In our Workshop for People Who Plan on April 21, we talked about what questions you are trying to answer with your data. We also talked about how important it is to be sure that the data you have are the right data to help you answer that particular question, also known as “fit for purpose.”
The questions you shared that you’re often trying to answer are:
What are we doing?
How much are we doing?
How well are we doing what we do?
Who is doing what?
Who is doing how much?
Who is doing how well?
How do we compare to others?
Is what we’re doing achieving the outcomes we intended?
Why is… (something happening, or not; something increasing or decreasing, etc.)?
Who is missing / who are we leaving out?
What groups are most advantaged or disadvantaged by…?
As you read the list above, think about the data you regularly track; think about the data that you report in your Program Review or elsewhere. Does that data help you answer some or all of these questions? Can you quickly identify where you may have gaps?
Now that departments have completed their draft FY 2024 Program Review pages, we will be taking our next important steps to improve how we manage our organizational performance with data. More information, resources, learning opportunities, and support are coming soon.
Speaking of data (bonus content):
At yesterday’s Board Business Meeting the results of the 2022 Survey of Residents was presented; if you haven’t reviewed all of the data and information available there, check it out at Item I-2 in the Board Packet. What questions can this data help you answer about your programs and services?
