OMB Circulars

Circulars from the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) are formal policy guidance documents that establish uniform standards for fundamental government operations and management. Unlike OMB memos, which address specific initiatives or phases, circulars provide operational frameworks that agencies reference continuously, such as in the development of agency budgets or regulations. For data and evidence-building activities, two circulars are particularly important: A-11 (Preparing, Submitting, and Executing the Budget) and A-130 (Managing Information as a Strategic Resource).

Circular A-11 integrates Evidence Act requirements into the budget process, ensuring that evidence-building activities are resourced and that learning agendas guide resource allocation. Its Part 6, Section 290, now includes detailed information on preparing products such as learning agendas, standards for program evaluation, and how evidence connects to performance management, among other items. 

Circular A-130 establishes the data governance framework that makes evidence-building possible, covering information lifecycle management, privacy protections, security requirements, and open data policies. It designates Chief Information Officers as responsible for coordinating with Chief Data Officers and requires that data governance structures include evaluation and statistical officials

White House Office of Management and Budget

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