The scale of the financial challenges facing the public sector is such that it’s not sufficient for individual organisations merely to become as efficient as they can. Rather, they need to find ways to collaborate to address issues at a larger scale. The Offices of Data Analytics (ODA) aims to achieve this by helping local authorities marshal and act upon their data to save money and improve outcomes.
We are working closely with local partners to scope viable data-driven projects, build information sharing agreements, collect data, perform analysis and measure results. We are currently piloting an ODA project in Essex, and have completed pilots in London and the North East. Our London pilot has led to the establishment of a permanent London Office of Data Analytics.
Through events such as our City Data Analytics conference, a roundtable we held on public sector data innovation, and our workshops with local authorities and other public sector partners, we also help convene a community of innovators and support those wishing to make smarter use of their data. These events will soon be complemented by the publication of Nesta’s Data Practice Guide.
