Strategic Planning for Statistics in
Australia
PARIS21/UNESCAP Forum on Strategic Planning for
Statistics in South-East Asian Countries
– Bangkok, June 2006
Geoff Neideck
Director, Corporate Planning
Australian 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 Assessing User Needs

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?
ABS Planning Cycle - Overview
Environmental scanning
Corporate Plan/Strategic Directions
May
July-Aug
September
April
User input
Management Meeting
New spending proposals
Management Meeting
Final Decisions on Proposals
Forward Work Program
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




Operating budget – surplus/deficit
Capital plan



Government appropriation
sale of goods and services
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