OIR works with colleagues to collect, maintain, and preserve institutional data to ensure strong data integrity and governance. OIR is charged with overseeing a strategic organization-wide data governance system to meet IMSA’s goals of data-informed reporting and decision-making. This work is still in progress and when fully implemented, the data governance system will help to create greater order, focus, accuracy, and efficiency in the collection, utilization/analysis, and storage of data as the volume and demand for data analysis grows to meet our academic and operational requirements. This increased data activity demands greater diligence in the areas of data quality, security, and privacy. A data governance system will help to create a culture of accountability, collaboration, and standardization and will allow IMSA to better and more accurately report on its successes and its value to the State of Illinois.
Data governance refers to the overall management of the availability, usability, integrity, and security of the data maintained. A comprehensive data governance system includes a governing body or committee, a defined set of procedures, and a plan to execute those procedures.
Goals/Objectives
- To provide consistency and accuracy in collecting and reporting data across all departments and systems.
- To respond to all data issues and requests for data in a timely and predictable manner.
- To facilitate in the registration process of people who participate in various IMSA activities and functions
- To manage, track, and analyze data and interactions with internal and external stakeholders over time with the goal of improving relationships with stakeholders.
Plan for Implementation
- Data Scientist – OIR hired a data scientist in 2018 who is charged with analyzing, interpreting, and extracting insights from organization-wide data in order to assist IMSA in its decision-making. The data scientist also serves as a bridge between data owners across the Academy, OIR, and Information & Technology Services (ITS) to ensure consistent collection and storage of institutional data.
- Functional Needs Assessment and Data Management System – With the help of an outside consultant, a functional needs and technical requirements assessment was completed in April of 2018.
- Implementation of Data Management System – Salesforce was selected as IMSA’s data management system. The Salesforce implementation was completed in 2019.
- Data Governance Committee (DGC) – IMSA will form a DGC that will serve as the main governing body regarding data collection, access, and use at IMSA. It will support IMSA’s mission by promoting the appropriate use of data to inform decision-making, and ensuring data quality, accountability, and timeliness.
