This chapter aims to give an overview of the wide range of Big Data approaches and technologies today. The data features of Volume, Velocity, and Variety are examined against new database technologies. It explores the complexity of data types, methodologies of storage, access and computation, current and emerging trends of data analysis, and methods of extracting value from data. It aims to address the need for clarity regarding the future of RDBMS and the newer systems. And it highlights the methods in which Actionable Insights can be built into public sector domains, such as Machine Learning, Data Mining, Predictive Analytics and others.