WaTech recently hosted two in-person workshops on November 4 and 7 at the 1500 Jefferson Street Building, bringing together more than 90 data leaders from 35 Washington state agencies to advance the development of a statewide enterprise data strategy.
The workshops represent a critical step in creating a unified framework to enable collaborative, person-centric, data-informed decision-making across state agencies. With a focus on strategies that strengthen inter-agency collaboration, advance statewide goals, and improve outcomes for Washingtonians, the workshops emphasized bold, actionable solutions to guide the state’s data future.
“The energy in these data strategy workshops felt like a spark igniting a shared vision for Washington’s data future,” said Irene Vidyanti, the state Chief Data Officer. “Leaders and staff across agencies are eager to build a truly connected, data-informed state, with ideas that not only improve public service but also help us attract top data talent to fuel this journey.”
A collaborative approach
Facilitated discussions were organized around four key questions designed to inspire visionary thinking and actionable outcomes:
- Bold Future to Address Urgent Challenges: What bold, transformative uses of inter-agency shared data could address the state’s most urgent challenges if resources and leadership support were unlimited?
- Resident-Focused Service Delivery and Public Impact: How can data better align with the needs and priorities of those we serve to improve service delivery and public outcomes?
- Future Workforce and Immediate Solutions: What workforce skills, capacity-building efforts, or training programs are most critical for effective data use and collaboration across agencies?
- Obstacles, Threats, and Barriers: What obstacles prevent effective data sharing or collaboration today, and what solutions could remove these barriers?
Over the course of the workshops, participants generated more than 1,100 ideas and identified 140+ strategic themes, which will serve as the foundation for the Enterprise Data Strategy.
Aiming for actionable impact
“This effort is not just about data—it’s about building a unified, collaborative, and data-informed future for Washington,” Irene said. “By fostering cross-agency solutions, aligning strategies with statewide goals, and prioritizing the needs of residents, we are creating a framework that will enable meaningful outcomes for everyone in our state.”
The strategy development is guided by five principles:
- Strengthen Cross-Agency Collaboration and Solutions: Foster data-sharing and coordinated efforts to address shared challenges.
- Actionable with Real-World Impact: Develop strategies that lead to practical, measurable outcomes.
- Inclusive Dialogue and Diverse Perspectives: Ensure all voices—agency leaders, staff, and residents—are heard and valued.
- Innovation Grounded in Feasibility and Scalability: Encourage bold thinking while ensuring solutions are realistic and adaptable.
- Strategic Alignment and Adaptability to Evolving Needs: Stay responsive to changing priorities while maintaining statewide alignment.
Looking ahead
The workshops are part of a multi-phase process to establish a comprehensive statewide data strategy by 2025. The next steps include analyzing workshop feedback to refine goal areas and priorities and continuing engagement with agency leaders to ensure the strategy aligns with the diverse needs of Washington’s residents and agencies.
By embracing collaborative innovation and focusing on actionable outcomes, the Enterprise Data Strategy aims to deliver better services, empower decision-making, and improve statewide outcomes for Washingtonians.