It's not new to say that the public sector should make better use of its data. "We used data and information in a way we've never done before," said Vijith Randeniya, chief fire officer at West Midlands Fire Service in 2009 after the brigade began using data to profile file locations in order to use its resources more effectively.
Many organisations have made big leaps in their use of performance management and business intelligence systems but as cuts bite, a greater use of data analytics in the public sector could result in public bodies using such techniques not just to respond to cuts but also to produce long-term improvements in public services and has huge potential for pinpointing efficiencies.
Times also move on quickly when it comes to technology and the combination of fiscal retrenchment, technological innovation and a commitment to more transparency across the whole of government could see many public managers taking another long, hard look at using analytics.
We are running a Q&A on this topic, sponsored by Deloitte, on Friday 30 September, between 12-2pm. Post your comments and questions for our expert panel on your experience and how a better understanding of data analytics can help your organisation.
Panel
Costi Perricos is a partner in Deloitte's consulting practice and leads its public sector analytics practice. He is also author of the insight on tap report.
Paul Clarke is an open data expert and consultant and has worked on projects for Directgov, the London Datastore and the Department of Health. He is also the author of How I Would Fix data.gov.uk
Rory Campbell is responsible for using operational intelligence and data analysis to guide strategic decision making and resource planning in the West Midlands Fire Service.
Mark Say is editor of Guardian Government Computing and has been covering the public sector's use of IT for more than 10 years.
Ben Unsworth is senior performance and research manager (intelligence) at Surrey county council and describes himself as a "local government data/research/performance nerd".
Judy Aldred is managing director of data analysis company SSentif and former programme manager for the NHS Information Authority and Connecting for Health. She was also deputy director of information at Solihull PCT.
Neil Bradford is deputy head of Featherstone High School, an 11-16 Sports and Vocational College in Southall, with over 1100 students, mostly of Asian and African ethnicity.
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