PROJECT BRIEF

BACKGROUND

The City of Missoula is undertaking a strategic initiative to define, strengthen, and implement data governance practices that promote more efficient, transparent, and secure management of city information. This initiative is guided in part by the nationally recognized What Works Cities (WWC) certification framework, which serves as a lens for identifying actionable improvements. In particular, the Paragon team focused on the DM3 (data sharing) and DM5 (data privacy) criteria in the WWC assessment to benchmark current City practices and set achievable targets.

AIMS

Focusing on the DM3 and DM5 criteria in the WWC assessment, the team has provided an in-depth assessment of Missoula’s current data policy and an actionable roadmap for the city to meet these criteria. The analysis and recommendations presented are not only designed to help Missoula meet the DM3 and DM5 criteria, but to build a forward-looking framework that strengthens coordination across departments, safeguards resident privacy, and ensures that data is used in ways that are fair, responsible, and aligned with public service values. 

METHODOLOGY

Assessment included a review of existing documentation, data policy best practices, existing cities’ case studies, and stakeholder interviews to inform the development of a phase-based roadmap for sustainable data sharing practices and WWC certification achievement. Based on these findings, this deliverable outlines a phased implementation strategy tailored to the City of Missoula’s unique departmental structure and capacity, along with detailed role definitions and prioritization of specific certification criteria. 

DELIVERABLES

The phase-based roadmap and implementation strategy is designed to not only advance the City of Missoula toward WWC certification, but to embed sustainable, city-wide practices that ensure data is shared responsibly, managed consistently, and protected comprehensively.

IMPACT AND FUTURE WORK

This project positions Missoula to become a statewide leader in municipal data governance by delivering a clear roadmap for achieving WWC certification and embedding sustainable practices for data sharing and privacy. The adoption of standardized roles, shared terminology, and phased implementation strategies will enhance interdepartmental coordination, reduce data-related risks, and improve public trust. Future work should focus on expanding pilot programs across departments, developing robust feedback mechanisms, and exploring external funding opportunities to support technical infrastructure upgrades.