A Data-Centric Approach to the US Census

There might be a better, knowledge management-based, way to conduct the US Census, according to a group of university researchers. Consider for a minute whether the best way to collect important data is to mail 125 million (or so) paper forms, often to "Current Occupant," and to then follow up with humans carrying clipboards and ringing doorbells. You probably would conclude that it's a lot of work and a process likely to result in the collection of incomplete or inaccurate data. Then, you'll update that data only every 10 years: Lots can change in 10 years. Yet, you will use the collected data to determine things like how your congressional representatives will be elected, how federal funds are allocated to local schools, even where new roads will be built and public transportation offered.