The CoST Infrastructure Data Standard (IDS) is designed to put data into a format that is accessible, understandable and applicable for both policy-makers and the public. For example, the IDS not only requires numerical data such as cost and time increases to be published but also the summary reasons for these changes. At national level, CoST programmes take the IDS forward to meet needs on the ground, achieving a credible and substantial level of compliance.

Incorporating a ‘one size fits all’ approach can limit the power of open data in responding to sectoral challenges. Public infrastructure investment is often characterised by opaque decision making by public officials and delivered via a long supply chain that is governed by informal rules and practices. CoST has tackled this challenge by asking for data to be disclosed at each stage of the project cycle (from inception to completion), in addition to data from the principle contracts (typically design, construction and supervision).

This one-pager outlines the CoST Infrastructure Data Standard. It breaks down the 40 data points on Project and Contract Data for proactive disclosure and, separately,the data points for disclosure upon request.