The proper infrastructure will determine the Federal Data Strategy’s success

There is no denying the usefulness of the federal government’s troves of data. However, agencies still need guidance on how to manage and share that data -- and that is where the Office of Management and Budget’s Federal Data Strategy comes in. Released last month, the strategy is a framework of operational principles and best practices that will help agencies to deliver on the promises of government data in the 21st century. It is promising to see the federal government adopt a strategy that formalizes principles for development, deployment  and secure sharing of data for decision making across departments and agencies. The strategy recognizes the need to put data at the heart of decision- and policy-making while providing both transparency and equitable use of data for all federal and non-federal users, such as academics, businesses and individuals. When government data is made more accessible, discoverable and usable, it has more impact. It can lead to cost savings, efficiency, fuel for business, improved civic services, informed policy and increased public participation in the democratic dialogue.