Key Statistics/Performance Indicators and Targets - Matrix (SCOSTAT 8/03)
Aim
1. The ScotStat Board is asked to consider the information contained in a matrix on key statistics, targets, milestones and performance indicators which exist across the Scottish Executive and other organisations, with a view to assessing the contribution it can make to the thinking of the range of information available.
Issues for discussion
2. Members are invited to comment on;
- the usefulness of the matrix in it's current form
- scope for further expansion
- if/how to make available more widely (SE, other organisations, SCOTSTAT)
- how this informs thinking on key statistic/PI/target guidance
Background
3. The ScotStat Board has been taking forward thinking on how it can assess the contribution it can make to the thinking of the range of key statistics, targets, milestones and performance indicators, which exist across the Scottish Executive and other organisations. As an initial part of this thinking, the Board asked the ScotStat Board Support Group to collate information provided by committees on the range of existing indicators in which their committee has an interest.
4. It was expected that such a matrix should assist in the understanding of the range of targets, duplication, inconsistencies etc, and provide a catalyst for thinking about action/guidance cold usefully be developed to aid the monitoring/development of future indicators. A related thought was that the list of targets and indicators could eventually be made publicly available on the ScotStat web site, together with available metadata, and could be used within the Executive and other organisations to help to avoid future duplication of targets/indicators.
Compilation of a matrix of key statistics, targets, milestones and performance indicators
5. Each committee was provided with a template which included a complete list of both Building a Better Scotland targets (BABS) and Social Justice Milestones (SJMs) and were asked to supply information relating to relevant BABS targets and SJMs. Each committee was also asked to add other Key Statistics, targets, milestones and performance indicators in which they had an interest (within and outwith the Executive).
6. The information collected from those committees, which provided details of key statistics, targets, milestones and performance indicators, is provided in the Excel spreadsheet entitled
SCOTSTAT 8-03.xls
7. Board members should note that this matrix is a starting point, and does not attempt to provide a comprehensive list of all key statistics etc across the SE and other organisations.
Contents of a matrix of key statistics, targets, milestones and performance indicators
8. The spreadsheet contains the following three tabs:
Matrix: provides details of the key statistics etc in which the committees are interested
Programme: provides an explanation of the abbreviations used to describe the programme.
Abbreviations: provides an explanation of any other abbreviations used by each committee
9. Looking at the matrix, the columns of the spreadsheet are divided into three main sections: the first (columns A to J) gives details of the target itself, the second (columns K to V) contains information on those targets which each committee is interested and the third section (columns W to AB) contains information on ownership, quality assurance etc. The column headings for a committee for which no data is yet available, is shown in red. Please note that although 'Health and Care - Care' and 'Health and Care - Health' have been identified separately on this matrix, they are in fact one ScotStat committee.
10. The key items of information on the matrix are as follows:
Programme (col. B): This will refer to the programme under which a particular set of key statistics etc was prepared e.g. BABS. Clicking on the 'Programme' tab gives a key to the abbreviations used to describe the programmes.
Target (col. I): A description of the key statistic, target, milestone or performance indicator in question.
National Statistics Theme (col. J): The National Statistics theme into which a key statistic etc would naturally fall.
Owner (col. X): Identifies the 'owner' of a key statistic etc. Note that the Transport and Travel committee have provided separate information on the 'owner' of the Target/indicator and the 'owner' or supplier of the figures. This information is given in columns Y and Z).
Quality Assurance (col. AA): Any quality assurance to which a key statistic etc is subjected.
11. There are two main ways in which the matrix can be used:
i) To look at a particular key statistic etc: by looking at a particular key statistic etc, look at the committees which have identified an interest in this key statistic etc to identify any duplication or gaps and
ii) To look at a particular committee: by looking at the information provided by a particular committee (by using the filter option on the column name), look at the key statistics etc in which a particular committee is interested.
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
JUNE 2003