The Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 (Evidence Act) established a framework to leverage data as a strategic asset of the US federal government to support federal agencies’ collection, management, and use of data to guide effective policy decisions. In the five years since the passage of the Evidence Act, agencies across the federal enterprise have tasked chief data officers, or CDOs, to develop data strategies, open data plans, and data inventories, along with various other responsibilities.
The Data Foundation’s fifth annual survey of federal chief data officers, conducted in collaboration with Deloitte, includes department-, agency-, and bureau-level chief data officers and statistical officials, and collects information on a wide range of topics. The 2024 CDO Survey reveals a maturing CDO function across the federal government, with evolving priorities and confidence in the CDO roles, alongside growing concern with limited capacity and a lack of guidance.
As agencies increasingly rely on data-driven decision-making to benefit the American people and businesses, the strategic vision and leadership of CDOs will be instrumental in navigating complex challenges, fostering innovation, and ensuring responsible data use. By addressing the persistent barriers identified in the 2024 Federal CDO Survey and identifying the opportunities for success, the federal government can continue to better use data to become more efficient, more transparent, and improve outcomes.