Special feature: GAD role in Analysis in Government month 2021
Analysts play a key role in leading government projects and supporting government decision making. To celebrate this work, the Government Analysis Function is set to hold its first Analysis in Government month in May, and GAD will be a key contributor.
This special feature explores the value of analysis in government decision making, GAD’s role, and how you can get involved in the Analysis in Government month.
To receive updates and information on GAD’s Analysis in Government month celebrations, sign up here.
Analysts across government
The Analysis Function includes people who work in an exceedingly diverse range of roles. From actuaries to geographers, social researchers to economists, and operational researchers to statisticians. Analysts provide the keystone of information which underpins government decision making.
At GAD we are proud to be part of this 17,000 strong group who tackle the many complex issues which impact the public today. The breadth of skills and experience that make up our analytical community ensures the right expertise is always available to respond to any given problem. And we collaborate in multi-disciplinary teams to produce bespoke and innovative solutions to challenges faced by the public sector.
Recently, the COVID pandemic has brought the key role of analysis in government decision making even further to the fore. Data analysis, statistics and future scenario planning have all featured heavily in government briefing sessions and have been central to the government’s formation of our roadmap out of lockdown. GAD has played an ongoing role in this, including secondments to support the NHS’s ‘test and trace’ programme, in collaboration with analysts, data scientists and data engineers.
Analysis at GAD
When it comes to GAD’s work, ‘analysis’ is an umbrella term which covers the large array of work across different specialities we undertake each day. We don’t just produce actuarial analysis, advice and assurance. We also produce complex financial risk modelling and advice across many issues facing the public sector.
We recognise the need to take this complex analysis and communicate it to policy makers in a clear and comprehensive way. This is essential to enable data-driven decision making, which results in better decisions and improved outcomes for the public.
Some recent policies or projects featuring GAD’s expertise include:
- helping with the development of the UK space flight industry
- reporting on how disaster risk financing can do more with less
- helping establish the new Contingent Liability Central Capability function for government
Communicating and partnering
Central to these projects and all projects at GAD is communication, collaboration and partnering. This means being able to engage with our clients throughout a project to understand their needs, priorities and timescales.
GAD succeeds in this through collaboration with appropriate specialists within the Analysis Function, using the expertise available within government. We also emphasise clear and concise communications for policy makers. And through all of this, we retain a focus on efficiency and quality, to provide value for money.
At GAD we believe we are successful at communicating and partnering, and our client feedback demonstrates this. In fact, GAD was highly commended for our work in client communications in the inaugural Analysis in Government Awards 2020.
Analysis in Government month – celebrating analytical work
The importance of analytical work will be featured in detail when the Government Analysis Function holds its first Analysis in Government month in May this year. The month will feature analysis focused blogs, handouts, webinars and more, with input from GAD throughout.
At GAD, we are delighted to be leading on the ‘Users of Analysis’ strand that forms a key part of the month. This strand will bring together analysts and policy makers, to highlight the value in the work that analysts do and encourage greater collaboration across government.
And keep an eye out for ‘GAD takeover day’, when we will take over the Analysis Function’s social media accounts to share stories and insights about our work at GAD.
Everyone across the Civil Service is welcome and encouraged to take part, and you can sign up here to be kept updated on our plans.
A Civil Service for the future
At GAD, while our actuaries are working hard to build risk management and analytical expertise, we are aware this is not enough in isolation. Evolving government challenges require us to do more than maintain and enhance our technical expertise. We must also develop our communications to ensure we share insights with policy makers in a clear and accessible way.
GAD’s role in the forthcoming Analysis in Government month aims to encourage and facilitate collaborative working between analysts and policy makers. This emphasises our ongoing commitment to improve the partnering service we provide to our clients, as well as a desire to encourage best practice throughout the wider analytical community.
For policy makers and analysts alike, working together is essential to reach our goal of creating a Civil Service which is ready and able to meet any challenges which arise in the future.