Strategic communication
Strategic communication in government
Strategic communication puts audience understanding at the heart of policy and service design, resulting in better decision-making and improved delivery.
Our standards: strategic communications
The strategic communications function guide identifies the core functions of a strategic communication team and key principles of structure and practice.
Our standards: evaluation and insight
Evaluation and insight are two of the key functions of strategic communication.
Evaluation
Evaluation allows us to assess campaign performance in delivering objectives. As GCS, it’s vital that we demonstrate the impact of what we do and ensure that our work is as effective as possible.
Insight
Insight is drawn from information and data, and is used to drive thinking and guide actions. Our aim is to make government communications as effective as possible.
Data
Using performance analysis and data science in government is key to improving government efficiency. Government data is a critical resource that government communicators need to use to measure the success of their work and activities.
Data science community
If you work in the public sector and are a data scientist, or have an interest in data science, join the data science community.
Guidance and publications
The National Data Strategy (NDS) is an ambitious, pro-growth strategy that drives the UK in building a world-leading data economy while ensuring public trust in data use.
Blueprint for a modern digital government: A long-term vision for digital public services, a 6-point plan for reform, and the role of the new digital centre of government led by Government Digital Service.
Learning and resources
Start learning at your own pace and build the skills you need, using our curriculum. You can also engage with our strategic communication blogs and resources.
Digital, Data and Technology essentials for senior civil servants (SCS)
The ambition is to “have the best people leading and working in government to deliver better outcomes for citizens”. These Government Digital and Data essentials identify how senior civil servants can meet the demands of this modernisation plan.
Read the Digital and Data essentials for senior civil servants.
Data training
- Data science training: Data science courses available in the public sector includes the programmes of the Data Science Campus
- Civil Service Learning training:
Government Analysis Function (AF) learning curriculum
Analysis Function colleagues who have a specific training need, and who are able to commit the time to complete training, apply for an account. Visit the Government Statistical Service (GSS) website for information about the courses available.
Data resources
- Automatically produce best-practice spreadsheets (blog)
- Data in government blog
- Government Digital and Data blog. Government Digital and Data is the community of experts leading digital transformation. The Government Digital Service leads the Government Digital and Data function for government.
- Market Research Society (MRS) community of research, insight, analytics and marketing sciences professionals
- The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is an independent producer of official statistics and its recognised national statistical institute
- The Government Statistical Service (GSS) is a community for all civil servants working in the collection, production and communication of official statistics
- Find open data: Find data published by the central government, local authorities and public bodies to help you build products and services
- Explore our online learning