Shared intelligence: databanks, real people and decisions

We don’t often have the right data on changing need in local areas, and what charities are delivering. Official statistics are often used, but they are slow: when the situation changes in real-time, Government can be slow to recognise it. Charities and other stakeholders are often ahead of Government in identifying emerging social problems through their engagement with communities and their own data. And when social sector data is combined with that from the public and private sectors, the quality of the picture improves. Collectively, we have a wealth of insight which we can repurpose to support the decisions charities and funders have to make.

NPC is one of many organisations experimenting with open source databanks and dashboards to triangulate data and map patterns of need and demand. But datasets are just one form of intelligence. Individuals’ testimony and anecdotes, frontline staff experience, and other organisations’ insight are critical to making sense of data, drawing out meaningful narratives, and answering questions that help with resourcing decisions.

We are asking:

• What models for shared intelligence are emerging in the UK and beyond, and what could they offer the social sector?
• Is triangulation between data sets and other forms of intelligence possible at a collective level, to support needs or situation analysis, and how scalable is this?
• What are the barriers and enablers to more inclusive situation analysis, at sector and organisational level?
• What infrastructure would be needed, and how could this be coordinated?

Through our rethinking data programme we are exploring these ideas, and ways ahead for the social sector.

At this roundtable we will draw on leading thinking, and your experience, to explore these questions and consider the implications for charities and funders. This event is hosted by NPC’s Associate Director of Data and Learning, Rosie McLeod, and Principal of Data, Rosario Piazza. Places are limited so sign up today.

This event is part of NPC’s Rethink, Rebuild programme which is helping charities and funders to rethink how the social sector works, and rebuilding together as we emerge from our shared Covid-19 crisis – places are limited so sign up today to reserve your spot.

You can see some of NPC’s early thinking in these areas on our NPC Labs website.

This event is the second in a series of two events on rethinking data, sign up to 'Inclusive data: charting a course on 28th May here.