Within days of President Joe Biden taking office, his administration emphasized the centrality of data in addressing both the COVID-19 pandemic and racial inequity. Before that, laws and initiatives such as the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018, Digital Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014, and Federal Data Strategy pushed agencies to build their capacity for data-driven operations.
This overall goal has led many agencies to create and appoint data-focused roles, including senior-level chief data officers (CDOs) and first-ever data analysts. They have begun advancing data strategies and investing in solutions. But through these mandates and governmentwide initiatives, how can agencies bring their goals and strategies to life to address their most pressing problems?
This overall goal has led many agencies to create and appoint data-focused roles, including senior-level chief data officers (CDOs) and first-ever data analysts. They have begun advancing data strategies and investing in solutions. But through these mandates and governmentwide initiatives, how can agencies bring their goals and strategies to life to address their most pressing problems?
Four basic areas of data competency - governance, security, literacy and ethics - are key to becoming a data-driven agency. Additionally, to carry out a data strategy, an organization needs to ensure that its staff has all the necessary skills. In December 2020, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) emphasized the importance of making data competency part of an agency’s culture. “Such a culture change can result in a shared understanding of the importance of using data as a strategic asset to achieve the mission and improve operations,” the report states. That same month, as part of the Federal Data Strategy, GSA released the Data Ethics Framework to help encourage ethical data decision-making throughout the federal government.
Download the guide to read more about how agencies at the Federal, state, and local levels are updating their data strategies with the latest technology. You'll learn:
- How organizations can apply the four basic competency areas to aptly use data.
- How four agencies are applying analytics to challenges such as COVID-19 vaccine distribution, data sharing, remote work and autonomous vehicles.
- Best practices and the latest Federal guidelines, with checklists on how to apply them at your organization.
Plus, hear from data innovators at the CDC, North Carolina, the US Census, Indiana, the DOT, and the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled as well as Carahsoft's technology experts when you download the guide.