Embracing a data-driven mindset
Vision 2032: Courts have a data-literate workforce who use and communicate with data to generate insights, optimize performance, and sustain key values
Despite ongoing efforts, courts struggle to fully embrace a robust use of data to inform the court’s work. As a result, courts are not in a position to understand which of their policies, practices, and decisions are performing well and which are failing and require further attention.
Without proper data collection and analysis, courts cannot optimize their own processes, generating challenges to achieving justice. When courts are unable to share data-driven stories that demonstrate their effectiveness with policymakers, court users, the public, or the media, they put themselves at risk of losing critical resources and the public trust that is the foundation of the courts’ legitimacy. To succeed in addressing this vulnerability, courts need to increase the data-literacy (e.g., asking the right questions; understanding which data are relevant; and interpreting data to get meaningful insights) of all levels of court judges and staff, including administrators, clerks, IT, and support staff.
Key future-ready questions to consider
3.1 We follow data governance policies and procedures in the collection, use, and disposal of data.
3.2 Our judges and court staff receive training about the importance of using data to improve court operations and the delivery of justice.
3.3 We encourage judges and court staff to use data in making decisions and identifying effective practices.
3.4 We identify and use metrics to measure the success of business processes and programs.
3.5 We keep abreast of new data-related technologies (e.g., automated input, cleaning, and reporting tools; management systems; data warehouses; data visualization software) that will facilitate the collection and use of court data.