Strengthening data competency and governance

Improving data expertise and management is a pillar of the Provincial Data Plan (PDF, 3.4 MB). Learn about the new data governance model being used by the Province.

On this page

• Strengthening data in government
• Key actions
• Project example: A new data governance model
• Contact us

Strengthening data in government

To make progress on strategic data initiatives, we need to strengthen our foundation. Our ability to solve problems collaboratively and deliver seamless service experiences to people in B.C. will be streamlined through:

• More consistent data management practices
• Clarifying roles and responsibilities
• Increasing opportunities to use common data technology
• Improving our ability to attract and retain data professionals with key skillsets

The Provincial Data Plan will strengthen our foundation by:

• Creating cross-government executive support for vital data initiatives
• Bringing stability to how we manage data as the important asset it is
• Getting the right data expertise on board

Key actions

• Establish two assistant deputy minister (ADM) committees to advance data management and evidence-based decision making 
• Release data policies to drive consistent data management practices across government 
• Deliver data standards and guidelines to improve data collection, use, sharing, and security 
• Develop data-focused job profiles and a talent management plan 
• Create reskilling and training curricula to increase data competency

Project example: A new data governance model

Our ability to deliver on government commitments relies on alignment and sharing of data across ministries. Two examples of mandates that require substantial cross-government coordination and data sharing to be successful are:

• Anti-Racism Data Act 
• Declaration Act Action Plan

A new governance model has been introduced to ensure this coordination across government. This work will be led by ADMs and overseen by the Deputy Minister Committee on Digital and Data.

The ADM committees are:

• Evidence-Based Decision Making: Prioritizing and coordinating a whole-of-government approach to research and statistics to inform important policy and program decisions
• Data Management: Prioritizing and coordinating a whole-of-government approach to the collection, sharing, and use of data

The committees focus on identifying:

• Common high priorities
• Immediate actions

Each ADM committee will be supported by executive director-led working groups. The working groups include subject matter experts to advance priority data initiatives. This model will increase alignment of data initiatives across government and strengthen executive support for vital data-related activities.

Contact us

Open a service ticket for help with data policies, standards and guidelines. We can also provide guidance on data management and evidence-based decision making in your area.