Capacity: the staff, relationships, and resources that enable a data sharing effort to operate
Capacity is made up of the human, relational, and material resources that enable a data sharing effort to operate governance, execute legal agreements and use data to drive action. Building shared capacity requires effective leadership and planning, as well as sustained commitment on the part of data partners. It is an evolving and iterative process, as each successful proof of concept can help you to advocate for more resources. Capacity is all about the right mix of the people to achieve lasting impact. The staff of a data sharing effort are the “doers” who carry out daily operations. This team should include diverse competencies to support both the relational and technical aspects of data sharing. The number and configuration of staff will vary widely, depending on the structure, purpose, and management model of an effort.
Capacity is one of five components of quality for integrated data systems and the foundation for success. For more on other components of quality, check out AISP’s Quality Framework for IDS.
Featured Resources
AISP offers a range of guidance and tools related to capacity for data sharing. Check out the resources below to learn more.
Report: Building + Sustaining State Data Integration Efforts: Legislation, Funding, and Strategies
Presentation Slides: IDS HR: Onboarding, culture building, & data literacy
Examples from Work in Action: Building Data Capacity in Baltimore and Mecklenburg County
Survey brief: Capacity
The
fourth in AISP’s network survey series, this brief explores how sites across our national network approach this task and includes findings and key examples on staffing models and their unique benefits and challenges, strategies for building capacity and demand for data, data sharing leadership, and budgets & funding sources for data sharing efforts.
Explore the brief here
Call and Webinar Recordings
Featured network call recording: November 14, 2024
In this session, colleagues from the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) delve into their new Field Guide for Financing Integrated Data Systems and Evaluation in the Public Sector. NAPA’s Kathy Stack and Pari Sabety provide an overview of the guide, including examples from many states in the AISP Network. During the second half of the call, Robert McGough, Arkansas’ Chief Data Officer, shared his experience using cost allocation to charge direct and indirect data integration and evaluation costs to federal programs—a deep dive for the evaluation and finance nerds.
Stay tuned for more call and webinar recordings on capacity by signing up for AISP’s monthly newsletter, here.
Additional partner resources
Strengthening Analytics in Government Agencies: A Toolkit for Sustainable Data Use (TANF Data Collaborative)
Resources for Hiring (Digital Government Hub)
A Field Guide for Financing Integrated Data Systems And Evaluation in the Public Sector (NAPA)
Developing and Costing a State Longitudinal Data System Organization (EdSystems)