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