Purpose & Strategic Importance
Good use of data enables National Societies to observe and understand trends over time, identify challenges in plan implementation, and build evidence for decision-making. Regular data collection and analysis strengthens management, governance, and ultimately, effective leadership.
Principles
- Helps leaders track trends and anticipate changes.
- Provides a basis for evidence-based decision-making.
- Builds a culture of strategic analysis across the organisation.
- Supports both environmental scanning and organisational development.
Activities & Decisions
- Establish systems that ensure data is collected consistently.
- Analyse information not only as a snapshot, but to see patterns over time.
- Integrate findings into leadership discussions, so decisions are informed by evidence rather than assumptions.
Examples & Learning
“In our experience, gathering insights from branches would benefit from a more systematic approach. We have strong ambitions, but not always the right tools to achieve them. The same branches tend to participate, which is valuable – but we want broader representation. We’re exploring ways to make engagement more diverse and accessible. For example, we tested a digital discussion forum to create a new, more inclusive way of involving branches in strategic and organisational development.”
By embedding ongoing data gathering and analysis into everyday work, National Societies strengthen their capacity for strategic thinking and ensure that decisions remain relevant and adaptive.
