The Indiana Management and Performance Hub is focusing on governing with data. (Screenshot)
In Indiana, data-driven governance is transforming how the state addresses complex challenges and improves the lives of its residents. The Indiana Management Performance Hub (MPH), which was codified into state law in 2017 as the nation’s first stand-alone state data agency, is focused on building a robust enterprise data culture that encourages everyone to become more comfortable with the data in their daily lives.
By integrating advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning with robust data governance practices, state leaders are crafting innovative solutions to pressing issues. Since its inception, MPH has empowered state leaders to embrace data-driven decision-making, with the expertise and capacity to manage and link sensitive data on behalf of agencies.
Indiana is setting a new standard for state governance through the strategic use of data and technology. Recognizing that these innovations depend on secure, unbiased and well-structured data, the state is establishing a strong foundation for ethical and efficient technology use.
MPH’s current enterprise initiatives include evaluations of agencies’ current data management/governance capabilities to create maturity roadmaps, the introduction of an enterprise data catalog and the establishment of agency privacy officers. These efforts require agencies to look internally at the way they view and use their own data as a way to improve overall data quality, access and usage. Quality data is the foundation to innovation, ease of use and more robust data initiatives. Enterprise-wide acceptance empowers the State to realize the value of state data as a strategic asset.
Over the past decade, MPH has worked with state leaders tasked with tackling a variety of pressing issues—from the opioid crisis and public safety to supporting transparency in government and enhancing education. MPH has helped power data visualization for state agencies using industry-leading tools like Tableau to transform complex datasets into clear, understandable and actionable insights.
In 2024, MPH collaborated with several state agencies to build out The Indiana Vehicle Fuel Dashboard for the Indiana Office of Energy Development. This interactive dashboard uses data from the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Indiana Department of Transportation, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and OED. The dashboard shows vehicle adoption trends and is designed to help citizens and businesses understand changes in transportation fueling.
Indiana’s state government is also leading the charge to ensure responsible AI usage with a robust policy crafted by the Office of the Indiana Chief Data Officer and evaluated by MPH. This policy mandates that high-risk AI projects undergo a thorough pre-deployment assessment grounded in the National Institute of Standards and Technology Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework, encompassing crucial evaluations on data privacy, intellectual property, ethics and cybersecurity.
The overarching goal? To harness the transformative power of AI while diligently managing its risks, ensuring that innovation and responsibility go hand in hand.
How it works
The Indiana Department of Workforce Development is also harnessing AI and data integration with a powerful tool called Pivot that makes personalized career and training recommendations in the state’s Unemployment Insurance system. By combining data from the statewide longitudinal data system (SLDS) housed within MPH, along with data from the Department of Education and the Commission for Higher Education, the tool empowers job seekers by providing insights into median wages, job openings, demand, job descriptions, training duration and completion. The model was thoughtfully trained in an MPH environment using ten years of education and workforce records and is helping users pursue stable and fulfilling career paths to make informed decisions about their future.
Indiana’s forward-thinking data strategy is about more than technology; it’s a vision of governance that prioritizes collaboration, ethical responsibility and education. Employees must be prepared for this ever-changing data landscape.
A cornerstone of MPH’s approach is fostering data literacy to the state workforce, a vital skill in today’s information-rich world. MPH created a customized data proficiency program for state employees (and the public) that is fun, approachable and gamified. The training ensures state employees are equipped to understand and apply data effectively, making informed decisions that drive meaningful progress. Additional lessons are being added to stay current with emerging trends like AI.
With its unwavering commitment to transparency, privacy and continuous improvement, Indiana is not just addressing today’s challenges but is also paving the way for a smarter, data-driven future.
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