A Practical Guide to Data Strategy for Small and Medium Agencies

Before making any changes, agencies need to assess their current data maturity.

Agencies should:

• Use the WoAG Data Maturity Assessment Tool to benchmark current capabilities
• Identify gaps in governance, architecture, operations and data quality
• Engage staff to understand pain points and opportunities

This initial assessment sets the foundation for targeted improvements.

Agencies can secure an early win by embedding governance structures across their organisation.

Agencies should:

• Appoint a Data Steward or Governance Lead
• Create a steering group or working committee to oversee data compliance
• Define clear roles and responsibilities for data decision-making

Governance must be shared, not siloed. Using a federated model allows organisations to maintain ownership and avoid critical points of failure.

Agencies should form a dedicated Data Strategy and Management Team to embed new practices into business-as-usual operations and drive uplift.

Agencies should:

• Form small, cross-functional team with project, architecture and governance expertise
• Clearly define accountability and reporting lines
• Communicate the team’s role across the organisation

Even a small team can drive change if empowered with clear authority and support.

A strategic data roadmap will help agencies align their organisation’s data use with their mission.

The strategy should:

• Be co-developed with internal and external stakeholders
• Reflect operational needs and regulatory obligations
• Clarify how data supports compliance activities
• Outline how data value will embed into decision-making
• Align with broader policy, program and departmental priorities
• Align with WoAG privacy and accountability framework

A clear data strategy guides decision-making and ensures all teams are working towards the same objectives.

A strategic data roadmap will help agencies align their organisation’s data use with their mission.

The data strategy should define standards and rules for managing data across its lifecycle. To operationalise this, agencies should:

• Create or adopt a data management framework tailored to the agency
• Develop guidance materials, policies and standard operating procedures
• Establish a central repository for data governance resources

Immediate activities, such as updating data catalogues and embedding data champions, can build momentum.

A lack of a single trusted source and inconsistent management of transformation logic are key risks for a data strategy.

Agencies should:

• Document transformation logic and business rules
• Apply ISO 8000 standards for data quality
• Conduct regular validation and assurance checks

Improved metadata and lineage tracking enhances trust and usability across teams.

Data maturity is not just technical, it’s also cultural. Agencies need to invest in targeted training and capability assessments to ensure staff have the skills and knowledge to manage data effectively.

Agencies should:

• Assess staff literacy and training needs
• Provide quick reference guides and standard operating procedures
• Monitor uptake and impact through feedback loops

Empowered staff are critical to sustaining change and building data maturity.

Security and privacy are foundational to data maturity. Data teams should work with policy, legal and technical teams to define environment-specific requirements and access controls.

Agencies should:

• Classify data and apply appropriate access controls
• Conduct privacy impact assessments
• Align with the Australian Privacy Principles and Protective Security Policy Framework

Secure data handling builds public trust and ensures legal compliance.

Data management is not a one-off project. Agencies need to embed review processes into their governance model to ensure continuous improvement.

Agencies should:

• Review Data Management Plans annually
• Conduct internal audits and report findings
• Refresh frameworks and policies regularly

A feedback-driven approach ensures alignment with evolving regulations and agency needs.