San Jose's New Data Strategy Hints at Possible Tech Needs

The city of San Jose recently released its Citywide Data Strategy, outlining its general approach to advancing its data maturity, specific goals and projects — and hinting at some specific technologies and services it might find useful to obtain.

The strategy outlines a “crawl-walk-run” approach, with some specific work in mind for each phase:

• Crawl: The “Resident Impact Data Project” will identify challenges and offer “foundational insights.” This phase involves the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department as well as the Housing Department.
• Walk: The “Homelessness Data Consolidation Project” will seek to improve coordination between departments handling homelessness issues. These departments include Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services; Housing; Transportation; Police; Fire; Environmental Services; and the Library.
• Run: The city will seek to establish enterprise data systems across all departments.

While the document doesn’t specifically address procurement, it does mention several needs that overlap with existing data solutions and services on the market:

• For the Homelessness Data Consolidation Project, the city will seek to “establish a centralized system to store data” which will include standardized storage, role-based access and data engineering solutions.
• Many of the goals outlined in the document mention data standards — data management and governance solutions, therefore, might fit into San Jose’s strategy.
• The strategy outlines a need to widen the scope of municipal employees using data effectively, and specifically mentions a need for education and trainings, so services and solutions that would help to improve knowledge of data and the available tools could become valuable as the city dives into its work.
• The city will look to improve and expand on its use of data dashboards focused on its City Service Areas. San Jose has an open data portal, built with OpenGov and CKAN, with 182 data sets published as of this writing.

Chelsea Palacio, a spokesperson for the IT Department, told Industry Insider — California in an email that the city has several data tools available but is working to identify its other technology needs.

"(The city) is now forming working committees to support our data strategy," she wrote. "These committees will help guide how the city manages data and evaluates technology needs across departments. While tools like Power BI, GIS, SQL, and Tableau are already in use and taught through the city’s Data Upskilling Program, we are taking a thoughtful approach to assess what additional technologies may be needed to support future projects."

San Jose’s CIO is Khaled Tawfik, who was recognized this year as one of Government Technology’s Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers. The city data officer is Arti Tangri.