What it’s really like to work on a cross-government task and finish group
Recently, I was part of the Government Statistical Service (GSS) Web Dissemination Platform Task and Finish Group. Groups like this bring together people from all over government who want to make things better for everyone, not just their own department.
For this task and finish group, the brief was simple: figure out how the GSS could have a common publishing platform to share statistics more effectively and suggest practical next steps. Easy, right? But it wasn’t just about statistics or platforms—it was about people, culture, and how everyone worked that needed figuring out more than anything. The real challenge is pulling all those differences together before you can see a pathway forward.
I’ve been in a few of these cross-government groups (and some international ones) before, and every time, what really stands out is the diversity of experiences. Some run large-scale platforms, or are experts in their fields, and then others have limited time/resource to spare. These differences come up fast in every conversation. But they don’t make things harder or strained—they actually spark an enthusiasm to keep building together. It also makes you more aware of something that’s easy for you could be challenging for someone else, and sometimes their simple fixes have really made me ask, “why didn’t I think of that?”
Our meetings were always thorough. We picked apart ideas, debated, and started over more than once. These groups have encouraged me to think differently and more broadly—money, politics, culture, technology, all of it. The experience has helped me to question my assumptions and realise what works for the Office for National Statistics (ONS) or me might not elsewhere. It might seem an odd and foolish thing to feel, but leaving your departmental bubble can open your eyes to where your expertise and resource sits compared to others.
As we work through the challenges, problems, and opportunities, progress can feel slow. Obstacles like conflicting deadlines, budget considerations, different external and internal procedures, or just the sheer scale of what we are aiming for can sometimes feel insurmountable. But honestly, these challenges are needed to make ideas work at scale and for everyone.
The best part is meeting people who do similar roles in totally different settings. Learning about how others manage their systems or work with differing levels of digital support has given me a new appreciation for their challenges and lots of ideas to bring home. It is also funny to see the reactions when others hear we face the same challenges – they just don’t believe it – there’s a perception others have it all sorted!
Honestly, it is an odd relief to hear that similar problems are faced everywhere. It brings home the fact these are really tough problems to solve! It also reminds me that we don’t always need to reinvent things or do things on our own; there’s a whole network to learn from out there.
The biggest thing I learned? Collaboration opportunities are everywhere, and people really care. They are happy to give their time to help you out, willing to put in extra time to make things better for others, and happy to share their experience and learnings. All you have to do is ask.
What is delivered at the end is important, but the connections and shared understandings are just as valuable. If you join future groups, you’ll likely see the same people again, and those acquaintances become allies. That’s what makes teamwork smoother each time, and it helps build a network of people you can rely on to act as a sounding board or learn from in future.
If you get the chance to join a cross-government group, especially in the GSS, take it. You’ll build your network, gain new insights and perspectives, and see your day job in a whole new way. Trust me, it can be hard, but it’s worth it.
Darren Barnes, Office for National Statistics