In the ever-evolving landscape of the public sector, leaders are increasingly recognising the transformative power of data. Harnessing data effectively is paramount to drive policy decisions, enhancing service delivery and fostering operational excellence. Yet, the journey to becoming a data-driven organisation is fraught with challenges that require thoughtful consideration and strategic planning.
To navigate these complexities, here are 10 key data questions that every public sector leader must address:
- Does your organisation have a clear data strategy aligned with our organisation’s goals?
- Is there a data roadmap in place that defines data priorities, investments and long-term impact?
- What processes are in place to maintain high quality, accurate and reliable data?
- How effectively is data being used to inform policy, service design and operational improvements?
- What measures are in place to protect sensitive information while enabling appropriate data sharing across departments and with trusted partners?
- Does your workforce have the skills, tools and confidence to interpret and act on data insights?
- As AI adoption grows, how can you guarantee transparency, fairness and accountability in data-driven systems?
- Is your data infrastructure and governance resilient for increasing data volumes and emerging technologies?
- What actions are you taking to overcome perceived barriers preventing seamless data sharing and collaboration across government agencies, local authorities and public services?
- How can we leverage data to target resources, reduce inequalities and improve outcomes for our communities?