Governments Embracing Data Analytics Improve Operational Efficiency

Understanding past events is the goal of diagnostic analytics. We look to this tool to help us understand the “why” something happened and identify trends. Tools used to obtain this information include data mining and drilling down.

As an example, looking at the demographics of an area to look for trends (increases in rentals vs. home ownership, mean income data, or unemployment rates and how this data relates to crime in the area.

Prescriptive analytics works in the present. Using available data, this tool offers the best recommendations at any given time and situation. Prescriptive analytics happens as the event occurs.

Much like it sounds, the goal of predictive analytics is to forecast the future. This tool primarily relies on statistics, modeling, and machine learning. Predictive analytics looks for patterns and predicts the outcome of particular incidents. Most use a scoring system to forecast an event’s likelihood.

An example of a real world application is when police departments use past and present crime data to decide where to deploy police.

This sophisticated type of analytic relies on many intelligent technologies to form conclusions. Artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms process information and derive conclusions from the data. This method also works to make cognitive applications smarter by mirroring human thinking.

As an example, in the case of human trafficking – taking information from social media, citizens reports, highway surveillance systems, local/national/international law enforcement records to capture information on individuals or a group.

There are very few decisions made today that aren’t based on a collection of data. When government agencies embrace data analytics as a critical component of their programs, they can accomplish their goals and missions more quickly.

Agencies empowered to make better informed decisions have the data to back up their thinking.

We live in a data-driven culture. To keep up with current demands, agencies must adopt a focused approach to data analytics.

When data is too complicated to access, it simply won’t be used. On the contrary, when systems are user friendly and intuitive employees are more likely to benefit from more comprehensive data gathering.

When the tools work, users are eager to input information which improves outcomes. These tools make their jobs easier, less complex, and allow them to work more efficiently.

Data provides a clearer view of what is and isn’t going well. Once identified, data analysts can help tackle each problem one by one using data to improve any process. The benefits of data analytics are limitless.

Gathering data and analyzing it can bring some amazing insights. Using these insights can help departments improve organizational outcomes, driving process improvements, helping organizations meet their goals, and enhancing efficiency.

Read how IDEA Analytics used cutting-edge data analytics to improve department efficiency.

• Fayetteville, NC – Case Study

• Orlando City Police Department Crime Center

• West Memphis, AR – Case Study

When adopting a data analytics program, one can expect challenges. Even the most robust, analytically competent organizations need to start by addressing barriers to their success. Here are just some of the challenges that may arise.

1. Balancing between the need for data protection and data use.
2. Finding skilled analytical talent can be difficult.
3. Analytics hasn’t been integrated into decision-making processes and is therefore underutilized.
4. Establishing a data culture takes time and commitment from the top-down.
5. Data collected from multiple sources and departments offer many opportunities for communication breakdown and human error.
6. Knowing what to analyze, how to do it, and which tool to use requires extensive training.
7. Budgets are tight, and quality data programs can be costly.
8. Employees may be resistant to new methods and systems.

By tackling these minor roadblocks one by one you will be well on your way to a data-driven future.

Data analytics is moving to the forefront of all government organizations. With this movement, we see the emergence of several trends making data more accessible to all users.

• Data Democratization – serving to make analyzing information more accessible for everyone. It will be easier for employees to analyze data on their own in the future. Eventually, users will simply drag and drop automation blocks into an interface and gain insights instantly. This will save time and free up data analysts to work on high-value projects.
• Data Integration – improvements in data integration are moving quickly. In the past, data lived inside analytical software and only analysts could access the information. Data will become more accessible in programs that organizations already use. There will be faster access to information without switching between programs and interfaces. Data attainment will continue to grow.
• User-Friendly Applications – the introduction of easy-to-use platforms will increase ease of use. A single click will allow users to navigate from screen to screen and move quickly from data to insights with little effort.

Every day, government agencies are producing copious amounts of data. When data experts are involved as valued members of the team, they are empowered to take that data and make sense of it. Once synthesized, the information is put directly into the hands of the decision-makers helping to inform organizational growth and innovation. The use of data analytics increases organizational performance and productivity.

There’s no getting around the fact that data is playing a bigger role in all government organizations. The benefits of data analytics cannot be ignored. Data analysis has the potential to transform your organization. Don’t get left behind. Partner with IDEA today.