Services that matter
Annual report of the Department of Service & Innovation 2024
Data Service
The role of Data Services is to create value from data by promoting its effective use. It also provides consultation on data and statistical topics, ensures access to accurate data, and helps shape the City's data policy.
Data Services 2024
Data governance: Ensures residents and staff have access to accurate and reliable data.
Data science: Handles complex data analyses. This includes statistical analysis, reporting, and the development and implementation of AI models.
Data dissemination: Tells the story behind the data in a simple, clear, and understandable way. Places strong emphasis on digital access to data.
Goals and importance of Data Services
The main goal of Data Services is to build data literacy and promote purposeful use of data across the City. By ensuring the right data is available to the right people at the right time, Data Services supports informed decision-making and improves services for residents, staff, and businesses.
There is a strong emphasis on developing user-friendly solutions that are accessible to all, regardless of education, nationality, or social standing. People shouldn't need to be data experts or public administrators to benefit from the City's data—whether for practical use or for fun.
To achieve these goals, Data Services works on building solid data infrastructure and transforming data recording and handling practices. This is necessary to support other departments and ensure that data is used effectively and responsibly in the City’s administration and services.
Future vision
- Reduce waste and improve use of data
- Increase transparency in administration and simplify processes
- Ensure clearer accountability and standardized data use
- Improve access to information and promote better decision-making
- Continue developing user-centered solutions that support data-driven governance and better services to residents.
Artificial intelligence
There are major opportunities in leveraging data, especially in the context of implementing artificial intelligence in City operations. Although significant progress has been made in data utilization and dissemination, many opportunities remain untapped.
Artificial intelligence uses data to learn and perform tasks that would otherwise require human intervention. Artificial intelligence depends entirely on data, making it essential to ensure the quality of that data through reliable data infrastructure, data accuracy, and education.
Data projects are extensive and impact all of Reykjavík’s operations, serving as a key component in the City’s overall data architecture development, increased efficiency, transparency, and decision-making.
Year's priorities
In 2024, we placed special focus on improving data oversight, simplifying access, and reducing the time staff spend gathering information for decision-making. We also increased efforts to prepare operations for potential use of artificial intelligence and the opportunities it offers.
Main challenges:
- Large and complex IT environment with vast amounts of data
- Lack of oversight over data and data flows
- Significant time and effort required by staff to access and use data
- Lack of standardized recording, processes, and data governance across the City
Main tasks:
Data warehouse
We worked on developing a central data warehouse for the City where data is standardized, cleaned, and made accessible for staff and administration. The goal of the data warehouse is to ensure efficient use of data and support better decision-making.
Reykjavík’s data landscape
We worked on mapping and organizing data flows within the City to facilitate data sharing and access across departments. We also focused on ensuring data accuracy, quality, and security.
Terminology glossary
Common terms and standards for data recording were defined to ensure consistency in data use and interpretation.
Information page and polling station search
Routing algorithms from Reykjavík’s geographic information system (LUKR) calculated the best walking route from each home address to its designated polling station.
The information page featured an interactive interface where users could view their polling station, main walking and bus routes, and information on polling wards, electoral commissions, meetings, and other election-related content. In 2024, there were 24 polling stations in Reykjavík, making it worthwhile to look up the correct location to avoid going to the wrong one.
Procedures and use of Power BI (PBi)
Procedures for using Power BI within the City were developed to improve data visibility and analysis for policy and operational decisions.
Data dashboard and open data portal
Work continued on making the City’s data publicly accessible and strengthening Reykjavík’s open data policy.
The data dashboard serves as a platform for sharing where users can explore open City data and read plain-language analyses. Users can also browse open datasets via the data portal, download data, and apply it in various projects.
New waste collection calendar
An updated waste collection calendar was launched during the year. Collection dates now update automatically based on changes from the waste collection service, without the need for manual input.
The calendar has a new, more user-friendly layout, offers detailed information by address, and shows nearby public recycling bins with route directions from the home. Users can also access printable QR codes for homeowners’ associations and other useful purposes.
Predictive modeling
Work was done on developing predictive models to support City decision-making, including for planning and expanding school districts.
Data dashboards for the City’s internal and external operations
During the year, focused work was done to make data more accessible for City staff. Numerous dashboards were developed, most of them created in Power BI. They offer a clear overview of current status, support decision-making, and allow staff to act promptly when needed.
Examples of dashboards developed:
- New presentation of the City's open finances
- Reykjavík budget in Power BI
- Dashboard for the City’s hiring committee
- Bin counting model for waste collection
- Management dashboard in Power BI
- Gendered financial analysis of technical equipment