Date of Award

12-7-2023

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Computer Science

First Advisor

John Talburt

Abstract

Government data, whether in physical or digital form, has been collected for as far as memory can take us. However, government entities today are grappling with complex heterogeneous data systems. The transformation in data collection and management was profound in 2018 due to the enactment of the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act. This legislation heightened the emphasis on curating, analyzing, and utilizing data to enhance decision-making, mandating federal agencies to appoint a Chief Data Officer (CDO) responsible for orchestrating the strategic use of data within the organization. While the overarching goal of a government CDO is to strategically harness an organization's data as a valuable asset to inform decision-making, drive innovation, and enhance overall government operations, the specific duties and responsibilities associated with this role have remained somewhat ambiguous. The research conducted here employed an analysis of publicly available data and survey methodologies. It involved surveying Federal Chief Data Officers to analyze and decipher the functions of a CDO within the government, the attributes defining a government CDO, the structure of a government CDO's office, and the obligations associated with the role. The outcomes of this research were then applied to the existing CDO Cubic Framework to understand key roles that could apply to government CDOs. This research not only corroborated but also underscored the significance of the CDO role within government organizations. The research findings aim to address a gap in scholarly research regarding the responsibilities and characteristics of CDOs in government roles. Moreover, they offer valuable insights to enhance the effectiveness of the CDO role amidst the increasingly complex data landscape of government operations.

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