Here the analyst creates a plan that sets out how to achieve the purpose and questions that need answered. It helps highlight any assumptions and known limitations of the proposed approach. It will also take account of any previous or related analysis.
This may be merged with the Scoping documentation and will also include:
Data to be used
Methodology including techniques and tools and models
Approaches to identify, quantify and communicate uncertainty
Assumptions, accuracy, limitations and caveats
Ethical, Information governance and data security considerations
Outputs
Timescales and resources
Analytical quality assurance activities
A prototype could be created at this stage.
The analyst should ensure that they have applied the RIGOUR principles to the plan. They should develop the plan with a mindset that their work will be shared.
The plan should be agreed, written and shared with the Commissioner, Subject Matter Experts and all relevant stakeholders. It may evolve.
If the Commissioner considers the analysis or model to be Business Critical, it must be logged with the Data Science, Advanced Analytics and Statistics team. They will add to the public register.