ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on why institutions should care about creating a data strategy and the gains achieved by having one. It begins by describing what a data strategy is and why institutions should have one. The chapter outlines the characteristics of a data strategy. The value of routine reporting is too seldom questioned, consuming personnel time that could be better spent on more high-value efforts that produce information on which decisions can be based. Colleges and universities have invested heavily in information resources and must leverage that investment effectively to realize its full potential. Senior-level sign off is frequently required before data can be submitted. All too often, those same senior leaders have little confidence in the accuracy of the data. As the ability to access data using technology has expanded, so too has data literacy among employees. The chapter concludes with several key steps to securing commitment to an institution-wide data strategy.
