(US and Canada) Dessa Gypalo, Chief Data Officer, Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT), speaks with Jeff Strane, Director of Government Strategy, SHI International Corp., in a video interview about the key components of an organization’s data strategy and roadmap, the challenges of implementation, focus areas, and the future of data management.

According to Gypalo, the DOIT data strategy and roadmap embrace four key components: 

• Data literacy.

• Standardized analytics platforms and technologies. 

• A culture of collaboration and iteration.

• Automation and operational excellence.

Regarding obstacles to implementing the data strategy, she mentions:

• Hiring. Government hiring practices tend to be long and slow.

• Resources. There is a need to be nimble and good stewards of taxpayer money.

• Scale. There are over 60 agencies, boards, and commissions throughout Illinois.

• Varying levels of data maturity. While some agencies are leveraging advanced predictive analytics tools, others are just starting.

Gypalo mentions that her goal is to get everybody “dancing to the same beat” on the data journey. Discussing projects in the state of Illinois and their impact on constituents’ lives, she highlights five focus areas: 

• Architecture and governance: Maximizing interoperability via service-oriented architecture and creation of roadmaps.

• Service management: Creating best practices for administering and maintaining technology.

• Standardization and modernization: Technologies and the back end.

• Data management.

• Information security: Constantly modernizing, adapting, and leveraging the security team’s best practices. 

Regarding the future of data and tech adoption, Gypalo says she expects:

• A more significant push for data governance and data management. 

• More data leadership at the state and local levels within the government.

• More data products focused on service delivery.

• More collaboration for data sharing and creating data products within the state.

At the personal level,  Gypalo notes that she expects a balance between data privacy and using data to create a more equitable society. She wants to ensure that services are being provided in an equitable manner using a data-informed approach. In conclusion, Gypalo says she also expects more focus on data ethics in the future.

CDO Magazine appreciates Dessa Gypalo for sharing her insights and data success stories with our global community.

See more from Dessa Gypalo

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