Successful agencies have clear objectives.
“They know exactly what they want to get done. They just don’t know how to get there,” said Brandon Gilmore, Federal Marketing Manager at Alteryx. Gilmore had a few tips for agencies that know what they want to accomplish but are working on their roadmap and overall strategy for an upcoming transformation.
Good Data Culture
One thing successful agencies do is gather the resources they need to make data-driven decisions. “To [be] able to do that in a fast and efficient manner, you have to have some form of a data culture established,” said Gilmore. As a starting point, he recommended becoming familiar with the Federal Data Strategy, which is intended to guide agencies in using data for mission, service and public good through ethical governance, conscious design and learning culture.
Beyond that, good data culture includes data integration — breaking down data silos and bringing data together so the agency can better fulfill its mission, as well as communicate better, internally and externally. Alteryx helps agencies achieve that integration.
“We empower agencies to harness their full potential and unlock their data, be able to see their data, to help them make better decisions at the end of the day,” said Gilmore. “Alteryx is here to help data governance and effective reporting. All of this is crucial for agencies.”
Gilmore believes that artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) will improve with time and offer agencies greater capabilities, but that progress relies on better data management and integration.
Position Talent for Success
Many agencies deal with a talent shortage, which is why it’s so important to invest in existing talent. You want to keep the people you have and allow them to develop as professionals.
Data literacy should be a professional development priority. Gilmore said that includes “upscaling your workforce and getting them involved with understanding what they’re looking at.” Employees can then better understand the data-based decisions that serve the agency’s mission.
Automating workflows is also key in helping organizations, and the individuals who serve them, grow, he said.
“When you automate tasks, not only does it save you time, it saves you money,” he said. “It frees up your analysts to focus on more important things.”
Broaden Your Tool Set
Successful agencies can come online quickly with new technology, Gilmore said.
When agencies adopt and leverage new tech, they should not shy away from using it in tandem with other solutions and tools. The solutions Alteryx offers are designed to help agencies adhere to compliance requirements, even when their tool set is piecemeal, he said.
Using multiple compatible tools can strengthen an agency’s overall capability, especially when it comes to data. Technology stacking is “the wave of the future,” Gilmore said.
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