Abstract

Statistics with Purpose: Embedding User Needs at the Heart of Statistical Practice
“To deliver value, relevance, and impact, we must first understand what our users truly need.”
This presentation explores how a user-centric approach can transform the way statistical organisations define, deliver, and demonstrate value. In a landscape shaped by constrained budgets, rising expectations, and growing competition from alternative data sources, the relevance of official statistics depends not only on their technical quality but on their alignment with the real-world needs of users.
By embedding user needs into the heart of statistical practice, provides a shift from producing data for its own sake to delivering insight that matters. This presentation will reflect on how internal processes, priorities, and decision-making must evolve to ensure that outputs are shaped by a deep understanding of user expectations—from policymakers and researchers to journalists, businesses, and citizens.
This presentation will consider:
What it means to truly understand user needs in diverse contexts
How organisations can reframe their role as providers of public value
Why traditional metrics may fall short in capturing impact
What new approaches are needed to assess and enhance relevance