NDMO and Data Modernization in Saudi Arabia in 2024

We live in an era where data is an invaluable asset. As Saudi Arabia continues to modernize and develop into a knowledge economy, leveraging data effectively is crucial. The National Data Management Office (NDMO) was established in the Kingdom in 2019 to spearhead data governance and enable data-driven policymaking. In this article, we will explore how the NDMO has evolved over the past five years. We will examine key initiatives that have transformed data practices across government entities. The NDMO's focus on skills development has also nurtured a new generation of data professionals, allowing Saudi Arabia to harness the power of data. Join us as we take a closer look at how the NDMO has propelled Saudi Arabia towards a more data-driven future.

What Is the National Data Management Office (NDMO)?

The National Data Management Office (NDMO) was established in 2020 to enable data-driven decision making across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As an independent government body reporting directly to the Council of Ministers, the NDMO aims to maximize the value of data as a national asset.

Data Governance and Standardization

The NDMO develops and enforces data governance policies, standards, and best practices to drive consistency and interoperability across sectors. This includes establishing common data definitions, taxonomies, and schemas to enable data sharing and integration at a national scale.

Data Platforms and Ecosystems

The NDMO builds and operates national data platforms, services, and tools to facilitate data access, exchange, and reuse. This includes a national data catalog, data marketplace, analytics platform, and developer portal. The NDMO also fosters partnerships with private sector technology companies to cultivate a thriving data ecosystem.

Capability and Workforce Development

Recognizing that data is a strategic capability, the NDMO works to build data literacy and technical skills across sectors through education, training programs, and data science bootcamps. The NDMO also provides consulting and advisory services to help government entities develop data strategies, build analytics capabilities, and execute high-impact data projects.

By governing data at a national level, providing shared data infrastructure, and developing data capabilities, the NDMO is enabling Saudi Arabia to harness the power of data and analytics to fuel innovation, enhance public services, and accelerate progress towards Vision 2030. The future is data-driven, and the NDMO is charting the course.

NDMO's Role in Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030

As Saudi Arabia undertakes an ambitious economic and social reform agenda under Vision 2030, the National Data Management Office (NDMO) plays a pivotal role in enabling data-driven innovation and governance. Established in 2020, NDMO aims to unlock the potential of data as a key enabler of Saudi Arabia’s transition to a knowledge economy.

NDMO is responsible for developing and implementing the National Data Strategy, which provides a framework for modernizing data infrastructure, governance and capabilities across sectors. The Strategy envisions seamless data sharing between government agencies and the private sector through secure and standardized systems. NDMO also works closely with stakeholders to identify and recommend policy changes needed to enable responsible data use.

A major initiative spearheaded by NDMO is the development of a federated data network that connects datasets across sectors while maintaining data privacy and security.### This network, built on international standards, makes high-value data assets discoverable and accessible to authorized users. Saudi government agencies and companies can leverage the network to gain data-driven insights, optimize operations and develop innovative products and services.

NDMO plays an integral role in building technical and human capacity for data-driven innovation. It provides advisory and training programs for data professionals and works with universities to develop data science curricula. NDMO also runs data challenges, hackathons and innovation labs to spur the creation of solutions that address national priorities.

In summary, NDMO is leading the charge in unlocking the potential of data to drive economic growth and improve governance in Saudi Arabia. Through its initiatives, Saudi Arabia is poised to become a leader in data-driven innovation and reap the benefits of a knowledge economy. With continued progress, data will be pivotal to achieving the goals of Vision 2030.

How NDMO Supports Data-Driven Innovation

The Saudi National Data Management Office (NDMO) enables data-driven innovation in several key ways. First, it provides infrastructure for data storage and management through cloud services and data centers. By centralizing data in secure and scalable systems, the NDMO makes data available for analysis and application building.

Second, the NDMO establishes data governance policies and best practices. This includes defining consistent schemas and standards for data collection and storage across sectors. With unified data models and interoperability, data from diverse sources can be integrated and leveraged in new ways. The NDMO also enforces data security, privacy, and ethics guidelines to build trust in the data ecosystem.

Finally, the NDMO supports the development of data skills and talent. It provides educational programs for data scientists, analysts, and engineers to ensure Saudi Arabia has the human capital to tap into the potential of data. The NDMO also works with private companies and non-profits to promote data literacy more broadly. By cultivating both technical and analytical data skills, Saudi Arabia is poised to become a leader in data-driven innovation.

In summary, the Saudi NDMO paves the way for data-driven progress through:

• Providing infrastructure for scalable data storage and management
• Establishing governance policies for consistent and ethical data use
• Developing data skills and talent through education and training programs

With the foundations set by the NDMO, public and private sectors can build data-intensive applications, gain analytical insights, and make evidence-based decisions to benefit Saudi society as a whole. The future is bright for data-driven innovation in Saudi Arabia.

NDMO Partnerships With SDAIA, DAMA, and Others

The National Data Management Office (NDMO) was established by royal decree in 2020 to accelerate Saudi Arabia’s data-driven transformation. As an independent government agency, the NDMO recognizes that strategic partnerships are crucial to achieving the Kingdom’s data ambitions. ###Collaboration with the Saudi Data and AI Authority

The Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) was launched in 2019 to enable data-driven innovation in the public and private sectors. The NDMO and SDAIA have forged a close working relationship to advance the national data agenda. Our organizations are collaborating on policies, standards, and governance frameworks that will facilitate the sharing and exchange of data across sectors in a secure, trusted, and ethical manner.

Partnership with DAMA International

The NDMO has partnered with DAMA International, a leading professional organization focused on data management, to develop data management capabilities in the Kingdom. DAMA International provides education, certification, and networking opportunities for data management professionals worldwide. Through our partnership, the NDMO aims to cultivate a community of data stewards and build a data-literate workforce in Saudi Arabia.

Engagement with International Counterparts

The NDMO actively engages with data governance organizations and national data offices around the world to learn best practices and gain valuable insights from other countries’ experiences. For example, the NDMO has established relationships with the Open Data Institute, the World Bank, and the governments of Estonia, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and others. By tapping into the global data governance community, the NDMO can accelerate its mission to establish Saudi Arabia as a leader in data-driven innovation.

Our partnerships aim to promote knowledge sharing, raise data literacy, and develop the data skills that will be crucial for Saudi Arabia’s continued progress. The NDMO looks forward to expanding our network of strategic alliances to further the Kingdom’s data and AI ambitions. Together, we are pioneering a data-driven future for Saudi Arabia.

NDMO Data Governance Framework

The Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA) established the National Data Management Office (NDMO) to drive data sharing and open data initiatives across government agencies. As a core part of its mission, the NDMO developed a comprehensive data governance framework to enable data-driven innovation and value creation.

Data Principles

The NDMO data governance framework is built upon five key principles: openness, transparency, accountability, interoperability and discoverability.

Data Policies and Standards

To facilitate data sharing, the NDMO has established data management policies, metadata standards and data exchange standards. Government agencies are required to comply with these policies and standards to publish their data assets on the National Open Data Portal.

Data Roles and Responsibilities

The NDMO data governance framework defines clear roles and responsibilities for data management and governance within government agencies. This includes establishing Data Governance Boards, appointing Data Stewards and publishing Data Management Plans.

Tools and Processes

The NDMO provides tools, templates and resources to support government agencies in implementing the data governance framework. This includes tools for data assessment and classification, data quality measurement, and processes for managing data requests and resolving data issues.

In summary, the NDMO data governance framework provides a structured approach to enable government agencies to unlock the value of data through increased openness and interoperability. By following the NDMO's policies, standards and best practices, government agencies can achieve higher data maturity and benefit from data-driven innovation. The NDMO continues to enhance the data governance framework based on lessons learned and feedback from government agencies to achieve the goal of a vibrant data ecosystem in Saudi Arabia.

NDMO Data Strategy and Roadmap

As the National Data Management Office (NDMO), our mission is to enable data-driven government decision making and innovation in Saudi Arabia. To achieve this, we have developed a comprehensive data strategy and roadmap for the next 5 years.

Data Governance and Management

A robust data governance framework is essential to ensure data is managed as a strategic asset. We will establish data governance policies, data quality standards, and data ownership rules across government entities. Master data management will also be implemented to provide a single source of truth for key data elements.

Data Platform and Integration

A shared data platform will be built to enable data sharing and open data. The platform will host high-value data sets from across government and provide data APIs for easy access. It will also enable data integration between systems through data virtualization and a common data model.

Data Skills and Literacy

Data literacy and analytics skills are urgently needed across our government. We will launch data literacy programs for civil servants and data science training for technical roles. Educational partnerships will also cultivate data skills in new graduates.

Data-Driven Culture

Ultimately, the success of our data strategy relies on fostering a data-driven culture within government. We will lead change management programs to build data enthusiasm, provide use cases to showcase the value of data, and recognize civil servants who have achieved data innovation.

Over the next 5 years, the NDMO data strategy and roadmap will establish the foundations for data-driven government in Saudi Arabia. With governance, platforms, skills, and culture in place, data will become a strategic asset that is managed, shared, and used to drive decision making, service improvement, and policymaking across our government. The future is data-driven, and the NDMO will make that future a reality.

NDMO Data Skills Development and CDMP Certification

To fully reap the benefits of the NDMO, Saudi organizations require professionals with strong data skills and knowledge. The NDMO Data Skills Framework outlines key competencies in data management, analysis, visualization and more that data professionals should possess.

Data Management Professional Certification

The Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) certification verifies an individual’s ability to design, develop, operate, manage, and govern data management solutions and processes. CDMP is globally recognized and demonstrates one’s proficiency in areas like data governance, metadata management, data quality, data architecture, and more.

Continuous Learning

With rapid advancements in data technologies, data professionals must engage in continuous learning. Free online courses, video tutorials, and data management conferences are excellent ways to stay up-to-date with trends in data governance, privacy, analytics, and visualization. Certification in leading data platforms and tools like SQL, Python, Tableau, and Alteryx also provide valuable, in-demand skills.

Partnerships with Universities

To cultivate future data talent, the NDMO is partnering with universities to develop data science and management programs. These programs teach both technical and soft skills, preparing students for careers as data analysts, scientists, architects, and governance professionals. Partnerships also provide opportunities for ongoing research into new data technologies, standards, and best practices.

Mentorship and Internship Programs

Mentorship and internship programs are crucial for developing data professionals. Mentorship programs pair experienced data practitioners with up-and-coming talent, providing guidance on career growth and helping to strengthen data skills. Internship programs give students and new graduates on-the-job experience, allowing them to apply their knowledge in a real-world setting under the supervision of a mentor. These programs are key to building a new generation of data leaders in Saudi organizations.

Through skill development, certification, continuous learning, university partnerships, and mentorship programs, Saudi Arabia is cultivating the data talent necessary to make the most of the NDMO. Strong data skills paired with a growth mindset will be required to navigate the data-driven future ahead.

NDMO's Impact on the Saudi Data Ecosystem

The National Data Management Office (NDMO) was established by the Saudi government to organize and modernize the management of data across all sectors. NDMO aims to enable data exchange between government agencies and unlock the economic value of data through advanced analytics and AI.

As the governing body for data in Saudi Arabia, NDMO has significant influence over the development of the data ecosystem. NDMO establishes data policies, standards and frameworks that government organizations and private sector companies must follow. For example, NDMO's Data Classification Policy helps determine how different types of data should be handled based on sensitivity. Their Data Quality Standards help ensure data is fit for purpose.

NDMO also invests in data infrastructure and platforms that benefit the whole data ecosystem. The National Data Lake aggregates anonymized data from across government agencies, which can then be used by companies and researchers to gain insights and build innovative solutions. Application Programming Interfaces or APIs allow third parties to access specific data sets through NDMO data platforms.

Furthermore, NDMO runs education and training programs to improve data literacy and skills. They offer certifications in data science, analytics, visualization and management. These programs will cultivate more data professionals to meet the growing demand from public and private sector organizations.

Overall, NDMO plays an instrumental role in unlocking the value of data for social and economic development in Saudi Arabia. By governing data policies, investing in data infrastructure and improving data skills, NDMO is creating an environment where data can be accessed, exchanged and leveraged to solve complex challenges. The impacts of NDMO will only grow as data becomes increasingly critical for government, business and society.

NDMO FAQs: Your Top Data Modernization Questions Answered

As a leader in data-driven digital transformation, we frequently receive questions about Saudi Arabia’s National Data Management Office (NDMO) and its flagship initiative, the National Data Modernization Program (NDMP). Below, we answer some of the most common queries regarding this ambitious project to establish Saudi Arabia as a data-driven society.

The NDMO was established by royal decree in 2019 to oversee the development and implementation of the NDMP. The program aims to modernize data management practices across the public sector by 2024. Its primary goals are to improve data quality, governance, and security; enhance data sharing between ministries and agencies; and promote a data-driven culture within government.

How will the NDMP benefit citizens and businesses?

By improving data management and facilitating data sharing between public sector entities, the NDMP will enable more seamless delivery of e-services to citizens and businesses. Higher quality, more integrated data will allow government agencies to gain valuable insights and make more informed policy decisions. The program is also expected to stimulate growth in Saudi Arabia’s data economy, creating opportunities for local companies in fields like analytics, AI, and smart cities.

What are the key milestones and timeline for implementation?

The NDMP is being rolled out in three phases from 2019 to 2024:

1. Establish the NDMO and data governance frameworks (2019-2020)
2. Digitize and integrate priority government datasets (2021-2022)
3. Scale modern data capabilities across the public sector (2023-2024)

By the program's conclusion in 2024, all ministries and agencies will have transitioned to a modern data management approach aligned with NDMP standards.

How will success of the NDMP be measured?

Key performance indicators for the NDMP include:

?Improved Saudi Arabia’s ranking in the UN E-Government Survey ?Increase in high-value datasets shared between government entities ?Reduction in data quality issues reported by public sector data users ?Growth in data-related jobs and contribution of data economy to GDP ?Improved citizen and business satisfaction with government digital services

Through the NDMO, Saudi Arabia is poised to become a leader in data-driven policymaking and public sector innovation. The NDMP will establish the data foundations to fuel the Kingdom’s vision for a vibrant digital society and thriving data economy.

My Thoughts (Conclusion)

As data continues to grow exponentially in Saudi Arabia, the NDMO will prove invaluable in ensuring it is properly governed and utilized. My colleagues and I believe the NDMO is poised to provide significant benefits to both the public and private sectors.

The NDMO gives the Saudi government an opportunity to establish data standards, policies, and governance frameworks to effectively manage data as a strategic asset. With more robust data governance and management practices in place, policymakers and government entities will have greater access to timely, high-quality data to support decision making and policy development. For businesses, the NDMO provides guidance on properly collecting, handling, and using personal data in compliance with regulations like the Personal Data Protection Law.

By 2024, we foresee the NDMO will have made major headway in building a comprehensive data governance framework for Saudi Arabia. This includes developing data management standards, policies, and procedures aligned with international best practices; launching data literacy and skills training programs; and implementing secure data sharing platforms and data trusts to enable data exchange between government agencies and third-parties. The NDMO will also likely roll out initial data-driven government services to showcase the value of well-governed data.

While an undertaking of this scale is ambitious, the potential benefits to government efficiency, innovation, and citizen services are well worth the investment and effort. The NDMO has the opportunity to establish Saudi Arabia as a leader in data-driven policymaking and governance. With a forward-looking, comprehensive approach to data management, Saudi Arabia can unlock the full potential of data to improve lives and society. Overall, the future looks bright for data in Saudi Arabia, and we are eager to see the progress that will come from the NDMO.