VIDEO | US Space Force CDO: Cultural Change Is the Biggest Challenge for CDOs

(US and Canada) Mark Brady, Chief Data Officer of the US Space Force, speaks with John Filipek, Senior Manager of Public Sector Inside Federal Sales, SHI, in a video interview about his role as the first CDO at the Space Force, organizational change management, and data literacy.

Brady’s interest in space data began when he joined the Air Force Space Command in 2018. He is currently responsible for policy and data throughout the Space Force.

Considering why some organizations hesitate to adopt organizational change management and data literacy, he says that most organizations know they need data to succeed but need to know how. The same is true for data literacy. Brady mentions the Next Generation Data Management program at the Space Force, which was introduced to address these issues.

When asked how he garnered support from the leadership, Brady says that Major General Kimberly A. Crider, the first CDO for the Department of Air Force, started the Space Force data program. There was strong support for data management from the beginning, he notes.

According to Brady, data literacy will help the organization achieve more accurate and powerful analyses. He explains that two organizations can have the same data, but how they use their data can lead them to two different levels of capabilities. He adds that data literacy can also help develop more transparent data systems.

Sharing his approach to measuring success, Brady says it is about broader participation in using and managing the data across the organization. Next, he notes the biggest challenge to accelerating innovation is cultural change.

Concluding, Brady highlights a significant change brought about by COVID-19 — teleworking. He says that the ability to telework brings efficiency because people spend more time being productive and less time commuting, and it leverages talent across geographies.

CDO Magazine appreciates Mark Brady for sharing his insights and data success stories with our global community.