User Journey Map
Welcome to the Analysis Function User Journey Map
For an accessible version of the content contained within this image please see the “All analysts orange line” and “Senior leaders and DDANs Blue Line” expandable boxes below, where all “stations” appearing on the map are written and described in html text format.
This is a guide to help you explore the Analysis Function offer and learn more about the Analysis Function, how we can support you and your department, and the resources and opportunities you can access.
To get started, simply choose the line most appropriate to your role, the station nearest to where you think you currently are (or are most interested in), and head in the direction of your choosing. You will travel through different zones, and the User Journey Map is circular to reflect our commitment to continuous improvement, refreshing our knowledge of key information, and lifelong learning.
The Analysis Function User Journey map has two user journeys or ‘lines’.
- I’m looking to develop my analysis skills: For all members of the Analysis Function, take the All Analysts Line (the ‘Orange Line’)
- I’m a leader in analysis: If you are a Departmental Directors of Analysis (DDANs) or other senior leader in analysis, we’d recommend starting on the Senior Leader and DDAN Line (the ‘Blue Line’)
Plan your Analysis Function journey
Pick a line and a station, and start your journey, heading in either direction.
Find more detail on any of the following content on Boosting your success: support for all analysts and Leading with impact: support for all leaders in analysis.
If you’re not yet a civil servant or are interested in becoming a government analyst and joining the Analysis Function, you should start by visiting our Civil Service Careers page
I’m looking to develop my analysis skills, professional network, and community
- The Analysis Function website: The first place to visit to find out about the Analysis Function, is the Analysis Function website
- Analysis in Government Strategy Hub: Find new support for all analysts and senior leaders, plus guidance, resources, and more
- AF Newsletter: Subscribe to the monthly AF Newsletter to have news, views, and opportunities for government analysts delivered directly to your inbox (and you can sign up for our LinkedIn version too)
- AF Learning Curriculum: As a function, we aim to provide our people with the learning and development opportunities to meet their potential. The AF Technical Learning Curriculum sets out the best and most relevant learning and development opportunities available to you as a government analyst.
- Career Framework: Our Career Framework aims to showcase the roles available, raise awareness of the skills, skill levels, and experience needed to work successfully in different roles across the Function. It can also be used to produce personalised and ambitious Personal Development Plans (PDPs).
- Role Profiles and Career Pathways: Covering various analysis roles, we outline typical role responsibilities, the core skills needed for the role, and a sample career path. Role Profiles cover a wide range of roles and levels of seniority, right up to Head of Profession (HoP)
- Jobs: Find your next job in government analysis by using this pre-filtered link. Please note you may have to be signed in to see all vacancies. Not yet in the Civil Service? Then go to our Civil Service Careers site for more information
- Career stories: Get inspired by our analyst career stories. Based on the career histories of government analysts and aim to showcase the variety of entry points and career progression routes available, including Apprenticeships, Fast Stream programmes, and ‘mainstream’ recruitment.
- Case Studies: Stories that show what ‘good looks like’ across government analysis. There are also many articles and blogs you can read to learn from your government analyst community
- AF Standard: The Analysis Function Standard sets expectations for the planning and undertaking of analysis across government to support well-informed decision making
- Guidance Hub: Containing resources and reference information to help you with all aspects of your analytical work. You can use the filters to sort guidance resources by profession, type, or theme
- Colour Books: Find out more about the government ‘Colour Books’, including the Aqua Book, Teal Book, Orange Book, and more
- Evaluation Support: We have lots of guidance and resources to help develop your evaluation skills and support you in evaluating your work effectively
- AF Champions: Additional opportunities for professional development. Our AF Champions Group aims to strengthen cross-government communication, collaboration, and innovation. If your department doesn’t yet have an AF Champion, get in touch
- Specialist Champions networks: To find out more about groups focused on AI, Rapid Analytical Pipelines (RAP), Data Linkage and more, get in touch
- Mentoring: There are various opportunities to be mentored or become a mentor across government. Check out opportunities within your department or profession. To promote any mentoring opportunities in your area, drop us a line at Analysis.Function@ons.gov.uk
- Loans and secondments: In addition to the advice and resources we have on loans and secondments, we are happy to promote development opportunities available in your area through our newsletter, website, and social media. Get in touch with us with any loan and secondment opportunities, and we’ll promote them across the community
- Volunteering: In addition to the volunteering opportunities we publish on our website, you might like to consider taking up some of the brilliant opportunities available to support the Analysis Function directly by volunteering to:
- Help with the Analysis in Government (AiG) Awards sift (Autumn/Winter)
- Support AiG Month or other events by hosting or providing technical support to presenters (May)
- Becoming an AF Champion (throughout the year)
- We are happy to promote development opportunities available in your area through our newsletter, website, and social media. Get in touch with us with any volunteering opportunities at Analysis.Function@ons.gov.uk
- Innovation Hub: Information about the guidance and support available to help you work more innovatively in your department, and examples of how innovative techniques have been applied within government. We also hold AF Focus events throughout the year with a host of guest presenters from across government
- Analysis in Government (AiG) Awards: Celebrating excellence in analysis across six categories, the AiG Awards open for nominations in September with winners announced in January
- Analysis in Government (AiG) Month: The UK’s largest learning and development event for government analysts takes place every May
- Online community: You can connect with us on LinkedIn at Gov Analysis Function and follow us on X @gov_analysis, and we’re also currently trialling AF Basecamp. Sign up to our newsletter to find out about new chances to join the Basecamp trial
I’m a leader in analysis
Senior leaders and Departmental Directors of Analysis (DDANs) are vital to the delivery of the Analysis Function. Whether you are a senior leader yourself, or aspiring to a senior leadership role, you can explore the exclusive support and cross-government opportunities available in the Analysis Function, including participation on boards, and responsibilities for the UK Government’s Colour Books.
- Resourcing Hub: The Hub provides a central place for guidance on resourcing best practice, guidance that encourages consistency in how analytical capacity is managed, and associated materials to support more fluid movement of analysts to meet Government priorities
- Senior Civil Servant (SCS) Capability Framework: The Analysis Function Senior Civil Service (SCS) Capability Framework has been developed through consultation with a range of professions and senior analysts from across government
- Annual Report: Our most recently published Annual Report
- Analysis Function Strategy (2022-25): Our previous strategy for reference
- Senior Leadership support: Resources to support leading with impact
- DDAN Secure Area: A new password protected area of the Analysis Function website just for you. We are asking for DDAN feedback on the page, which could include lists of DDANs, forward looks, actions, and more
- Departmental Directors of Analysis (DDANs) Board meetings: Email us for information on DDAN Board meetings
- DDAN Updates: Email us for more information or to join our exclusive mailing list for DDANs
- AF People Board (and the AF People Shadow Board): Email us for more information or to join