The situation

The desire to work data-driven was already there, but how do you approach that? The municipality had a few key questions:

• How can we ensure teams work independently with data, without relying on a central department?

• How do we safeguard privacy and security within the organization?

• What technology fits our way of working and remains relevant in the long term?

Adoption also played a major role. Even if data is well-organized, its impact remains limited if employees don’t use it or see its value.

The solution

In collaboration with Heroes, the Municipality of Zwolle developed a data platform that fits the organization’s way of working. The platform offers a central, secure environment where data is made accessible to different teams. Data flows through multiple steps—from raw data to reliable information—so users always work with verified, accurate data.

A key part of the approach is the decentralized structure. Instead of creating a central data department, Zwolle chose to leave data responsibility with individual teams. This encourages ownership and ensures data aligns closely with day-to-day operations.

From the start, much attention was given to privacy, ethics, and regulations. “We wanted to be sure that what we’re doing is allowed—legally, ethically, and in terms of security,” says Peter van Capelleveen, strategic advisor and program manager at the Municipality of Zwolle.

The results

The platform is now in use, and the first teams are working with it. This has already led to several key improvements:

• Better collaboration between departments: Data can be shared and combined more easily, for example between social and financial domains.

• Increased data quality awareness: Now that data is used more broadly, there’s greater focus on its accuracy and usefulness. Where data was once mostly used internally within teams, awareness is growing that reliable data is essential when multiple departments work with it.

• A flexible and future-proof working method: Instead of defining everything in advance, the platform is developed step-by-step and adjusted based on the organization’s needs.

What's next?

Now that the platform is live, the municipality is looking ahead. The amount of available data is growing, and with that comes the question: who gets to do what? Zwolle wants to grant more teams access to work with data themselves, but that requires clear agreements about permissions and expertise. What skills are needed to work safely with data, and how is security ensured?

Cost management is also a consideration. The platform uses a pay-as-you-go model—the more it’s used, the higher the cost. Peter: “That’s a completely new way of working for us. You actually want to be happy to pay, because it means the platform is being actively used.”

The role of Heroes

From the beginning, Heroes played an active role in the process. Where other parties might present a rigid plan, Heroes opted for a collaborative approach. This matched Zwolle’s way of working: rather than planning everything in advance, building step by step and adjusting along the way.

Heroes’ knowledge and proactive mindset made the difference. “We truly work together. It doesn’t feel like a client-contractor relationship, but like a shared journey in which Heroes contributed ideas and took initiative from day one,” says Peter.