# How to use this Playbook?
Step 1: Collect information
Considerations prior to carrying out the Self-Assessment
It is recommended to collect documents and resources for consultation and justification, such as laws, regulations, decrees, guidelines, and any other institutional resource related to innovation, technology, data, transparency and access to information, privacy and personal data protection, among others.
To carry out the self-assessment, we recommend establishing a team (with representatives from the public sector, civil society and the private sector) in charge of carrying out and validating the exercise.
In this playbook, the concept of “data” includes all data generated and managed by the government. And it recognizes those generated by companies, civil society organizations, academic institutions and other actors that can serve as input for the public interest.
Some of the best practices included in this playbook are cases related to open data or digital government strategies, policies or initiatives that are mentioned only as a reference to adapt them to the corresponding context.
It is important to note that there are no linear processes for building a data strategy, and therefore there are no specific paths of action. On the contrary, the recognition of strategic actions is encouraged to address areas of opportunity, ensure sustainability and promote economic and social development.
Step 2: Assess your organization's data maturity level
It’s important to know the level of digital and data maturity of the organization to establish a starting point and the actions to take towards building a data strategy. This evaluation simply seeks to provide public organizations with benchmarks in the different dimensions that make up a digital transformation process.
2.1 Specific objectives to be evaluated
A. Analyze the current state of readiness of governments and data users in a country.
B. Support governments to plan specific actions for high-impact and sustainable data strategies.
C. Help identify and link the necessary key actors within and outside government who will take a role or responsibility in the strategy.
D. Anticipate which areas will require major changes or actions for future data initiatives.
2.2 How to take the Self-Assessment
The dimensions are ordered according to their relevance, so it is recommended to start with the "Leadership" dimension, once the condition has been read, assess whether the national or local government complies or does not comply with each of the maturity levels. Indicate the corresponding answer in the last column.
See example below, if the government meets a medium maturity level, it should select Medium in the Answer column:
| Condition | Null | Low | Medium | High | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 Is there a high-level political commitment to build a comprehensive data strategy? | Not Available | Public statements by the Head of the Executive Power or by a Minister or a Secretary | There is commitment in the development of a data strategy and/or an international public commitment with a multilateral organization | There is a Presidential Decree or a Law that provides institutional support | Medium |
Step 3: Create a roadmap
Once the self-diagnosis is finished, we recommend developing a Roadmap with the specific actions to be implemented in the short, medium and long term, following the steps below:
1. Review the results by dimension, taking into account the answers selected.
For example, if the majority of responses to a dimension are at a Null or Low level, it would be considered a priority dimension to be addressed in the short term. These dimensions would be the first to be addressed in the Roadmap.
2. Review the results by condition.
Beneath each condition are specific recommendations for raising the maturity level to Medium.
The process to achieve a comprehensive data strategy has many scenarios and is highly dependent on the conditions and actors involved in the strategy. Therefore, each recommendation must be adjusted to the conditions and context of each government to become a viable and measurable action.
3. Write the actions of the Roadmap specifying the level of maturity found, the level to which you want to reach, the action to be taken, the people responsible and the implementation time.
The following scheme is proposed as an example:
| Dimension | Condition | Current maturity level | Action to be implemented | Responsible stakeholders | Responsible for execution | Budget required (Yes / No) | Implementation time (Short, Medium, Long Term) | Estimated date of implementation (month year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leadership | 1.2 Is there a person with a defined role who leads the comprehensive data strategy and who has transversal influence in government institutions? | Low | Appoint and define the powers of a National Data Leader within the Office of the Presidency. | Innovation Directorate, Legal Department of the Executive, etc. | Director of Innovation | No | Short | December 2022 |