The Office of the Chief Data Officer (OCDO) is responsible for managing and improving the Department's ability to leverage data as a strategic asset. The OCDO is led by the Department's Chief Data Officer (CDO), whose authority is partially set forth in the OPEN Government Data Act. The CDO is charged with carrying out the responsibilities under 44 U.S.C. § 3520. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to, lifecycle data management across the Department, developing and enforcing the Department's data strategy and governance policies. The OCDO has oversight over the Department's information collections approval and associated OMB clearance process. It is responsible for developing and enforcing the Department's open data plan, including management of a centralized comprehensive data inventory accounting for all data assets across the Department. The CDO submits annual compliance reports to Congress on agency compliance with the OPEN Government Data Act. The OCDO is also responsible for developing and maintaining a technological and analytical infrastructure that is responsive to the Department's strategic data needs, exploiting traditional and emerging analytical methods to improve decision making, optimize outcomes, and create efficiencies.
The OCDO serves several coordinating functions across the Department, federal government, and public and private sectors. The CDO chairs the Department Data Governance Board (DGB), gathering input from across the Department to inform policy and process decisions about the development and use of the Department's data assets. The CDO also serves as the Department liaison to other agencies and OMB on the best way to use existing agency data for statistical purposes. The CDO coordinates with the Department's Chief Information Officer (CIO) to improve infrastructure and reduce barriers that inhibit data asset accessibility and on implementing and enforcing applicable policies and procedures with respect to records management. The CDO engages agency employees, the public, and contractors in using public data assets and encourages collaborative approaches on improving data use. The CDO also supports the Department's Performance Improvement Officer and Evaluation Officer in obtaining and using data to carry out their respective missions.
To drive these functions, the OCDO is comprised of three divisions, collectively developing, supporting, and enforcing the Department's data strategy, data governance, and strategic use of data assets.
Governance and Strategy Division:
This division is responsible for developing and enforcing the Department's data strategy and governance policies. It provides oversight and strategic review of the Department's information collections and clearance processes. The head of this division serves as the DGB's program manager and represents the CDO, as needed, on the Department's Planning and Investment Review Working Group (PIRWG). Responsibilities are supported through two formal work streams:
Governance and Policy: Supports development and execution of OCDO and Department policies on lifecycle data management, data resources, data protection, data quality, access, and dissemination; serves as OCDO liaison for government and non-governmental requests for data access; prioritizes
- Governance and Policy: Supports development and execution of OCDO and Department policies on lifecycle data management, data resources, data protection, data quality, access, and dissemination; serves as OCDO liaison for government and non-governmental requests for data access; prioritizes data asset inventory as in accordance with Department's open data plan; evaluates data for value, risk, and quality, and enforces agency policies under the Information Quality Act; represents OCDO in Disclosure Review Board (DRB) proceedings; and coordinates with the Department's Senior Agency Official for Privacy to review and approve systems of records notices, computer matching agreements, and other memoranda of understanding related to data access and disclosure.
- Strategic Collections and Clearance: Serves as the Department's primary Paperwork Reduction Act unit, liaising with OMB to facilitate the expeditious processing of Information Collection Clearance requests; coordinates the delivery of technical assistance on the information collection process for all Department data stewards; ensures agency compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act and monitors the Department's collection burden with regular reporting; and identifies overlapping, outdated, or unnecessary collections, and helps adjudicate decisions that maximizes strategic information and minimizes burden.
Analytics and Infrastructure Division:
This division is responsible for developing and maintaining a technological and analytical infrastructure to be responsive to the strategic data needs of the Department's staff. It provides analytic support and data expertise to the Assistant Secretary and POCs, supporting the improvement of decision making, optimization of programs for desired outcomes, and reduction of burden, improper payments, and other risks. It leads the Department's data literacy program, promotes skills development for Department data professionals, and fosters a data culture across the Department. Responsibilities are supported through two formal work streams:
- Analytics and Evaluation: Exploits cutting-edge and emerging methods, such as machine learning and artificial intelligence for program optimization, predictive analytics, and the development of other analytical products; conducts quick-turn analyses that leverage methodological techniques such as statistical modeling, quasi-experimental conditions, experimental designs, and A/B testing; developing micro- and macro-level forecasts and trends; and identifying and managing agency risk in agency programs and products, including the federal student loan portfolio, through the development of risk models, profiles, and scoring.
- Data Infrastructure and Support: Supports the maintenance and continuous improvement of technological and analytical infrastructure needed for lifecycle data management and strategic use of data; boosts operational data systems through the deployment of prescriptive models that enable and automate data-driven decisions in real time; and serves as program data experts that execute, on behalf of POCs and leadership, quick turnaround analyses requiring extraction and transformation from Department systems.
Innovation and Engagement Division:
This division is responsible for improving the Department's ability to leverage data as a strategic asset. It develops, publishes, and oversees implementation of the Department's Open Data Plan. It supports the CDO in coordinating with other agencies on the use of agency data, engaging with the public and private sector to improve data use and on obtaining and using data. It develops tactical solutions to emerging data challenges for broader agency deployment. Responsibilities are supported through two formal workstreams:
- Data Products: Develops and maintains products that describe agency data assets and facilitates their reuse and understanding; manages the comprehensive data inventory, accounting for all agency data assets, and curates that inventory to enrich and improve the usefulness of its content; promotes data sharing, making data accessible, understandable, and reusable; and develops and maintains innovative public-facing consumer information portals and products for interactively exploring data assets and illustrating insights from analysis.
- Integration and Access Management: Coordinates with other agencies, private sector organizations, and other agency offices to obtain data assets in support of the agency's mission or to provide agency data assets in support of another agency's mission; develops solutions that provide tiered access to data assets based on public need and privacy protocols; and partners with OCIO and POC Data Coordinators to identify, evaluate, and implement innovative technology solutions for improving the collection, access, and reuse of data.