Performance analyst

Find out what a performance analyst in government does and the skills you need to do the job at each level.

Published 7 January 2020

Contents

— What a performance analyst does
— Performance analyst role levels

— 1. Associate performance analyst
— 2. Performance analyst
— 3. Senior performance analyst
— 4. Lead performance analyst
— 5. Head of performance analysis

— Roles that share performance analyst skills

What a performance analyst does

A performance analyst conducts analysis. In this role, you will develop performance measurement frameworks - Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), goals, user needs and benefits - and analyse the performance of a service or product against these, adapting your approach and framework appropriately and in line with any changes.

Performance analyst role levels

There are 5 performance analyst role levels, from associate performance analyst to head of performance analysis.

The typical responsibilities and skills for each role level are described in the sections below. You can use this to identify the skills you need to progress in your career, or simply to learn more about each role in the Government Digital and Data profession.

1. Associate performance analyst

An associate performance analyst is an entry-level role requiring numeracy and some experience in analysis or data handling.

At this role level, you will:

have the aptitude to learn to use analytical tools and produce standardised reports and charts
start by working on projects with limited scope under the guidance of performance analysts and more senior role levels, replicating existing analysis and data techniques
progress to greater independence (where appropriate)
have the opportunity to develop an understanding of the wider analytics context, tools and techniques
be responsible for the accuracy and quality of data and analysis, and how they are used
engage with the performance analysis community

This role level is often performed at the Civil Service job grade of:

EO (Executive Officer)
HEO (Higher Executive Officer)

Skill	Description
Analysis and insight Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: understand and work with colleagues to apply core techniques for analysis and insight present clear insights that colleagues can understand and use
Communicating analysis and insight Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: understand the appropriate media to communicate findings shape and share communications relevant to the audience give tactical recommendations
Performance measurement Level: awareness Awareness is the first of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: explain the importance of performance measurement and business objectives
Technical understanding (performance analyst) Level: awareness Awareness is the first of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: show an awareness of analytical tools and technologies, and can use some of them show an awareness of digital technology, and have an understanding of what it involves and its impact
Understanding analysis across the product life cycle Level: awareness Awareness is the first of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: describe the importance of performance measures, their relation to business objectives and how they vary at different stages of the product life cycle
User-centred analysis Level: awareness Awareness is the first of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: show an awareness that everything we do is focused on the user of the product or service
Verification and validation of data and analysis Level: awareness Awareness is the first of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: understand basic data issues and can check that the data and analysis look right understand the concept of data being fit for purpose, and the context of the data show that you know the right questions to ask, are curious, and adopt an analytical mindset when approaching a problem perform data preparation and cleansing with guidance
Working within constraints (performance analyst) Level: awareness Awareness is the first of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: show an awareness of ethical and operational constraints

You can:

understand and work with colleagues to apply core techniques for analysis and insight
present clear insights that colleagues can understand and use

You can:

understand the appropriate media to communicate findings
shape and share communications relevant to the audience
give tactical recommendations

You can:

explain the importance of performance measurement and business objectives

You can:

show an awareness of analytical tools and technologies, and can use some of them
show an awareness of digital technology, and have an understanding of what it involves and its impact

You can:

describe the importance of performance measures, their relation to business objectives and how they vary at different stages of the product life cycle

You can:

show an awareness that everything we do is focused on the user of the product or service

You can:

understand basic data issues and can check that the data and analysis look right
understand the concept of data being fit for purpose, and the context of the data
show that you know the right questions to ask, are curious, and adopt an analytical mindset when approaching a problem
perform data preparation and cleansing with guidance

You can:

show an awareness of ethical and operational constraints

2. Performance analyst

A performance analyst has a strong understanding of a wide range of sources and analytical tools needed for the project they are working on.

At this role level, you will:

be responsible for the performance analysis in your given area
help the project team measure and assess outcomes (for example, what good looks like and how it will be measured)
help to plan and ensure project delivery
find opportunities to share information with the project team, community colleagues and others
work independently, but know to seek guidance when necessary
be adaptable in applying analysis techniques to new contexts, especially when acting as the sole representative for performance analysts on a project
create a performance measurement framework for a project with the wider team, including identifying reporting requirements, advising on procurement, implementation and validation of tools to deliver against these requirements
be responsible for the accuracy and quality of data and analysis, and how they are used
be engaged with, and actively contribute to, the performance analysis community

This role level is often performed at the Civil Service job grade of:

HEO (Higher Executive Officer)
SEO (Senior Executive Officer)

Skill	Description
Analysis and insight Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: understand and help teams to apply a range of techniques to analyse data and provide insight be proactive and present compelling findings that inform wider decisions apply innovative approaches to resolve problems
Communicating analysis and insight Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: understand the appropriate media to communicate findings shape and share communications relevant to the audience give tactical recommendations
Performance measurement Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: participate in discussions determining which performance measurements are appropriate, with guidance from more experienced colleagues demonstrate experience in turning business needs and goals into performance measures
Technical understanding (performance analyst) Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: show an understanding of the core technical concepts related to the role, and can apply them
Understanding analysis across the product life cycle Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: understand how the needs of the team and product vary across the product life cycle ensure the team is measuring performance as appropriate for the relevant service standard phase manage the delivery of services or products at different phases plan and look at data requirements in future phases
User-centred analysis Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: use quantitative and qualitative data about users to turn user focus into outcomes deliver analysis and information that addresses stakeholder needs and provides recommendations effectively collaborate with user researchers and other user-focused professions guide others on approaches to understand user stories
Verification and validation of data and analysis Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: identify appropriate ways to collect, collate and prepare data decide if data is accurate and fit for purpose perform data preparation and cleansing with limited guidance
Working within constraints (performance analyst) Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: identify, understand, communicate and work within constraints challenge the validity of constraints ensure that standards are being met show an understanding of security and data privacy

You can:

understand and help teams to apply a range of techniques to analyse data and provide insight
be proactive and present compelling findings that inform wider decisions
apply innovative approaches to resolve problems

You can:

understand the appropriate media to communicate findings
shape and share communications relevant to the audience
give tactical recommendations

You can:

participate in discussions determining which performance measurements are appropriate, with guidance from more experienced colleagues
demonstrate experience in turning business needs and goals into performance measures

You can:

show an understanding of the core technical concepts related to the role, and can apply them

You can:

understand how the needs of the team and product vary across the product life cycle
ensure the team is measuring performance as appropriate for the relevant service standard phase
manage the delivery of services or products at different phases
plan and look at data requirements in future phases

You can:

use quantitative and qualitative data about users to turn user focus into outcomes
deliver analysis and information that addresses stakeholder needs and provides recommendations
effectively collaborate with user researchers and other user-focused professions
guide others on approaches to understand user stories

You can:

identify appropriate ways to collect, collate and prepare data
decide if data is accurate and fit for purpose
perform data preparation and cleansing with limited guidance

You can:

identify, understand, communicate and work within constraints
challenge the validity of constraints
ensure that standards are being met
show an understanding of security and data privacy

3. Senior performance analyst

A senior performance analyst looks to delegate, automate or upskill others in analysis where possible and appropriate, provide leadership within their team and proactively use analysis to improve services.

At this role level, you will:

potentially manage one or more performance analysts
be proficient in a wide range of tools
ensure the team is equipped with the required skills according to the strategy set out by the head of performance analysis
be skilled and experienced at carrying out the day-to-day activities of a performance analyst, including setting up performance measurement frameworks
carry out increasingly complex analysis, working with other teams where necessary
actively contribute to the performance analysis community within your department or organisation, while forging links with other analytical disciplines

### Technical specialist

As a technical specialist senior performance analyst, you would look to develop tools and techniques to aid others in analysis. You would be responsible for the accuracy and quality of data and analysis, and for how data and analysis are used.

This role level is often performed at the Civil Service job grade of:

SEO (Senior Executive Officer)
G7 (Grade 7)

Skill	Description
Analysis and insight Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: understand and help teams to apply a range of techniques to analyse data and provide insight be proactive and present compelling findings that inform wider decisions apply innovative approaches to resolve problems
Communicating analysis and insight Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: turn complex data into compelling, clear and actionable stories share data communication skills with the team and across government present analysis and visualisations in clear ways to communicate complex messages communicate negative and positive information to stakeholders give tactical and strategic recommendations
Performance measurement Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: lead the development of performance measurement frameworks including Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) demonstrate a deep understanding of business goals and can turn these into tangible performance measures
Technical understanding (performance analyst) Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: show a deep understanding of the technical concepts required for the role and understand how they fit into the wider technical landscape understand the limitations of digital technology
Understanding analysis across the product life cycle Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: apply experience in multiple parts of the product life cycle recognise when to move forward and when to stop recognise the appropriate deliverables and engage the right people to meet them work with other Agile delivery disciplines throughout the product life cycle plan and proactively engage with stakeholders at the appropriate stage of the project identify which tools and techniques should be used at each stage
User-centred analysis Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: understand the difference between user needs and desires of the user demonstrate experience in meeting user needs across a variety of channels integrate digital analytics with qualitative data, such as user surveys and user research, to develop hypotheses for testing offer recommendations on the best tools and methods to use
Verification and validation of data and analysis Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: set up a system to get data ready for use and specify how data should be cleansed and prepared bring data together from different sources and communicate the limitations of data peer-review colleagues’ outputs to ensure quality
Working within constraints (performance analyst) Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: work with and challenge senior stakeholders prioritise and mitigate constraints and can turn them into an advantage adapt the approach according to constraints demonstrate a good knowledge of security and data privacy

You can:

understand and help teams to apply a range of techniques to analyse data and provide insight
be proactive and present compelling findings that inform wider decisions
apply innovative approaches to resolve problems

You can:

turn complex data into compelling, clear and actionable stories
share data communication skills with the team and across government
present analysis and visualisations in clear ways to communicate complex messages
communicate negative and positive information to stakeholders
give tactical and strategic recommendations

You can:

lead the development of performance measurement frameworks including Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
demonstrate a deep understanding of business goals and can turn these into tangible performance measures

You can:

show a deep understanding of the technical concepts required for the role and understand how they fit into the wider technical landscape
understand the limitations of digital technology

You can:

apply experience in multiple parts of the product life cycle
recognise when to move forward and when to stop
recognise the appropriate deliverables and engage the right people to meet them
work with other Agile delivery disciplines throughout the product life cycle
plan and proactively engage with stakeholders at the appropriate stage of the project
identify which tools and techniques should be used at each stage

You can:

understand the difference between user needs and desires of the user
demonstrate experience in meeting user needs across a variety of channels
integrate digital analytics with qualitative data, such as user surveys and user research, to develop hypotheses for testing
offer recommendations on the best tools and methods to use

You can:

set up a system to get data ready for use and specify how data should be cleansed and prepared
bring data together from different sources and communicate the limitations of data
peer-review colleagues’ outputs to ensure quality

You can:

work with and challenge senior stakeholders
prioritise and mitigate constraints and can turn them into an advantage
adapt the approach according to constraints
demonstrate a good knowledge of security and data privacy

4. Lead performance analyst

A lead performance analyst manages junior performance analysts at any level, co-ordinating teams or groups of related analysts.

At this role level, you will:

assist, take forward and influence the strategy as determined by the head of performance analysis, including data implementation and data architecture
remove blockers and act as an escalation point for important issues
be an ambassador for analytics across communities, departments and government
be responsible for the accuracy and quality of data and analysis, and of how data and analysis are used
proactively share knowledge and promote a data-driven culture, as a leader in the community
coach and mentor senior performance analysts, performance analysts and associate performance analysts

This role level is often performed at the Civil Service job grade of:

G7 (Grade 7)
G6 (Grade 6)

Skill	Description
Analysis and insight Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: understand, teach and supervise a wide range of analysis techniques help organisations create and learn from strategic insights apply innovative approaches to resolve problems
Communicating analysis and insight Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: communicate relevant, compelling stories using the most appropriate medium make complex recommendations at a tactical and strategic level present analysis and visualisations in clear ways to communicate complex messages communicate negative and positive information to stakeholders
Performance measurement Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: oversee the development and consistency of performance measurement frameworks across multiple projects ensure that these frameworks are aligned to business needs and strategy
Technical understanding (performance analyst) Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: identify opportunities to use new digital technologies to enhance analytical capability in alignment with business goals
Understanding analysis across the product life cycle Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: develop sustainable support models identify and deal with potential risks across or between all stages of the product life cycle coach others contribute to the assessment of other teams, providing guidance and support as they move through the product life cycle phases lead and champion best practice, and identify improvements to current approaches
User-centred analysis Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: give direction on which tools or methods to use bring insight and expertise to how user needs have changed over time and ensure that they're met apply strategic thinking to the problem of how to provide the best service for the end user consider the political strategy and implications of any analyses and insights
Verification and validation of data and analysis Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: show a deep understanding of relevant data sources, tools and systems use appropriate approaches for verifying and validating data and analysis influence senior stakeholders over data approaches coach and mentor others
Working within constraints (performance analyst) Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: influence, challenge and coach others anticipate how constraints might change and know where to challenge or remove constraints demonstrate a very strong knowledge of security and data privacy describe and work within environmental constraints, finding the most appropriate solution for users

You can:

understand, teach and supervise a wide range of analysis techniques
help organisations create and learn from strategic insights
apply innovative approaches to resolve problems

You can:

communicate relevant, compelling stories using the most appropriate medium
make complex recommendations at a tactical and strategic level
present analysis and visualisations in clear ways to communicate complex messages
communicate negative and positive information to stakeholders

You can:

oversee the development and consistency of performance measurement frameworks across multiple projects
ensure that these frameworks are aligned to business needs and strategy

You can:

identify opportunities to use new digital technologies to enhance analytical capability in alignment with business goals

You can:

develop sustainable support models
identify and deal with potential risks across or between all stages of the product life cycle
coach others
contribute to the assessment of other teams, providing guidance and support as they move through the product life cycle phases
lead and champion best practice, and identify improvements to current approaches

You can:

give direction on which tools or methods to use
bring insight and expertise to how user needs have changed over time and ensure that they're met
apply strategic thinking to the problem of how to provide the best service for the end user
consider the political strategy and implications of any analyses and insights

You can:

show a deep understanding of relevant data sources, tools and systems
use appropriate approaches for verifying and validating data and analysis
influence senior stakeholders over data approaches
coach and mentor others

You can:

influence, challenge and coach others
anticipate how constraints might change and know where to challenge or remove constraints
demonstrate a very strong knowledge of security and data privacy
describe and work within environmental constraints, finding the most appropriate solution for users

5. Head of performance analysis

The head of performance analysis leads the performance analysis community, acting as the point of contact between the community and the business.

At this role level, you will:

remove blockers and act as an escalation point for important issues
set the performance analysis strategy with input from lead and senior performance analysts
be responsible for defining a framework for quality assurance within performance analysis
champion performance analysis and performance analysts, working with colleagues across government and other Government Digital and Data communities and analytical professions
manage the organisation’s performance analysis capability through business planning, development and recruitment

This role level is often performed at the Civil Service job grade of:

G6 (Grade 6)

Skill	Description
Analysis and insight Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: understand and help teams to apply a range of techniques to analyse data and provide insight be proactive and present compelling findings that inform wider decisions apply innovative approaches to resolve problems
Communicating analysis and insight Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: communicate relevant, compelling stories using the most appropriate medium make complex recommendations at a tactical and strategic level present analysis and visualisations in clear ways to communicate complex messages communicate negative and positive information to stakeholders
Performance measurement Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: oversee the development and consistency of performance measurement frameworks across multiple projects ensure that these frameworks are aligned to business needs and strategy
Technical understanding (performance analyst) Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: identify opportunities to use new digital technologies to enhance analytical capability in alignment with business goals
Understanding analysis across the product life cycle Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: develop sustainable support models identify and deal with potential risks across or between all stages of the product life cycle coach others contribute to the assessment of other teams, providing guidance and support as they move through the product life cycle phases lead and champion best practice, and identify improvements to current approaches
User-centred analysis Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: give direction on which tools or methods to use bring insight and expertise to how user needs have changed over time and ensure that they're met apply strategic thinking to the problem of how to provide the best service for the end user consider the political strategy and implications of any analyses and insights
Verification and validation of data and analysis Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: show a deep understanding of relevant data sources, tools and systems use appropriate approaches for verifying and validating data and analysis influence senior stakeholders over data approaches coach and mentor others
Working within constraints (performance analyst) Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels	You can: influence, challenge and coach others anticipate how constraints might change and know where to challenge or remove constraints demonstrate a very strong knowledge of security and data privacy describe and work within environmental constraints, finding the most appropriate solution for users

You can:

understand and help teams to apply a range of techniques to analyse data and provide insight
be proactive and present compelling findings that inform wider decisions
apply innovative approaches to resolve problems

You can:

communicate relevant, compelling stories using the most appropriate medium
make complex recommendations at a tactical and strategic level
present analysis and visualisations in clear ways to communicate complex messages
communicate negative and positive information to stakeholders

You can:

oversee the development and consistency of performance measurement frameworks across multiple projects
ensure that these frameworks are aligned to business needs and strategy

You can:

identify opportunities to use new digital technologies to enhance analytical capability in alignment with business goals

You can:

develop sustainable support models
identify and deal with potential risks across or between all stages of the product life cycle
coach others
contribute to the assessment of other teams, providing guidance and support as they move through the product life cycle phases
lead and champion best practice, and identify improvements to current approaches

You can:

give direction on which tools or methods to use
bring insight and expertise to how user needs have changed over time and ensure that they're met
apply strategic thinking to the problem of how to provide the best service for the end user
consider the political strategy and implications of any analyses and insights

You can:

show a deep understanding of relevant data sources, tools and systems
use appropriate approaches for verifying and validating data and analysis
influence senior stakeholders over data approaches
coach and mentor others

You can:

influence, challenge and coach others
anticipate how constraints might change and know where to challenge or remove constraints
demonstrate a very strong knowledge of security and data privacy
describe and work within environmental constraints, finding the most appropriate solution for users

Role	Shared skills
Data governance manager	Communicating analysis and insight
Digital portfolio manager	Communicating analysis and insight

Performance analyst

What a performance analyst does

Performance analyst role levels

1. Associate performance analyst

2. Performance analyst

3. Senior performance analyst

4. Lead performance analyst

5. Head of performance analysis

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Performance analyst

What a performance analyst does

Performance analyst role levels

1. Associate performance analyst

2. Performance analyst

3. Senior performance analyst

4. Lead performance analyst

5. Head of performance analysis

Roles that share performance analyst skills

Is this page useful?

Thank you for your feedback