News Feature | December 19, 2016

Study: Chief Data Officers Make Difference For Federal Agencies

Christine Kern

By Christine Kern, contributing writer

6 Percent Of Data Centers Account For 52 Percent Of The Market

Eighty-eight percent of agencies with a CDO say they have a positive impact.

Chief Data Officers (CDOs) are emerging as Big Data heroes for federal agencies according to MeriTalk research. According to the report Calling the Plays: The Evolving Role of the CDO and Federal Big Data, 88 percent of agencies currently employing a CDO see a positive impact and 93 percent of agencies without A CDO think having one would positively impact their agency. The report, underwritten by ViON Corporation, further found 69 percent of Federal agencies with a CDO are more likely to successfully manage Big Data than those without (40 percent).

As agencies are increasingly inundated with structured and unstructured data, the pressure is on to find new ways to manage and leverage that information, leading to the rise of the both the CDO and Chief Data Scientist. And while 92 percent of agencies use Big Data in some form, 58 percent of feds say their agency’s data management strategy earns a C or below for its ability to convert data into actionable intelligence, govern data, or centralize data storage.

“It’s clear agencies are inundated with data on a daily basis — what they do with that data is critical though,” says Rodney Hite, director, Big Data and analytics solutions, ViON. “Implementing a Chief Data Officer ensures your agency is focusing the right amount on mission-critical data management goals while storing and protecting data throughout the process. Regardless of whether an agency has one or not, the majority — 57 percent — believes the CDO will be the hero of Big Data and analytics.”

Researchers polled 150 Federal IT managers to examine the evolving role of the CDO and to assess the scope of the impact these data leaders are having on Federal data management. They found those agencies that have a CDO have a better grasp on leveraging data in cyber security analytics, strategic decision making, and mission intelligence. Further findings include:

  • 92 percent of agencies with CDOS say the CDO and CIO have a productive working relationship that helps their agency keep pace with the constantly changing realm of Big Data and analytics
  • 71 percent say the CDO has assumed some of the CIO’s responsibilities to balance the workload

The study also revealed support teams for CDOs are lagging, with just 25 percent of agencies with CDOs also having a Deputy Chief Data Officer, 29 percent a Chief Analytics Officer, and 25 percent a Chief Data Scientist. Plans for adding staff is not on the radar for most agencies, either.

“Agencies need these data trailblazers as the volume of structured and unstructured data continues to explode,” says Steve O’Keeffe, founder, MeriTalk. “Once you cut through the noise, properly managing data can be the key to agency success in other arenas, from cyber security to customer experience. Agencies are in dire need of a new data playbook.”