Building a Data-Centric Business Ecosystem

We are transforming our approach to creating statistical data products. For centuries statistical agencies mainly relied on surveys to meet the nation’s data needs. Today’s technology allows us to use a wide variety of survey, administrative, and other data--often data we have already collected. This allows us to respond more effectively to the rapidly evolving needs of the nation.  

The four key innovation areas include:

Data Ingest and Collection for the Enterprise (DICE) simplifies data collection
The Frames Program enables us to use our data in more innovative ways
The Enterprise Data Lake (EDL) centralizes data management and processing, enabling more efficient access and use of our data
Census Enterprise Dissemination Services and Consumer Innovation (CEDSCI) makes our data more accessible

Learn More about the Census Business Ecosystem

DICE Overview

Simplifying Data Collection

The Data Ingest and Collection for the Enterprise (DICE) program is a forward-leaning, Census Bureau effort to modernize data collection. The program delivers a suite of systems that can more efficiently manage survey collection and gather existing data from external sources. 

Modernization benefits include:

Simplify Survey Design: Teams have access to a central repository of standard survey content and metadata as well as automated survey design capabilities that allow them to preview questionnaires and materials.
Integrate Response Data Collected through Multiple Modes: Teams can use multiple collection modes including online questionnaires, phone and in-person interviews, paper-based collection, and administrative data ingest to create a single set of response data.
Provide Near Real-Time Collection Status: Teams have near real-time data collection metrics that help them adjust their collection strategies to improve data quality and efficiency.
Enable Earlier Access to Data: Teams are not required to wait for all data collection to be complete before beginning to process and analyze the data.
Improve the User Experience: New user-friendly interfaces and tools for designing questionnaires, interacting with respondents, and managing data collection processes make surveys more engaging and user-friendly for those collecting and responding to surveys.
Deliver Scalability and Cost-effectiveness: Systems are designed to support any size survey, from small quick ones to the Decennial Census, reducing the need for survey teams to make costly technology updates or rebuild systems.