Data Bytes

The articles in BCSTAT's “Data Bytes” series focus on bringing awareness to BCSTAT projects and initiatives, as well as the subject of data-driven government.

Data Bytes powered by BCSTAT

December 2024

about BCSTAt: An Introduction to Data-Driven Government

In a press release on March 4, 2020, County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced the formation of BCSTAT, Baltimore County Government’s data-driven performance management program.

While the team had been incorporating data into government practices since November 2019, this was the formal transition to an era of modernized, data-driven government. Now, five years after the unofficial launch of BCSTAT, we can pause to bring recognition to this department and see how the program has grown since its beginning. 

description of Data-Driven Government

At its core, data-driven government seeks to incorporate evidence, research and data analysis into decision making processes, evaluation and policymaking. BCSTAT’s data-driven government approach is three pronged:

  1. BCSTAT acts as an internal consulting agency for County departments to provide data analysis and other project support. Some departments have their own data analysis team, while others don’t. BCSTAT ensures that every Baltimore County Government department has access to data support.
  2. BCSTAT provides opportunities for collaborative review and discussion regarding data analysis findings. The team hosts "STAT sessions"—cross-departmental meetings with department heads, administrative leadership and the BCSTAT team—to discuss the results of analyses. STAT sessions provide a forum for open discussion and ensure that those with the capacity to take action are involved in the conversation from the start. 
  3. BCSTAT provides transparency. The team ensures that there is public access to certain datasets and hosts publicly accessible dashboards. 

An article published in the journal "Public Administration Review," dives into evidence-informed policymaking. The author of this article, Brian Head, explains that the evidence-based policy movement began in the 1970s, with goals of improving efficiency and effectiveness in decision-making, as well as to improve civic trust in decision makers.

While Head highlights concerns related to isolation of the components within the policy process, BCSTAT avoids these concerns as it functions as a one-stop shop. The BCSTAT team consists of data analysts, researchers, policy analysts and law professionals who work together to cover multiple phases of the evidence-informed policy process, avoiding isolation. Head’s research also emphasized the importance of face-to-face exchanges and facilitated meetings between decision makers and researchers. STAT sessions act as just that, a face-to-face meeting for the exchange of information between departments and leadership. BCSTAT is built on a solid foundation that highlights communication with decision makers, ease of access to data analysis services and transparency with the public. 

How BCSTAT HAS grown over the past five years

Since 2019, the BCSTAT team has grown significantly. Starting with just a few core members, the department has gradually grown to currently include approximately 15 employees. 

Projects and topics addressed by the team have expanded as well. The first STAT session held in 2019 focused on the Department of Corrections. STAT sessions are now regularly held for a range of topics, such as:

  • Behavioral health
  • Capital projects
  • Education
  • Housing and homelessness
  • Neighborhood concerns
  • Public safety
  • Sustainability
  • Transportation
  • The workforce

As shown below, the frequency of STAT sessions has also increased significantly by year. When the team launched in late 2019, they hosted just two STAT sessions. Now, as 2024 wraps up, they are on track to host 37 STAT sessions this year. 

  • 2019—2 sessions
  • 2020—15 sessions
  • 2021—29 sessions
  • 2022—33 sessions
  • 2023—36 sessions
  • 2024—37 sessions

BCSTAT has proven to be a helpful addition to Baltimore County over the past few years. Cheers to many more years of BCSTAT’s hard work and dedication to improving practices and policies in Baltimore County Government.