7 FIGURE 1.2 What is data quality? TIMELY Is the data current for the decisions being made with it? UNDERSTANDABLE COMPLETE Is the data understandable by those meant to use it? Is all required data available? DATA QUALITY CONSISTENT ACCURATE Is the same or similar data represented in the same way? Does the data accurately describe what it represents? Evaluating the data ecosystem is particularly important at present, as advancing technology and government commitments to e-government5,6 promise radical developments in Myanmar’s data ecosystem in the coming years. Digital solutions hold the potential to securely, quickly, and cheaply collect vast amounts of data while making data more readily accessible to those who need it, including those outside of government, and permitting analysis that was not previously possible. Some of this potential is already being exploited by the government; for example, municipal authorities in Mandalay are proudly embracing their reputation as a “smart city,”7 implementing a computerized traffic-control system, among other projects.8 existing processes but to rethink and revise current practices. Instead of automating a current type of data collection, perhaps the government will decide it no longer needs to collect that data. The transition to digital data solutions is far from a clear path, however, and there are significant risks as well as opportunities. Myanmar is at an early stage in exploiting the possibilities of e-government,9 and the reality is that most government ICT projects fail.10 Digitalization can be expensive and time consuming, and ultimately may not offer value for money if reforms are unsuccessful or do not serve a clear priority. While data is critical to the future of Myanmar, and the transition to an increasingly digital data ecosystem presents tremendous opportunities, it is vitally important that policymakers making the transition be supported in ways that build and maintain trust in data and that contribute to the development of a culture of evidence-based policymaking. A starting point for supporting policymakers is ensuring that they understand Myanmar’s current data ecosystem and the opportunities and challenges therein, as well as potential digital data solutions. The introduction of new digital systems and solutions, however, is a valuable opportunity not just to automate Discussions of e-government and digital data solutions may overlook a critical aspect of the data ecosystem: the human dimension. In designing and introducing new systems, policymakers must pay close attention to the data literacy and skills of the intended users in government, so that they can make the most of reforms. Perhaps most importantly, it is critical that policymakers trust the data that is put in front of them. Regardless of how good the data is, it will have little impact if it is not trusted.