2019 State Standard of Excellence
3. Data Leadership
Did the governor’s office or any state agency have a senior staff member(s) with the authority, staff, and budget to collect, analyze, share, and use high-quality administrative and survey data—consistent with strong privacy protections— to improve (or help other entities including, but not limited to, local governments and nonprofit organizations improve) federal, state, and local programs? (Example: chief data officer)
Why is this important?
A designated chief data officer can create a coherent set of policies, structures, and guidance for how state agencies should routinely use data to improve programs.
Leading Example
CT
Statewide
A 2018 Connecticut law formalized the position of Chief Data Officer, created the Connecticut Data Analysis Technology Advisory Board, and required each state agency to designate an agency data officer to manage high value data sets and coordinate data-related activities with the state Chief Data Officer. The Chief Data Officer, along with individual agency data officers, are required to biannually update the state data plan, which covers open data and creates data standards for agencies. The plan also contains 11 principles and accompanying practices that all agencies should adopt in order to improve their management, use, sharing, and analysis of data.
Promising Examples
IN
Statewide
A 2017 Indiana law established the position of Chief Data Officer (p. 8) with the budget, staff, and authority to: (1) coordinate data analytics and data transparency for state agencies; (2) advise state agencies regarding best practices for data maintenance, security, and privacy; and (3) oversee the Indiana Management Performance Hub. The Hub uses state data, such as the Education and Workforce Development database, to provide “analytics solutions tailored to address complex management and policy questions enabling improved outcomes.” The Hub’s 2018 Annual Report estimates a return on investment of $40 million for the state.
KY
Statewide
In 2018, Kentucky established a Chief Data Officer to “coordinate and oversee the sharing of data” and “implement effective data governance strategies designed to maintain data integrity, confidentiality, availability, security, and to promote access to data.” The state’s Enterprise Data Management Policy requires each state agency to identify an Agency Data Steward to act as a liaison to the Chief Data Officer in implementing the state’s master data sharing agreement.
NC
Statewide
North Carolina’s Chief Data Officer oversees the North Carolina Government Data Analytics Center, which manages data sharing, integration, and data analytics to improve service delivery and the efficiency of services. In this role, the Chief Data Officer has the authority, staff, and budget “to transform existing data assets into an information utility for the state’s policy and operational leaders for their use in making program investment decisions, managing resources, and improving financial programs, budgets, and results.”
OR
Statewide
A 2018 Oregon law created a state Chief Data Officer responsible for centralized data strategy, including an enterprise-wide open data platform. The Chief Data Officer is charged with creating open data standards, providing privacy guidance for state agencies, identifying opportunities for data sharing, and designing stakeholder engagement strategies including an advisory committee.
UT
Statewide
In 2019, Utah appointed a Chief Data Officer within the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget. The Chief Data Officer uses the Quality Throughput/Operating Expense (QT/OE) model to help agencies measure what matters, including an effort to merge social services case management data.
VA
Statewide
A 2018 Virginia law created a Chief Data Officer to coordinate the effective sharing of data among state, regional, and local entities, including the engagement of a Data Sharing and Analytics Advisory Committee. The Chief Data Officer is responsible for the state’s data governance including policies related to open data, data sharing, and data privacy.
WA
Single agency
The Washington State Department of Social Services Research and Data Analysis Division is led by a Director who is responsible for providing policymakers with data and analyses to improve the effectiveness of services for clients. The Director oversees the Department’s Integrated Client Database, which brings together data from 10 state agencies, 40 separate data systems, and 2.4 million individuals. Under the Director’s leadership this database has been used by the state’s Health Home Program to generate tens of millions of dollars in reduced costs and shared savings payments.