March 2023 Data Snapshot
March 2023 Data Snapshot
State Agency Officials
This month, we spotlight a report on the Lifeline Program, which is dedicated to making phone and internet more affordable to those in need. We also highlight a new resource page available on DOM's recently redesigned website, and introduce a new playbook for calculating simple moving averages. We also point you to resources available from the Minnesota IT Services to make your visualizations more accessible.
Be sure to check out live training sessions available in March to improve your data skills, and as always explore the on-demand training options.
News, Updates & Tips
Spotlight: Iowa Lifeline Program in Iowa
data.iowa.gov
The Lifeline Program is dedicated to making phone and internet service more affordable for low-income households. This report highlights the number of low-income subscribers supported and support dollars disbursed by the program beginning in January 2018. Data is updated monthly based on a national dataset provided by the Universal Service Administrative Company.
New Resource Page on DOM Website
dom.iowa.gov
The Department of Management recently launched a new updated website, and with it came a new resource page for state officials working with data. On this page, you have access to forms, guidance, procedures, and playbooks relevant to the Enterprise Data Platform.
Open Enterprise Data & Analytics
New Playbook: Calculating a Simple Moving Average
This playbook walks a user through creating a simple moving average (SMA) using the SoQL editor in the exploration canvas. A SMA calculates the average of a selected range of values by the number of time periods in that range. Where data tends to have a lot of variation, a SMA can knock out the peaks and valleys and smooth the data to help see general trends.
Data Visualization Accessibility
Minnesota IT Services (MNIT)
MNIT has published resources to help ensure that data visualizations are accessible to everyone. They provide resources on how to design accessible visualizations in Tableau with proper use of fonts, colors, legends, alternative text, and more. They also provide best practices for projects in Tableau and Power BI, and information on how to do accessibility testing for your project.
Live Training in March
Get trained in March! The table below highlights the live training available to state employees with an account on Iowa Data.
| Date | Start Time | Course |
|---|---|---|
| March 1 | 3 PM | Create and Manage Your Dataset |
| March 3 | 12 PM | Transform Data with Socrata Query Language |
| March 6 | 12 PM | Explore Data with Charts |
| March 8 | 3 PM | Map Your Data |
| March 10 | 3 PM | Create Performance Measures |
| March 13 | 12 PM | Tell a Story with Perspectives |
| March 15 | 3 PM | Collaborate with Enterprise Data |
| March 17 | 12 PM | Data Analysis Tools and Connections |
| March 20 | 12 PM | Shape & Join Data in the Exploration Canvas (Open Data) |
| March 22 | 3 PM | Shape & Join Data in the Exploration Canvas (Enterprise Data) |
View on demand training & access the training portal (Log-in Required).
Data Assets
Browse the catalog on data.iowa.gov. The catalog allows for searching, filtering, and sorting of available data assets, which is important as the number of assets available to the public continues to grow. Learn how to use the catalog.
Questions or Issues?
Please complete the Data Portal Question & Issue Form
How do you like this Month's Snapshot?
Help make this newsletter better; provide your feedback.
Follow Us on Twitter
We are known to tweet. Follow us at @IowaData on Twitter.