Use data to inform decisions

This standard is about using operational, technical and people data to inform decisions that support reliable, safe and effective operations. You determine the data you need, gather and analyse information and evaluate operational performance, workforce capacity, challenges, business goals, threats, opportunities and changes in conditions. You communicate clearly, promote inclusion and shared understanding and support colleagues to interpret and use data in their work. You use data to inform decisions, adapt your approach when conditions change and maintain accurate records. You apply relevant leadership, management and data-analysis theories and models to strengthen data-informed decision-making. 

This standard applies to managers and leaders at all levels across all sectors.

1. Determine the operational, technical and people data relevant to your area of responsibility to support informed decision-making. 
2. Determine the information you need to interpret operational, technical and people data accurately and proportionately. 
3. Gather and analyse operational, technical and people data from relevant sources to support effective decision-making. 
4. Analyse operational, technical and people data to evaluate operations, workforce capacity, challenges, business goals, threats, opportunities and changes in conditions. 
5. Communicate and adapt your communication and behaviour in ways that uphold dignity, inclusion and colleagues’ participation when discussing data and its implications. 
6. Evaluate risks highlighted by operational, technical and people data to support safe and reliable decision-making. 
7. Evaluate opportunities highlighted by operational, technical and people data to support improvement and innovation. 
8. Use data to inform decisions that support effective operations, services and projects. 
9. Recommend actions that support improvement based on operational, technical and people data. 
10. Monitor the working environment to identify changes that may affect the relevance, accuracy or interpretation of data. 
11. Respond constructively to concerns raised by colleagues about data or decisions in line with organisational procedures to maintain trust and progress. 
12. Monitor behaviours that may affect data-informed decision-making and respond in line with organisational procedures to maintain a positive working environment. 
13. Maintain accurate records that support data analysis, reporting and decision-making. 
14. Review and adapt how data is used to inform decisions in response to changing conditions, stakeholder feedback or identified improvements. 
15. Apply relevant leadership, management and data-analysis theories and models to strengthen data-informed decision-making. 
16. Reflect critically on your performance and behaviour to identify improvements in how you use operational, technical and people data.

1. The meaning and purpose of operational, technical and people data in your area of responsibility. 
2. The factors that influence the relevance, accuracy and interpretation of operational, technical and people data, including data quality, bias and AI-enabled or automated tools, and how data affects organisational outcomes. 
3. How to determine and gather the data you need to inform decisions from relevant sources. 
4. How to analyse operational, technical and people data to evaluate operations, workforce capacity, challenges, business goals, threats, opportunities and changes in conditions. 
5. How to communicate in ways that support inclusion, dignity and shared understanding during data discussions. 
6. How to adapt your communication and behaviour to support colleagues’ participation in data-informed decision-making. 
7. How to evaluate risks using operational, technical and people data and take proportionate action. 
8. How to evaluate opportunities using operational, technical and people data to support improvement and innovation. 
9. How to use data to inform decisions that support effective operations, services and projects. 
10. How to respond constructively to concerns raised by colleagues about data or decisions in line with organisational procedures. 
11. How to maintain accurate records that support data analysis, reporting and decision-making. 
12. How changes in the working environment influence the relevance, accuracy and interpretation of data and when escalation is required. 
13. How to recognise behaviours that may affect data-informed decision-making and how to respond in line with organisational procedures. 
14. How to review and adapt how data is used to inform decisions in response to changing conditions, stakeholder feedback or identified improvements. 
15. How leadership, management and data-analysis theories and models can strengthen data-informed decision-making, and how to reflect critically on your performance to identify opportunities for improvement.

The following values underpin this standard. They are integrated throughout the performance criteria and knowledge and understanding requirements and inform how individuals approach their work, make decisions and interact with others.

• Integrity - acting consistently with organisational values when using data to inform decisions.
• Openness - sharing information to support shared understanding.
• Inclusion - valuing diverse perspectives when interpreting data.
• Responsibility - taking ownership of the data you use and the decisions you inform.
• Respect - treating colleagues with dignity when discussing data or decisions.
• Stewardship - using data responsibly to support effective and ethical decision-making.

The following behaviours underpin this standard. They are integrated throughout the performance criteria and knowledge and understanding requirements and inform how individuals approach their work, make decisions and interact with others.

• Act with integrity, aligning data-informed decisions with organisational values.
• Be inclusive, valuing diverse perspectives when interpreting data.
• Act with respect, treating colleagues with dignity and supporting psychological safety.
• Communicate openly, supporting clarity and shared understanding.
• Encourage participation, enabling colleagues to contribute meaningfully to data-informed decisions.
• Take accountability for owning your role in data-informed decision-making.
• Consider wellbeing, recognising how data processes affect colleagues’ workload, participation and engagement.