Big Apple polishes data operations
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New York City’s Office of Technology and Innovation will train staff to leverage data to inform decision-making and enhance city services and programs.
New York City’s recently formed Office of Technology and Innovation will optimize how the city uses data to inform decision-making and enhance government operations, according to its 2022 Strategic Plan, released in October.
OTI was created in January by consolidating most of the city’s technology departments into a single organization and is led by Chief Technology Officer Matthew Fraser.
According to the plan, one of OTI’s priorities is to leverage integrated city data to track government performance in real-time and advance data-driven operations. The office will establish data governance standards, enhance data-sharing infrastructure and provide analytic tools and skills to support a citywide data-driven management process.
As part of the data strategy, the NYCStat initiative will help agencies develop analytical management capabilities and consolidate performance metrics for city leadership and public engagement. The program has three deliverables:
- Self-service tools and models that feature real-time data with “meaningful drill-downs.”
- A data literacy program to help workers better understand data systems, tools, analytics models and business skills and outcomes.
- A data visualization community of practice that will establish design principles that focus on usability, accuracy, timeliness and data storytelling.
The NYCData initiative aims to improve data sharing, organization and analysis across agencies through a data governance program. It also plans to modernize the city’s data infrastructure with the cloud-based NextGen Data Platform and develop predictive decision support capabilities.
“The City’s ability to provide quality services hinges on quickly bringing together different data sources to turn data into insight,” the strategy said.
Other priorities for OTI include providing affordable broadband and 5G access to all residents, improving government digital services delivery, making the city a world-leading hub for inclusive and innovative technology and fortifying and consolidating the city’s IT infrastructure through procurement efficiencies, workforce management, Next Generation 911 and cybersecurity advancements.