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Developing and Monitoring Metrics

Monitoring Government Performance

Government is taking steps to ensure that departments have the capability to manage properly the science and research they conduct and the advice flowing from it. For example, the rolling programme of departmental Science Reviews, which was introduced in 2003,  aim to maintain and improve the quality and use of science across Government.

Science & Innovation (S&I) Strategies
One of the key recommendations in the 2002 Cross Cutting Review of Science and Research was that Government departments should publish Strategy and Innovation (S&I) Strategies, to show how scientific evidence contributes to departmental priorities and Public Services Agreement (PSA) targets. Most Government departments have now published S&I Strategies, with some now putting into place second generation 'Evidence and Innovation Strategies', which cover all evidential streams. Since 2003, the Government Chief Scientific Adviser has also conducted a review of departmental S&I Strategies, focusing on the Strategies' contribution to:

•        policy making and service delivery

•        innovation and wealth creation

•        government-wide knowledge and cross-government challenges

Eight Attributes

In Chapter 8 of the Science and Innovation Investment Framework 2004 - 2014 the Government set out eight attributes for the management and use of science and research in Government. Departments are monitored on how they are performing against the eight attributes and the overall results are reflected in HM Treasury’s annual progress report on the Investment Framework.