Matt Barter, 12-Analytics
In today's data-rich environment, turning analysis into actionable strategy is crucial for public sector leaders. Despite advanced statistical techniques and insightful reports, the gap between data and decisive action often remains wide. This blog post explores how to bridge that gap, ensuring that your analytical efforts lead to impactful strategies.
Over the years, I've witnessed remarkable research and analytical work. This includes advanced statistical techniques, excellent charts and graphs, and well-organized explanations. However, too often, despite the quality of the analysis, it fails to translate into actionable strategies addressing the issue at hand.
Informative analysis is valuable, but analysis that drives strategy is essential. A strategy is about taking actions to improve outcomes for those we serve. Our communities expect us to act in response to problems, and effective analysis should guide this action.
When implementing problem-solving efforts in a community, my approach includes an initial data-informed scan of the problem, followed by a deep analysis of the issue. You can read more about my thoughts on both phases here and here . Once these phases are complete, it's time to develop a strategy to solve the problem. Sound analysis should provide context to the issue and highlight the drivers, gaps, shortcomings, or inefficiencies contributing to the problem.
Understanding these critical areas is the first step. The next is consulting the research and evidence. This often involves a literature review to understand what is already known about the problem and its contributing factors.
For policing issues, I recommend starting with scans of these resources:
(Do you have go-to sites for research? Leave a comment below!)
I also use a tool called Research Rabbit to find additional articles. This service connects papers, research, and authors on related topics, allowing you to explore any topic area thoroughly. I organize all the information I collect using Zotero, where I can read and take notes on each article. Research Rabbit also exports directly to Zotero, which is incredibly helpful.
While a literature review can be time-consuming, it is crucial for identifying strategies and interventions that might work in your local context. The literature helps pinpoint "what works" and provides an empirical foundation for the response you want to implement.
With a foundational understanding of other successful (or unsuccessful) strategies, you can develop a response tailored to your local context. Exact replication of an initiative that worked elsewhere might be acceptable, but often, you need to adapt a strategy to fit your community and organization.
Use the evidence base and your analysis to craft a robust strategy. Consider all components of the response, the stakeholders, and the actions you will take. Logic models and workflows can be particularly helpful here. It's crucial to be able to explain why you are implementing the chosen strategy. This ensures that your efforts are grounded in analysis and existing research, and it also aids in securing buy-in from others.
Case Study: Reducing Gun Violence Through Data-Driven Strategies
In my work on gun violence reduction strategies, I've focused on strong analysis and implementing evidence-based strategies. This approach, applied in a medium-sized city, began with a comprehensive deep dive into the data to better understand the gun crime landscape. This initial phase was followed by exploratory analysis to identify the drivers of gun violence and gaps in the current response.
Step-by-Step Approach
Data Analysis:
Conducted an in-depth examination of gun crime data to understand the current situation.
Performed exploratory analysis to pinpoint key drivers and gaps in existing responses.
Literature Review:
Reviewed existing research to identify effective strategies.
The literature highlighted the importance of targeting prolific and repeat offenders who drive gun violence.
Identified community-based interventions for individuals at risk of gun violence, focusing on street outreach and service connection.
Strategy Development:
Implemented targeted efforts to identify and apprehend prolific offenders based on evidence.
Developed community-based interventions for at-risk individuals, leveraging street outreach and service connections.
Enhanced crime gun intelligence to strengthen investigative processes.
Results
All approaches were rooted in evidence and adapted to fit our community context. Over a three-year period, these efforts led to a 14% reduction in shootings and, importantly, a 47% reduction in non-fatal shootings.
Effective strategy development hinges on translating robust analysis into actionable plans. By leveraging existing research and tailoring strategies to your local context, you can ensure your efforts drive meaningful improvements in your community. Remember, the true value of analysis lies in the actions it informs.
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