Big data is just two words and yet these two words are driving hysteria throughout the known world at a level not seen since Y2K. We supposedly create 2.5 quintillion bytes of data every day now and at this rate we can conclude that 90% of the data in the world today has been created in the last two years alone. This does sound apocalyptic as it suggests that we could drown in data far before global warming floods our coastal cities into oblivion. Are we being rational? I think not and this calls for an explanation.

A little over a month ago, I highlighted the differences between Big Data and data from ten years ago. I also covered how Big Data solutions unlock new approaches to turning data into information and information into knowledge that can be acted upon. Now, let’s take a closer look at some ways that Big Data might be exploited in the public sector (and in some cases is already being exploited). These examples may help to trigger specific ideas for leveraging Big Data to address your agency’s mission.