Tools for Delivery and Success

How to Define the Problem is a toolkit that provides a step-by-step guide to finding information and putting it to appropriate use. It starts out by helping the user to identify the need, and then assists in developing a strategy to meet it. The next step is to establish the evidence

How to Define the Problem is available in full at www.renewal.net

Information on Areas of Town Centre Activity (ATCAs) is published via the State of the Cities Database (SOCD) website, www.socd.communities.gov.uk/socd

The Crime Reduction website contains a toolkit guide to ‘Using Intelligence and Information Sharing’, which includes advice on the protocols that govern information sharing. See www.crimereduction.gov.uk/toolkits

Performance Indicators (PI) and Best Value Performance Indicators (BVPI) are used to measure the success of an organisation and its activities. A reference library of local performance indicators can be found at www.audit-commission.gov.uk

Defra produces a handbook that offers advice on using this data as a management tool, and its website provides a comprehensive and straightforward guide to planning, carrying out and reporting BV199, the local environmental quality performance indicator. For a link to download the guide in full, visit
www.leq-bvpi.com

ENCAMS offers guidance on the collection and analysis of data and on ways of using the results to make genuine improvements. The District Local Environment Quality Survey (DLEQS) monitors local environments and identifies areas that need to be improved, according to an established benchmark for quality cleansing services.

Knowledge-management systems, promoted by the national strategy for local e-government, allow the sharing of information within and between organisations, with beneficial results for community planning, service improvement and decision making activities. One example is the use of Geographic Information Systems which allow the mapping of problem areas and provide a valuable resource for improvement operations and programmes. The drawing together of information from various sources can also highlight links between different activities. Further information is available from www.localegov.gov.uk