Discover Data
Developments in technology have created the conditions for exponential growth in the fields of data science, data management, data analytics and artificial intelligence. As such, data literacy has become as important as reading and writing.
The Government of Canada (GC) faces a gap between current data literacy levels and levels needed to leverage data as a strategic asset and maximize business value. For the Canadian public service to successfully mature into a data-driven organization, it is essential to grow our collective ability to understand and use data.
Using Data in the Government of Canada is the first of the Discover Data series. This virtual course will enable you to situate yourself in changing government priorities and initiatives around data and identify actions you can take to improve your personal data literacy.
Through hands-on learning activities, tailored resources, and rich discussions, you will explore and discuss the role you play with data in the Government of Canada and how your role fits with other organizational data roles, the GC data strategy and key government initiatives.
After attending this course, you will:
- Apply commonly used data terms and concepts
- Identify your own role with data, and explain how it fits with other organizational data roles
- Summarize the steps of the data lifecycle
- Explain how the GC uses data and identify key resources
- Discuss why data skills are so important
To complete your homework, check out your organization's data strategy:
- Canada School of Public Service
- Department of Finance
- Department of National Defence
- Employment and Social Development Canada
- Health Canada
- Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada
- Global Affairs Canada
- WWrite organization here
- Write organization here
- Write organization here
- Write organization here
- Write organization here
- Write organization here
| Type of Resource | Name/Title of Resource | Organization | Contact/Link | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Video | Annual Report: Ellen and Jason | Government of Canada, Privy Council Office | https://www.facebook.com/ClerkGC/videos/604452839930035/ | Stresses the importance of accessibility. Ellen met Jason, who is visually impaired, and she built him a 3D map to help him get around the office. |
| Project intake outline | How we host | PCH | File:How we host - 4 steps.pdf | This is an outline of how the Innovation & Experimentation Team at PCH works with potential project partners to explore the possibility of an applied design thinking project. |
| Article | User Research Basics | U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services | https://www.usability.gov/what-and-why/user-research.html | When to perform specific types of user research. |
| Guide | User research guide | Ontario Digital Service | https://www.ontario.ca/page/user-research-guide | In alpha. |
| Report summary (3 pages) | Design Thinking for Public Service Excellence | United Nations Development Programme: Global Centre for Public Service Excellence | http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/capacity-development/English/Singapore%20Centre/GCPSE%20Design%20Thinking%20Summary.pdf | Examples of design thinking for public sector use (on page 3). |
| Online course | Agile Meets Design Thinking | University of Virginia via Coursera | https://www.class-central.com/course/coursera-agile-meets-design-thinking-11994?utm_source=qz&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=new_courses_october_2018 | |
| Web page. | The principles of the Agile Manifesto | The Agile Alliance | http://agilemanifesto.org/principles.html | Anything to add? |
| Type of Resource | Name/Title of Resource | Organization | Contact/Link | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Article | Tips for Capturing the Best Data from User Interviews | 18F | https://18f.gsa.gov/2016/02/09/tips-for-capturing-the-best-data-from-user-interviews/ | A quick 5-minute read. |
| Expert, video, article, course, etc. | Name/Title | Organization | Contact/Link | Anything to add? |
| Expert, video, article, course, etc. | Name/Title | Organization | Contact/Link | Anything to add? |
| Type of Resource | Name/Title of Resource | Organization | Contact/Link | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert, video, article, course, etc. | Name/Title | Organization | Contact/Link | Anything to add? |
| Expert, video, article, course, etc. | Name/Title | Organization | Contact/Link | Anything to add? |
| Expert, video, article, course, etc. | Name/Title | Organization | Contact/Link | Anything to add? |
| Type of Resource | Name/Title of Resource | Organization | Contact/Link | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Video | Alex Benay on a digital public service | OCIO | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lpz0iK0pLE | Anything to add? |
| Web page | The GC Digital Standards | OCIO | https://www.canada.ca/en/government/system/digital-government/government-canada-digital-standards.html | Anything to add? |
| Web page | GC Digital Standards Playbook | OCIO | https://canada-ca.github.io/digital-playbook-guide-numerique/en/overview.html | Anything to add? |