State data officers push forward, often without enough budget or authority, report finds
While more states are embracing data-driven governance, many chief data officers still struggle with limited resources and weak institutional power, a new survey of state CDOs reveals.
Most state CDO offices operate with budgets under $1 million and manage small teams, yet are expected to coordinate data strategies across multiple agencies, according to the report, published Wednesday by the National Association of State Chief Information Officers and the Beeck Center for Social Impact and Innovation at Georgetown University.
As states increasingly roll out digital services, aligning health, education, and workforce data, the survey found that their success may hinge on how well CDOs can operate at the intersection of policy, technology and public trust. Currently, 27 states have a chief data officer, or an equivalent position.
“We don’t have enough authority to make agencies comply,” one chief data officer reported about the role being undervalued.
The survey also found that confusion over the data officer’s scope remains a hurdle. For instance, in many states, chief data officers lack clear authority or backing from the executive branch, which can impact their efforts to break siloed systems and enforce consistent data standards across agencies.
“We are constantly battling skepticism about data-sharing concerns over misuse, slowing every project,” another state respondent warned.
Many data officers also reported challenges around data privacy, workforce capacity and creating trust in how government uses data—reflecting the tension between pushing for more innovation and maintaining accountability.
“We must move fast, but not so fast we break public confidence,” one chief data officer noted.
Still, the survey’s findings signal momentum: More states view chief data officers as partners rather than administrative roles, and many are attempting to elevate their influence within state government.
