Our data strategy was developed in three phases.
- Discover
In this stage, we completed a current state data maturity assessment across existing capability and explored ambitions towards our future desired state and use cases. This provided us with an understanding of where we are today and how data can enable our future role as a regulator. - Define
In this stage, we defined the key components of the strategy, identified the initiatives and outlined the required capabilities to deliver the vision. This ensured that the capabilities aligned to the vision and objectives for data to drive real value for the ICO and its stakeholders in a rapidly evolving environment. This work included a gap analysis between the current and future state, identification of business needs and definition of the pillars of our foundational capabilities along with initial high priority use cases (we called these “lighthouse projects”). - Plan
The final stage focused on building an actionable plan to implement the data strategy and deliver the required capabilities and value. As with all long-term planning activities, this set the broad approach while leaving sufficient flexibility to adjust activities based on changing priorities, external impacts and acquired learning.
Delivery team and governance
The ICO developed the data strategy with Oakland Group, an established data strategy, engineering, governance and analytics consultancy, following a competitive tender. The work was led by the ICO’s Digital, Data & Technology (DDaT) team, supported by Transformation and Delivery (T&D) and aided by a programme steering group made up of people across the organisation. We took particular guidance from the ICO’s Data Analyst Network, a grassroots organisation of people working in data roles or with a keen interest in the use of data. We also took input from the ICO’s Executive Team and Management Board.