High-level roadmap

To deliver on the Data Strategy described in the document, there are a number of activities and/ or initiatives that must be undertaken as identified in the pillars. All parts of the organization, and Defence Team members, are expected to support the activities and initiatives as required. The table below describes the activities and initiatives required to deliver the Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF) data strategy. The table includes:

• Activity / Initiative: A brief description of the activity or initiative;
• Sponsor: The sponsor accountable for the activity / initiative; and
• Level of Effort (LOE): An estimated, relative level of effort to complete the activity / initiative. It may be low, medium, or high.

The roadmap provides a description of what needs to be delivered, but does not address how these initiatives will be delivered. A more detailed implementation plan that identifies the scope, approach, sequencing, dependencies, and high-level estimates of the resources required for these initiatives will be developed to support this roadmap; however, the timelines will be dependent on the funding and resources allocated to delivering the initiatives. The implementation plan will also identify the expectations for L1 participation in the initiatives.

At this time, the highest priority activities in the roadmap are:

• Implement data governance
• Implement data quality approach
• Implement data policies and
• Define data literacy

Performance indicators will be identified to track benefits of implementing the data strategy, and progress will be tracked and reported to senior management committees. Additionally, as progress is made, new opportunities to leverage data may arise, and new data-related initiatives may be launched.

Implementation Considerations

The following are critical success factors that impact the ability to implement the roadmap:

• Leadership sponsorship: Changing the DND/CAF culture to one that uses data routinely requires constant and consistent reinforcement of key messages to all Defence Team members. It also requires the will and desire to invest in the capabilities. Both of these require the Defence Team leaders to engage with, and prioritize, data-related initiatives
• Readiness to accept change: Defence Team members must be ready and willing to apply new data management practices, acquire new data literacy skills, and use data in new ways
• Willingness and ability to commit resources: As with any transformation, the success depends on the ability of the organization to commit people and money. The transformation requires personnel who understand data, are capable of analyzing and presenting data, and who understand the technical challenges of working with data. With many competing demands for money and resources, DND/CAF’s pace of change will be reflective of the resources committed and when they are committed
• Implementation plan design: Initiatives in the implementation plan will have to be designed such that they accommodate the varying needs of DND/CAF, providing adequate support to those who need it while not imposing limitations on those who are investigating more complex uses of data.