The CDO Function Needs to Be Professionalized to Bring More Clarity — Federal Energy Regulatory Commission CDO

(US & Canada) Kirsten Dalboe, Chief Data Officer at the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), speaks with Adita Karkera, Ph.D., Chief Data Officer for Government and Public Services at Deloitte, in a video interview about the Federal CDO council, its newly established goals, and advocating for women in the data and technology space.

Dalboe begins by stating that the Federal CDO Council is unique. Unlike other federal councils, it has a membership of 100, comprising the 24 CFO Act agencies, all federal agency CDOs, members from the Office of Management Budget, and ex-officio representatives.

Shedding light on the background of the council that came into force in January 2020, Dalboe discusses five requirements listed as responsibilities in the Evidence Act of 2019:

1. To develop government-wide best practices for data usage

2. To identify ways to improve the production of evidence and data for policy-making.

3. Encouraging data sharing

4. Public consultation and engagement with private users on the usage of government data

5. Identifying and evaluating new technology solutions for improving the collection and use of data

After becoming the Chair of the Federal CDO Council earlier this year, Dalboe established new goals and objectives in collaboration with the executives. Further, she adds that much of the crucial work has revolved around getting CDOs comfortable in the council’s role while mentoring and helping each other.

According to Dalboe, the five new goals that have become the focus areas for the Council include:

1. Strengthening and empowering the federal workforce regarding the use of data

2. Professionalizing the CDO function

3. Optimizing the business of the data lifecycle through effective storytelling to leadership, which would ensure their investment

4. Optimizing customer experience through efficient collection and use of data

5. Empowering modern digital experiences

Elaborating on the five goals, she says that it is critical for the federal workforce to understand the use of government data, as all government processes are data-based. Next, Dalboe believes that the CDO function should be professionalized like the CISOs to bring more clarity to the role and competency models.

The third goal stresses the need for effective storytelling. She maintains that data professionals come bearing technical jargon, but they must change their ways of communication. To address that, Dalboe recommends speaking in a language that leadership understands. This would help in securing budgets and resources and will make it easier to show the return on investment, she adds.

The fourth and fifth goals revolve around the input and output sides of the data life cycle, says Dalboe. The fourth goal highlights putting resources together that can help understand the data journey map while advancing best practices around federal data collection.

Reiterating the Paperwork Reduction Act, Dalboe states that there is a law that drives how data should be collected from the citizens. Therefore, it is critical to be strategic about that and get the data that is needed to facilitate mission work.

Commenting on the fifth goal area, she emphasizes that by empowering modern digital experiences, the council wants to be able to identify best practices for managing data to enable responsible AI.

Moving forward, as an advocate for women in the data and technology space, Dalboe wishes to be a role model for women so much so that they feel like equals at the table. As a mentor, she helps women feel empowered and comfortable speaking up without seeking permission.

With over two decades of experience, Dalboe asserts that it has always been a male-dominated space. Nevertheless, it is imperative that well-trained women know that their voices are relevant to the conversation.

In conclusion, she states that women have fantastic ideas that can work wonders in the domain, but they need to feel confident about being invited to the table.

CDO Magazine appreciates Kirsten Dalboe for sharing her insights with our global community.