EURIM
Value of Information Subgroup
The importance of information, the current state of play
Audit Commission, In the
Know: Using information to make better decisions, Feb 2008
The overall theme of the report
is that better use of information in decision making leads to better public
services. It identifies growing pressure in government to demonstrate
evidence based decision making (eg FoI, DPA). Uses findings from past audit
reports to identify a direct correlation between councils assessed as making
good use of information and overall CPA ratings.
Highlights that improving
information for Performance management is the main driver for Councils but that
is insufficient because indicators track progress but often necessarily inform
decisions (eg because they do not analyse root causes).
Provides
generic examples of the type and level of decisions where better information
is essential (eg Strategy, Scrutiny, Management, Engagement) and gives
specific examples of good practice (eg Welsh ambulance service) and bad
practice (eg Soham, Shipman). Also provides a list of principles for public
sector managers and notes that there is a shortage of the key skills required
in public sector.
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