b' The requirements of the Evidence Act are geared towards a fundamental change in the way agencies think about what theyre doing. The law enacts 11 of the 27 recommendations of the Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking. I was one of the Commissioners. I know these recommendations. Im very excited about this law. Nancy PotokThe change for many agencies will be that the priorityWould tell us more about the implementations of the questions to be answered must drive the research methods,Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act (the rather than methods being determined by what data haveEvidence Act)? been readily available in the past.The federal data strategy and the Evidence Act are a The second component focuses on access, use, andpowerful match. Their collective vision: to create partnerships augmentation of data. It calls on agencies to make databetween U.S. federal agencies, State, tribal, and local available to the public more quickly and in more usefulgovernments, academia, and industry to realize effectively formats. In addition, agencies should be using the bestthe value of shared federal dataaccomplished by putting available technologies to increase access to sensitive,open non-sensitive data in the hands of the public and using protected data while protecting privacy, confidentiality,secure technology to increase legitimate researcher access to and security, including the interests of the data providers.more restricted, sensitive data while still protecting privacy The Evidence Commission envisioned a National Secureand confidentiality of those data.Data Service that would be a center of excellence for statistical activities that support evidence building. TheThe requirements of the Evidence Act are geared toward a strategys action plan calls for the creation of toolkitsfundamental change in the way agencies think about what and methodologies to help agencies build their owntheyre doing. The law enacts 11 of the 27 recommendations competencies as well. Agencies would also be expected toof the Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking. I was seek out new sources for building statistical data sets, whichone of the commissioners. I know these recommendations. could include commercially available data and data fromIm very excited about this law. The purpose is to address state and local governments. the fractured federal statistical landscape. It illustrates a shift in thinking. This is not about starting with the metrics and The third componentdecision making and accountability.then creating your metrics based on data you have. It is It addresses the need for policy and decision makersabout focusing on what you want to know such as: are your to increase their use of high-quality data and analysesprograms changing anything in society as they were intended to inform evidence-based decision making andto do? What about operational efficiency?improved operations. Agencies are expected to use the most rigorous methods possible that align and areCan you elaborate on this fundamental shift in thinking?appropriate to answering the identified big questions. Agencies may answer questions using existing evidence,Sure. The Evidence Act requires that agencies become including literature reviews, meta-analyses, and researchmore transparent with their data and create a comprehensive clearinghouses. But they are also encouraged to exploredata inventory and data catalogue accessible to the public opportunities for acquiring new evidence, includingthat can be accessed through a single site for the federal utilizing outside expertise. government. In addition, each agency must create an Open Data Plan. To help facilitate easier access to protected Finally, the federal agencies need to facilitate the usestatistical data, the Act mandates that a single application be of government data assets by external parties, such asdeveloped and put in place for researchers to request access academic researchers, businesses, and community groups.to statistical agency data. Currently, each agency has its own To accomplish this through commercialization, innovation,application, making the process cumbersome for researchers.and public use will require agencies to reach out to partners outside of government to assess which data are mostThe Act also requires agencies to develop evaluation plans valuable and should be prioritized for making available.tied to their strategic goals. Agencies then create learning 42 www.businessofgovernment.org The Business of Government'