researcher into the budget for finding new data sets. So right now we are planning on workin with:
- Ushahidi data collection
- Girl Hub identified data
- Our in house expertise to analyse and visualize that data.
All our past experience examples are examples of us taking data and making strong analysis and visuals.
Given Girl Hub’s procurement process to meet donor requirements and establish VfM, we’re required to give granular breakdowns of budget. This should include people’s daily rates and amount of time estimated against each individual. Please could you re-submit your budget with the above information, dividing the costs against your three phases? Please note that we need a clear distinction between professional fees and other direct / expense costs, due to withholding tax on professional fees. (Please include costs for additional experts if necessary, in light of above feedback.)
For the DevSeed publishing part of the proposal, we work at a rate of $200/hr, which informs all of the prices reflected in the budget. All fees are professional besides travel, and [MapBox hosting](For the DevSeed publishing part of the proposal, ). Let me know if it would still be helfpul to resubmit the budget and I'd be happy to send along a version with these figures included.