Roadmaps that get executed

🎯 Theme: From plans to reality

This page explains how to create a strategic roadmap for implementing city data strategy, outlining a four-phase approach from establishing foundations to fostering innovation, with clear accountability assignments and recommendations for public transparency.

A roadmap is a strategic planning tool that outlines a sequence of activities, milestones, deliverables, and timelines needed to achieve specific objectives or goals, typically presented visually. In the context of a city data strategy, a roadmap serves as an implementation plan that clearly defines how to transition from the current state (e.g. existing data capabilities, resources, and infrastructure) to the desired future state (e.g. enhanced data maturity, infrastructure, and governance).

This should be broken down into clear, actionable phases and timelines, highlighting dependencies and key milestones.

• Typical phases include:
  • Phase 1: Foundations (0–6 months)
    • Establish data governance framework.
    • Build foundational technology infrastructure.
    • Initial stakeholder engagement and training.
  • Phase 2: Pilots and Quick Wins (6–12 months)
    • Implement high-impact pilot use cases.
    • Measure and communicate early results.
  • Phase 3: Expansion and Integration (1–2 years)
    • Scale successful pilots city-wide.
    • Enhance data integration across departments.
    • Strengthen data analytics capabilities.
  • Phase 4: Optimization and Innovation (2–3+ years)
    • Embed advanced analytics and data science practices.
    • Foster innovation through continuous improvement and community collaboration.

Alongside these phases and specific action items, accountability should be determined and made clear by identifying key stakeholders responsible for different tasks and deliverables.

• Examples include:
  • Chief Data Officer: Overall strategy oversight.
  • Data Governance Council: Policy approval and governance decisions.
  • IT/Data team: Infrastructure implementation and data management.
  • Department Heads: Use case sponsors and adopters.

Once the roadmap is developed, it should be displayed in an accessible location for relevant stakeholders to reference. To take it a step further and gain the benefits of working in the open, this should be included on a public website for residents to view and engage with.