Public Bodies Governance Conference 8 March 2013Evidence-based decision making – getting it right!

Brian Baverstock

What is evidence based decision making?

EBDM – a practical view

Q – what is EBDM in the context of “making a difference”?

A – it’s about making the right difference!i.e. spending your time, expertise and energy on the right things!

The wrong things!

How to focus on the right thingsn Remember your role:

n Long-term (mission, strategy and planning)

n Monitoring performance (against strategic objectives)

n Stay strategic:n Boards govern, executive managen Agenda as the strategic gatekeeper n If not, good governance and good

management will suffer

EBDM – an approach

STAGE 1

STEP BACK

STAGE 2

PROCESS

STAGE 3

REVIEW

STAGE 1 – STEP BACKStrategy test – does the subject of the decision fall within the purpose and strategic objectives of the organisation and is it strategic or operational ?

Competence test – does the Board have the necessary competencies/skills to understand the issues relating to the subject matter and the implications of the decision?

STAGE 2 – PROCESS (1)Benefits test – are the reasons for and benefits from the decision clearly set out – what’s being fixed (and why) and what will success look like?Options test – are options identified and assessed?Evidence test – is the supporting information and arguments clearly set out and convincing?Resource test – are the full (short and long-term) resource implications clearly set out?

STEP 2 – PROCESS (2)Risks test – are the risks, including equality impact assessment, clearly set out?Time test – does the agenda allow sufficient time for discussion (more than one meeting might be needed)?Delegation test – is it clear how and when implementation is to happen and whether all or part has been delegated to the executive?

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=cartoon+images+of+getting+a+decision+wrong&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=J-kHtXsYEfFLtM&tbnid=FzqxZurlkH3dxM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://jimbonham.com/blog/decisions-and-choices-in-life/&ei=xZIwUcb3H4-X0QW20oHgDg&bvm=bv.43148975,d.d2k&psig=AFQjCNGIR8Q2ZCTdMzIiLEfywrwDBd3ZHA&ust=1362223798919848

STAGE 3 - REVIEWImpact test – is it clear how and when success and impact will be assessed and reported back to the Board?

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=cartoon+images+of+getting+a+decision+wrong&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=zvmIcGRt067wSM&tbnid=0lR8YZLvwID9WM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://priyankasriraghavan.blogspot.com/&ei=Y5MwUZuLNciV0QWP94CYCQ&bvm=bv.43148975,d.d2k&psig=AFQjCNGIR8Q2ZCTdMzIiLEfywrwDBd3ZHA&ust=1362223798919848

Tips for avoiding bad decisionsn Spend you time on the right thingn Fit with government policy/directionn Have the right people round the

tablen Disciplined approach to agenda and

discussionn Don’t discount gut instinct, but don’t

rely solely on itn Understand the source of knowledge

presentedn Beware of bias and vested interests

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=cartoon+images+of+getting+a+decision+wrong&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=9rXH_KHD0xJCmM&tbnid=wSIhVZcLnjboSM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://sinkers.org/stage/?m=200909&ei=GpQwUevFEaa50QXaiYDABw&bvm=bv.43148975,d.d2k&psig=AFQjCNGIR8Q2ZCTdMzIiLEfywrwDBd3ZHA&ust=1362223798919848