The city of Zurich’s department of Environmental and Health Protection (UGZ) has the strategic goal of improving its use of data. We examined the management and use of data in the lifecycle phases of acquisition, storage, processing and usage. We also conducted interviews and a workshop to assess the current situation and identify synergies with other departments. We then used our findings to develop recommendations to the UGZ on a coordinated set of strategic and operative measures for the future data management.