The assessment is a model that looks at five key dimensions of data capacity, measured against three stages of data maturity.

The Five Dimensions of Data Capacity:

• Data Governance: The system, structure, principles, laws, policies, and roles that guide the use and protection of data to inform effective governance.

• Organizational Culture: The extent to which your government or organization values and integrates data use, driven by leadership commitment, staff training, and communication.

• People & Partners: The internal human resources (roles, responsibilities, expertise) and external partnerships that support data capacity.

• Data Use: Your ability to collect, process, analyze, interpret, and report on data to inform decisions and measure progress.

• Tools/IT Systems: The technology and systems used to collect, store, analyze, share, and secure data, including considerations for integration, privacy, security, and data standards.

Stages of Data Maturity:

• Beginning: Minimal to low data capacity, with readiness to grow and plans being developed.

• Developing: Medium data capacity, with a functioning, evolving framework and initial efforts yielding results.

• Maturing: High data capacity with a tested, implemented framework, shifting focus to maintenance and continuous improvement.

Completing the assessment can help your Nation or organization to:

• Establish a Clear Baseline: Understand and communicate where you are on your data journey using an evidence-based tool.

• Identify Needs & Priorities: Surface specific data needs and priorities to plan strategic and coordinated data initiatives or define projects to address them.

• Measure Progress: Compare your journey with others and track your progress over time.

• Inform Planning: The results support identifying priorities for data capacity development. Additional functionality is being developed to support users in turning assessment results into a comprehensive data strategy or specific work plans.

The assessment can be completed online through the "Build Your Own Data Centre" platform.

The Data Capacity Needs Assessment is a self-assessment, meaning you, and/or staff within your government or organization will fill it out. 

It can be completed from an individual level, a Departmental level, and/or an organizational level. Users are asked to reflect on and assign a rating for the current state of data maturity across each of the five dimensions of data capacity.

One person can complete it for a team or organization, usually based on interviews or discussions with their co-workers, or multiple people from an organization can fill it out, providing an understanding of different data capacities across teams, while also aggregating total results.

The assessment is generated in-the-moment, and results provided immediately. The assessment can be taken again and again, providing ongoing measurement of change in building data capacity.

Once the initial assessment is complete, users can take the results and review suggested actions for capacity development in areas of priority. This also unlocks a set of supporting tools, templates, and guidance that the BC RIGC has developed in each area. Free advisory support is also available from the BC RIGC staff to help you translate your needs assessment into an action plan, and apply available tools to drive results.

The BC RIGC is currently testing and adapting the platform and seeking to partner with First Nations interested in testing its functionality. 

For Nations that complete the Data Capacity Needs Assessment Tool, the BC RIGC can provide up to three free seats for the FNIGC's Fundamentals of OCAP® training.