Our strategic principles
To deliver the vision for ONS, our strategy is to transform our statistical business through a clear focus on people and support for the necessary innovation. This page describes the key strategic principles which we will use in making the vision a reality.
A high-performing statistical business
Demand for high-quality ONS statistics will continue to grow and the resources to meet this demand are limited. To meet this challenge we will improve our performance across all parts of the business.
We will:
- work in partnership with our key customers to understand both their current and future needs
- deliver a prioritised statistical work programme which evolves to meet customer needs and reflects the UK as it changes. Lower-priority activity may need to make way to address new demands
- devote a greater proportion of resources to adding value by analysing our data, improving accessibility and producing easy-to-read reports
- undertake high-quality data collection, emphasising improved efficiency through the use of administrative data, streamlined survey design and integrated sources
- improve respondent trust and goodwill through efficient survey design and developing collection methods
- standardise our processes, systems, and tools where there are business benefits in doing so
- strengthen the way our statistical directorates and our corporate services work together
Statistical leadership
Independence will increase the prominence of ONS.
We will:
- work with partners to improve trust in statistics
- establish statistical standards and best practice to provide a framework for quality production of official statistics
- be active participants in the key statistical activities of the EU, UN, OECD and other international organisations
- maintain formal and informal contacts with other statistics producers to promote our own best practices and to learn from others
A clear focus on people
In our constantly changing environment, our abilities to make difficult decisions, manage change, and lead, manage and support others will be critical to our success.
We will:
- enhance our employee policies and practices to allow us to retain and recruit the staff we need
- develop our skills and competences to undertake our roles more effectively and better equip us to embrace and deliver change
- develop our capabilities to provide the right mix of expertise to deliver the business
- recognise those who uphold our values
- recognise the value and importance of a diverse workforce that feels valued for its contribution
- treat people with respect and dignity
- communicate more effectively, engage more fully, listen and seek feedback
People leadership
Strong leadership will be essential to achieve our vision.
All managers in the organisation will:
- build effective teams, encourage talent, motivate individuals and promote diversity
- be personally accountable, act corporately and deliver results
- communicate openly, transparently, with objectivity and consistency, whether the news is good or bad
- seek to improve business operations, through better use of resources and technology, and improved processes
- provide effective leadership, giving clear direction, setting objectives, dealing with difficult situations and championing new ways of working
Senior managers in the organisation will be visible and available to staff.
Targeted innovation
Innovation is essential for us to thrive in a fastchanging world. We must constantly review what we produce, and how we produce it.
We will:
- focus on innovation that produces cash savings to reinvest to meet new demands, or that builds on the quality of our outputs
- build a framework to encourage and deliver innovation, allocating a proportion of our budget for new developments
- encourage ideas to be put forward and strengthen the skills required to translate innovative ideas into business benefits
- work with partners who can add to our knowledge
