Strategic Framework Guide: New pyramid of data

This report on the new pyramid of data is part of our guide series to “Shaping Our Future: A Strategic Framework for Texas.” The Strategic Framework provides in-depth, cross-cutting data to inform key decisions about the most significant issues facing the state.

The second edition of the Texas 2036 Strategic Framework reflects more than six years of research, analysis, conversations and advocacy that have focused on the most important issues facing the state — issues that will shape Texas’ future quality of life and shared economic prosperity. 

What process did we use for updating the Strategic Framework?

The Strategic Framework’s goals and indicators were first adopted by the Texas 2036 Board of Directors and released in 2020. To update them, Texas 2036 collaborated across all teams within our organization. 

We also included significant input from experts outside of Texas 2036, including meetings with 170 members of the Texas 2036 policy advisory groups, external stakeholders and subject matter experts. Ultimately, more than 150 metrics, and their underlying data, were sourced, analyzed and visualized in support of this effort. 

How did you reformulate the way you measure progress against the goals?

Following the refinement of our goals, we reformulated our performance indicators and metrics to allow for more thorough monitoring of progress and the interrelationships of measures. Metrics had to be publicly available from reliable sources with clear methodologies, and regularly updated to allow for the most up-to-date insights.

What is the Pyramid?

This work resulted in The Pyramid — a new approach to metrics that includes for each goal a primary indicator — a “north star” indicator that best represents progress on that goal. The primary indicator includes, where possible, comparisons between states, breakdowns by key subgroups to track equity and trends over time. 

The Pyramid also identifies leading indicators that can signal where the primary indicator is headed and allow our work to course-correct as necessary. 

Internally, we track how well state policies are being implemented, and we develop our policy and data efforts to advance Strategic Framework goals. 

In this way, the updated Strategic Framework serves as our theory of action, driving our data and policy work in a more deliberative manner through measurable, actionable data points tied to our aspirational goals for the state of Texas.