This questionnaire is designed to complement the guide to ensure the best use of the Data capability framework. It is recommended that you look through the guide first, as it will cover the purpose of the framework and the context for its use.
The data capability framework guide
The framework can be used by individuals or teams to examine their data capability levels and decide what the results means for them. Again, there is more detail in the guide.
The data capability assessment questionnaire [PDF 807 KB]
Contents
Instructions for use of the questionnaire
Examples of use
Self-assessment
Team-assessment
Questionnaire
Instructions for use of the questionnaire
- Select which version of the questionnaire suits your purposes best: the one that lists all the capabilities (in no particular order), or the one that groups the capabilities by category.
- Use the first version if you are wanting to get an overall picture of your skill level across all the capabilities (as an individual or as a team).
- Use the second version if a snapshot of a particular area or category is important (again, as an individual or as a team).
- Work through each capability, one by one.
- For each capability start in the middle level ('Proficient') and decide if that fits, or if you or your team are more towards 'Beginner' to the left or 'Expert' to the right.
As you will see, you can be between levels if you think that reflects your skill level better. If you or your team needs to only be 'Proficient' but are above that, you are identifying a strength. Alternatively, it may be that being above 'Proficient' is identifying a gap, because you need to be at 'Expert' level.
- Choose your level based on your current role(s) and knowledge.
- When you have selected your level, highlight it - you might choose to print the questionnaire, or work on screen.
- It is best to go with an initial response (that is, do not overthink it) and move reasonably quickly.
- Once you have completed the questionnaire, refer back to the Data capability framework guide for suggestions as to how to make the best use of the results.
Examples of use
Self-assessment
The individual who completed this is a statistical and data analyst in a government department with two years of experience. They have rated three of their capabilities like this:
Employ data coding and classification principles
Category: Describe, Store, Use, and Save/Destroy
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New
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- Is aware of relevant data classifications and coding protocols, and their proper application to data in general.
- Knows who to consult for expert knowledge.
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Proficient
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- Has a comprehensive knowledge of data classifications and coding protocols.
- Knows where to obtain expert advice about coding and classifications as needed.
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Expert
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- Is consulted regularly by others about data classifications and coding protocols.
- Can employ conceptual frameworks in support of data classification and coding.
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Employ statistical concepts and methodologies
Category: Collect, Describe, Store, Analyse, Use, and Save/Destroy
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New
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- Is familiar with statistical methodologies relevant for their work.
- Maintains a basic understanding of the concepts underpinning those methodologies.
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Proficient
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- Has a comprehensive understanding of a wide range of statistical concepts, methodologies, and their appropriate application.
- Can explain their proper use to others.
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Expert
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- Is consulted regularly by others for their understanding of statistical concepts and their advice on the proper use of statistical methods.
- Leads efforts to apply good statistical practice.
- Can develop statistical training for others.
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Describe and summarise data
Category: Describe
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New
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- Understands that there are different ways to summarise data and has a basic understanding of commonly used options.
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Proficient
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- Can use various summary options to effectively describe data, and explain and justify those choices.
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Expert
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- Can use innovative approaches to improve the process of summarising data into meaningful narratives.
- Can effectively incorporate data summaries into compelling communication, including for new, large, and complex datasets.
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Assessment conclusions
The individual and their manager agreed that, as part of the performance planning process, using this tool would help check expectations against skill levels.
They filled it in (rating the analyst) independently of one another and then got together for a conversation.
They discovered they had rated the levels in each capability similarly, but the manager tended to rate slightly higher than the individual. This led to a useful discussion about the analyst being too modest about their achievements and skills, and also about which capabilities would be of more interest to them to develop further.
Not all of these aligned with the needs of the team or organisation, but some did, and this provided the basis for a development plan.
Team-assessment
The team that completed this did so in response to their organisation’s desire to identify its data capability needs. The organisation wanted to get more value from their data and use it to make more informed decisions.
The team rated three of their capabilities like this:
Apply data governance guidance
Category: Plan, Collect, Describe, Store, and Save/Destroy
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New
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- Is aware of data governance frameworks and policies.
- Knows where to obtain advice on governance as required.
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Proficient
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- Can contribute to the creation of internal policies in support of data governance.
- Can educate others in the importance of good data governance practice.
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Expert
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- Is consulted regularly about data governance.
- Can formulate and advise on data governance policies and contribute to the structure of organisational data governance frameworks.
- Can provide data governance thought leadership across broader data use contexts.
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Conduct statistical data analysis
Category: Analyse and Use
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New
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- Understands basic statistical measures and their application to data.
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Proficient
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- Can use specialist statistical applications for statistical models.
- Can write custom scripts and code in a statistical computing language to conduct complex analytical tasks.
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Expert
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- Contributes to the development of new functionality for statistical analysis applications, which enables new ways of doing analysis.
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Identify and evaluate data intelligence
Category: Plan, Collect, Describe, and Use
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New
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- Has a general understanding of the subject matter area associated with data use (e.g., small business, healthcare, rural sector, etc.).
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Proficient
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- Has a comprehensive knowledge of the subject matter area associated with the data use and can readily identify the parameters of the subject matter that influence the use of the data.
- Can effectively communicate the relationship between the data and the context in which it is used.
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Expert
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- Is an expert resource on the subject matter area associated with data use, including understanding and influencing the effective use of the data within that subject matter area and the relationship between that use and other data use contexts.
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Assessment conclusions
The team decided to work through the capability list together in a workshop. They all received a copy of the capability list, giving everyone an opportunity to think before the workshop.
In the workshop, they found the team was largely in agreement. But they discovered that they had different views on the three capabilities shown above.
The resulting discussion indicated that some were using their advanced skills in these areas while others were not capable of working at that level. After further discussion, it was decided that it would be in the organisation’s best interests to have everyone at the Expert capability level. This resulted in the set up of a mentoring programme.
Questionnaire
Questionnaire by capability
DCF capability assessment questionnaire by capability [PDF 1.6 MB]
Questionnaire by category
All categories [PDF 3.7 MB]
Plan [PDF 751 KB]
Collect [PDF 911 KB]
Describe [PDF 971 KB]
Store [PDF 726 KB]
Analyse [PDF 754 KB]
Use [PDF 1.1 MB]
Save/Destroy [PDF 716 KB]
