The Importance of Equitable and Timely Access to Data

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Over the course of my first 10 months here at BLS, I have spent much time thinking about the importance of continual improvement in federal statistics. A principal statistical agency must strive for continuous improvement in data collection, statistical methods, and dissemination to ensure success. In recent years, the pandemic and declining survey response rates have been a challenge for statistical agencies everywhere, demanding changes in the way we collect data and increased use of non-survey data sources. I am extremely proud of the innovations BLS has made in response to these challenges—working with Census to develop an internet response mode for the Current Population Survey, increased use of commercial and administrative data in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Import and Export Price Indexes, and improvements in statistical modeling across many programs.  

Events during the last year have signaled a need for continuous improvement in dissemination as well. Our combined efforts to provide accurate and unbiased economic statistics are undermined if we fail to provide timely and equitable access to our data. An early release of CPI data in May and a delayed release of the preliminary benchmark for Current Employment Statistics survey estimates in August were the result of human error and, in the case of CPI, a software update failure. A customer service incident in February generated significant negative press for the agency. These three incidents were isolated events largely unconnected with one another. But they highlighted vulnerabilities in our data release processes and communication practices and tarnished the hard work of staff across BLS.

In response to these incidents, we have made many changes—modifying procedures around data releases, shoring up management practices, and increasing staff training. After the delayed preliminary benchmark release, we also convened an external team of experts to identify additional steps we can take to ensure equitable and timely release of data. That team, after extensive interviews with both BLS staff and stakeholders, has now issued the Team of Experts 60-Day Report.  

The team of experts largely agreed with the BLS internal assessment that the incidents of the last year were isolated events primarily caused by human error. They also identified areas where greater coordination across the agency could help mitigate risk and improve information flows, in particular suggesting a more singular focus on the release process across BLS offices. The report authors were also concerned that BLS IT funding has not kept apace with the rapidly rising cost of technology and software modernization. On customer service, they recommended a rebalancing of timeliness and equity, taking more time to develop answers to material questions and to make those available to all.

Throughout their conversations with me, the team emphasized that overall, their investigation revealed an excellent organization with a highly capable staff deeply committed to their mission and agency. Their recommendations centered on identifying places we could take further action to preserve the public’s trust in our ability to provide fair, equitable, and timely access to data. 

I know many of our staff and our data users will want to know what our next steps are after the release of this report. The short answer is that we are reviewing the recommendations closely and socializing them internally and externally. We are also looking for feedback and suggestions from stakeholders and our staff. On the need for IT investments to stay apace with technology and mitigate data security risks, I can only say I wholeheartedly agree and hope the report’s findings will help us make the case for why additional resources are needed. The team is to be commended for quickly putting together a useful set of suggestions that we will use to build a roadmap for further action, and I offer them my thanks.

Sincerely,

Erika McEntarfer