DHA CDAO Spearheads Master Data Catalog to Boost Transparency

Defense Health Agency’s (DHA) new Chief Data and Analytics Officer (CDAO) Dr. Jesus Caban has deemed data maturity his top priority, he told GovCIO Media & Research in a recent interview. Caban assumed his new role nearly one month ago and has since outlined his approach to mature DHA’s data through a new initiative currently underway: a master DHA data catalog.

Caban said DHA is taking a full inventory of dashboards and analytics tools, with the goal of creating a centralized catalog, standardizing key measures and eliminating duplicative efforts. He added the catalog will offer greater transparency into existing data assets within the agency, which comprise of who owns each data set, who the data stewards are and what data variables and structures are included. 

“The goal for this initiative is to enable DHA users to discover, understand and access the data they need, avoid duplication and increase trust in data across the agency,” said Caban. “This initiative directly supports the DOD VAULTIS framework and assists with the data maturity efforts.”

DHA is also itemizing artificial intelligence and machine learning tools.

“[We’re] maintaining a comprehensive AI/ML inventory, in alignment with federal mandates, to better coordinate efforts and leverage expertise across various DHA teams,” said Caban.

Aligning the Catalog with the Broader Defense Data Goals

VAULTIS, part of the Defense Department’s data strategy to become a data-centric organization, is helping DHA mature its data by aligning its modernization efforts with the strategy’s seven core goals: ensuring data is more visible, accessible, understandable, linkable, trustworthy, interoperable and secure. DHA is also enhancing accessibility by streamlining data governance to enable protected, role-based data access.

“Our specific goals to get there include making data understandable by aligning data owners, stewards and technical stewards to their respective data sources and by leveraging standardization via the MHS Common Data Model for key enterprise metrics,” said Caban. “In addition, DHA CDAO will be the primary team coordinating data literacy across the enterprise.”

According to Caban, through VAULTIS, DHA is utilizing technology to ensure data is linked across multiple sources instead of just consolidating the data. The agency is also working to build trustworthy data through governance, quality management and stewardship practices to better inform decision-making.

Maturing Data Governance to Boost Interoperability

Interoperability and security are key components when it comes to maturing data. DHA is taking an enterprise-wide approach to make data more accessible, interoperable and secure by establishing data governance roles to help teams follow consistent data management and quality practices.

“[We’re] enabling interoperability by adhering to standards and governance frameworks in collaboration with the VA, DOD partners and external systems,” said Caban. “[We’re] embedding security and privacy by working closely with the DHA chief information officer and information technology offices to continuously implement the latest technologies for secure data access.”

Bolstering Partnerships to Scale Data Innovation

Partnerships with other government agencies, academia and industry are essential to accelerating DHA’s data maturity, according to Caban. The agency’s internal partnerships are also helping align data governance across directorates and encouraging consistent data management practices throughout DHA.

“External federal partnerships, especially with the DOD CDAO, services CDOs, CDAOs, the VA, and other federal agencies support joint efforts and improve efficiencies across the organizations,” said Caban. “Academic and industry partnerships can contribute via innovation, research expertise and emerging technologies.”