The Data Literacy Working Group that reports to B.C.’s Data Council has been tasked with developing a learning program to support data skills development in the BC Public Service. Our vision is to curate and develop learning opportunities and resources that centre on the use of data in decision making and support service delivery. The expected outcome is that employees at all levels have the skills they need to understand, manage and communicate data as meaningful information and actionable insights. 

This survey is part of a wider research effort to inform the design of the data literacy curriculum. It is meant to solicit input on the training needs and data challenges that are faced in different Ministries. Please do not include any personally identifiable information about yourself or anyone else in your answers.

Your IDIR information and survey responses are being collected for the purpose of evaluating the current state of data literacy within the BC Government. It is being collected under section 26(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. For questions about the collection, use of disclosure of this information, please contact:

       Karla Wilson
       Project Director, Digital Platforms and Data Division
       563 Superior St, Victoria BC


1. Please provide the name of your organization.


2. What is your current role?

o Executive (Deputy Minister, Assistant Deputy Minister, Executive Director)
o Business user (Director, Manager, policy professional, etc.)
o Data professional (data scientist, data analyst, data architect, etc.)

3. If applicable, what is one key data challenge that you face in your role? 






4. What additional data skills and knowledge do you need to improve your use of data in decision making and service delivery?

o Assessing and improving the quality of data
o Communicating data insights effectively
o Creating and using data visualisations
o Data policy and legislation
o Data privacy and security
o Finding data to help me in my work
o Including data considerations in contracts and agreements
o Publishing real time data
o Releasing open data
o Requesting data held by another agency
o Research methodologies
o Sharing data outside my organization
o Simple advice on what data is and how it applies to my work
o Understanding data governance rules
o Using data to improve decisions and service delivery
o Understanding of corporate data management processes
o Other (please specify)


5. In your experience, what would help foster a strong commitment to using data to inform decisions in your organization?







6. What data-related topics are your interested in learning?

o Artificial intelligence (i.e. developing computer programs to perform tasks that usually require human intelligence)
o Big data (i.e. the massive amount of structured and unstructured data generated around the world that is too large, complex or varied for traditional processing software)
o Computer programming/coding (i.e. writing instructions that a computer can understand)
o Data sharing (i.e. exchange of data between various organizations, people and technologies)
o Data ethics and security (i.e. making, using and managing data to maintain public trust and prevent any potential damage to individuals)
o Machine learning (i.e. the application of artificial intelligence for developing computer programs that continuously learn from data)
o Predictive analytics (i.e. a form of advanced analytics which examines data to determine the best course of action for a specific situation)
o Statistics (i.e. the practice of collecting and analyzing numerical data in large quantities)
o Other (please specify)

7. What data tools and resources are available in your organization?





8. What method of learning would best meet your needs?

o Self-paced eLearning
o Video tutorials
o Webinars
o One-day workshop
o Weeklong workshop
o Online tools and resources
o A classroom environment / training course
o A collaborative online community
o Mentoring
o University courses and degrees
o All of the above

9. Any other comments or suggestions?




DATA LITERACY PROGRAM: NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY
2019




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