Data Innovation Across the States: Leaders and Laggards

… collection, sharing and use of data that that could drive insights and innovation. This section of the report looks indicators that measure the presence and quality of seven components of technological infrastructure: broadband, smart meters, transit information systems, electronic health records, the Internet of Things, open-data portals, and e-government technology.

Looking at rankings in the category, the top five states enabling key technology platforms are: Maryland, Utah, Washington, Oregon, and Michigan.

Maryland, for example, ranks at or near the top on indicators such as broadband, transit information systems, and open-data portals — and strongly in most other categories, according to the report authors. The report expands on each category indicator.

Developing Human and Business Capital 

The third category in the report explores the people and skills that form the foundation for a data-driven economy, and looks at indicators related to: student preparation, data-related jobs and team effort.

The top-ranking states in this category overall: Massachusetts, California, Washington, New York, and, Virginia.

According to the report: States with historically strong technology sectors, such as Massachusetts and California, took top spots in many of the indicators in this category. Many of these indicators, such as the number of data-science jobs in the state, are harder for state policymakers to influence directly; some indicators reflect long-standing investments in attracting certain types of businesses or improving public education. Therefore, states that rank lower on these indicators have an uphill battle.

The 79-page report delves into the three category areas and also provides recommendations, or steps, that states can implement to encourage a data-driven economy and positive results.