Analysis Function Continuous Improvement Hub

Continuous Improvement benefits current and future functional work, the management of government as a whole, and helps achieve government outcomes.

It promotes innovation and the take up of improved practice, and enables functions to develop insight and provide thought leadership in government. It helps organisations to avoid repeating mistakes.

Continuous Improvement in the Analysis Function

The Analysis Function Continuous Improvement priorities are to:

Generate and assess new ideas and innovations.
Invest time and concentrate on those ideas with the most potential.
Share skills and knowledge across the government analysis community, and the wider Civil Service.

A word from our sponsors

“The hub is the latest way we want to inspire us all across the Analysis Function to share innovative ways to drive continuous improvement – drawing on the 17,000 great minds and diversity of thought across the community.”

Adrian Richards and Jane Whittaker

Adrian and Jane are the Work Stream Sponsors of the Government Analysis Function and Directors of Knowledge, Analysis and Intelligence (KAI) at HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Calendar of Continuous Improvement events

The Analysis Function works with stakeholders across government and beyond to deliver a regular programme of events that are driven by Continuous Improvement.

Analysis in Government Awards

The Analysis in Government (AiG) Awards celebrate excellence in analysis. This incorporates:

Awards Day
Celebration Day
the Analysis Function “People’s Choice Award”

These events are held in January and February each year. The events serve to:

recognise achievement from our membership
celebrate some of the best and most important analytical work going on across government
create opportunities to learn from the award-winning case studies

Analysis in Government Month

Analysis in Government Month (AiG Month) takes place every May. It is the largest learning and development event for government analysts. AiG Month is “like Civil Service Live for government analysts” and offers something for everyone. Each year AiG Month offers:

interactive live events
demonstrations
panel sessions
hackathons
blog posts
quickfire interviews with interesting analysts
a wealth of useful learning suggestions and resources

Continuous Improvement is central to AiG Month. The event is growing in terms of quality as well as in size and reach. In 2023, with the help of more than 20 departments and teams, we sold more than 11,000 tickets for 35 live events, each with distinct learning outcomes.

AiG Month brings the Analysis Function community together and builds capability, with 80% of attendees said they learned new skills they could use in their day jobs.

Civil Service Live

This is a fantastic annual opportunity for the Analysis Function to engage with colleagues across the Civil Service…in person! We have a presence at Civil Service Live (CS Live) every summer, because we think it is important for all civil servants to continuously improve their analysis skills. Whether you work in Policy, Operational Delivery, or elsewhere, we all need a better understanding of analysis; what is involved, how to do it, and how to interpret the results. Read more about the sort of important analysis skills for all civil servants that we share at CS Live.

Innovation Showcase

This is a regular opportunity for government analysts to learn from the most innovative analysis work going on across the Civil Service.

Continuous Improvement case studies

The following case studies demonstrate successful Continuous Improvement activities across the Civil Service:

Continuous Improvement resources

There are many resources to help you with Continuous Improvement, including:

accessibility guidance to help you make sure the results of your analysis are accessible to all
careers guidance to help you take the next step in your career or continuously improve your team, visit our Careers page and new Resourcing Hub
evaluation support to help you assess your work and make improvements
events — visit our Events page to find out about analysis events going on across government and find all our bookable events on Eventbrite
an induction pack — this is currently being created with support from the AF Champions network and will provide a place to start if you are new to the Function
learning and development resources to help you improve your skills and support your career progression — this includes training courses and learning pathways
the Resourcing Hub — this provides all the information and guidance recruiters in government analysis need
the Analysis Function Standard — this sets out the standards that government analysts and analysis must meet

The Analysis Function community is also a valuable resource for Continuous Improvement. Whether you want to ask a specific question of your Analysis Function community, find an analyst working on similar work, or just want to join in the conversation, there are many ways to connect. You can:

Bright Ideas Scheme

Do you have a Continuous Improvement idea?

Good analysis leads to evidence-based decisions, and who better to identify areas where we can make positive changes than the Analysis Function community?

Do you have a brilliant idea to improve analysis where you work? Is there a new tool, or way of working you think could make a difference to you and your colleagues? Could just a small change make a big difference?

If you have a bright idea, we want to hear about it!

Email us at Analysis.Function@ons.gov.uk telling us:

The issue you want to address
Why you think it needs to change
What you think should change
Any evidence of what that change would achieve

The best ideas will be taken forward for discussion and could turn into an official Continuous Improvement suggestion, for which we would ensure you receive recognition for!