Strategic Planning for Statistics in Australia
PARIS21/UNESCAP Forum on Strategic Planning for Statistics in South-East Asian Countries– Bangkok, June 2006
Geoff NeideckDirector, Corporate PlanningAustralian Bureau of Statistics
Outline
Interactions with Government and Users Environmental scanning Establishing user needs Government funding processes
ABS Internal Planning Planning cycle Corporate Plan, Financial Plan, Forward
Work Program
Environmental Scanning
Political priorities Emerging economic and social
issues Community, academic, private
sector International developments
Determining User Needs
Australian Statistical Advisory Council
Bilateral meetings Statistics user groups Outposted officers Information development plans Assessing level of support for new
work, particularly funding
Australian Statistical Advisory Committee (ASAC)
Provides advice to the Minister and Australian Statistician
Membership from government, business, academia, community
Advise on: Improvements to the Australian
statistical service Long term priorities and work program
for the ABS
Formal Interactions with Government
ABS is in the Treasury portfolio Australian Statistician and ASAC
report to parliament Parliamentary Secretary to the
Treasurer is the responsible minister Government liaison unit
Obtaining Government Support
Involvement in government forums Early involvement in policy
development is preferable Garnering support from other
agencies Building case with central agencies,
particularly Treasury
Understand government funding processes
What are the formal budget processes?
Have an agreed understanding of what the agency is funded for (core funding)
What are the opportunities for funding from other sources Other government agencies International/donors
Funding from other sources
Funder may attach conditions What impact will conditions have on
organisations ability to determine its future directions?
Will it compromise national priorities? Need to retain adherence to statistical
best practice Potential to divert resources & highly
skilled staff from core work
Criteria for Assessing User Needs
Essential criteria Is it consistent with ABS mission and
core role? Is there a contemporary public policy
need? Is the solution fit for purpose? Do we have the capacity to do the
work? (e.g. funds, skilled staff)
Criteria for prioritising competing bids How important is the issue and to
whom? What are the risks and opportunities?
Budget risks Funding support Technology requirements
Does the activity build long-term capability?
Criteria for Assessing User Needs
ABS Planning Cycle - Overview
Environmental scanning
User input
New spending proposals
Corporate Plan/Strategic Directions
Management Meeting
Management Meeting
Forward Work Program
May
July-Aug
September
Final Decisions on ProposalsApril
ABS Corporate Plan - Overview
ABS Mission Statement Objectives Values and People Strategies Performance measures
ABS Corporate Plan - Objectives
An expanded and improved national statistical service
ABS services that are timely, relevant, responsive and respected for their integrity and quality
Informed and increased use of statistics A key contributor to international
statistical activities that are important to Australia or our region
ABS Corporate Plan - Objectives
An organisation that builds capability to continually improve its effectiveness
The trust and cooperation of providers ABS is a respected and strongly supported
organisation
ABS Planning Cycle – Key Principles
Link to Government budget cycle Flexibility to respond to emerging
issues Key decision-making points External views
ABS Planning Cycle – Key Elements
Environmental scanning Strategic directions Bid list Funding options Bid decisions Forward work program
Financial Plan
Revenue Government appropriation sale of goods and services
Operating budget – surplus/deficit Capital plan
property plan (9 offices) asset management
Cash management
Forward Work Program
Overview of the ABS How the ABS makes decisions How the ABS operates ABS strategic directions Information on each program
(e.g. national accounts, labour, health) Objectives Outputs Developments
Strategy and Process Improvement
Internal audits Reviews Customer feedback Project Management Framework
What ABS can do to assist countries in the region
Provide documentation – planning processes, statistical frameworks, etc.
Host study tours Provide in country capacity building
assistance - limited resources, in line with Aust. Government priorities