Here we define the question we want to answer with the analysis. The analyst and commissioner need a clear, shared understanding of the questions to be answered. They must also know what can and cannot be achieved.
We need to ensure that the following are agreed, written down and shared with the Commissioner and relevant stakeholders:
Purpose, use of the analysis, and importance of the decision
Users of the analysis
Scope and boundaries and context
Analytical questions
Levels of quality, certainty and quality assurance needed
Dependencies and complexities
How the analysis will be shared - including whether it is is a one-off or regular.
Any previous relevant or related analysis
This may change as insight is gained and the original questions refined. This will inform the analytical plan.
Here we should also decide if the analysis is business critical. Business critical analysis is where:
the analysis informs essential financial and funding decisions
the analysis is essential to the achievement of business plan actions and priorities
errors could lead to significant patient or user impacts or serious financial, legal, reputational damages or penalties
Our current Business Critical analyses are published here.
If analysis is Business Critical it needs to have a single Senior Responsible Owner (SRO). This person may also be the Commissioner.