The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is working to increase capability in coding and the use of software engineering best practice.
We have a dedicated training pathway on Reproducible Analytical Pipelines (RAP).
Our Analytical Standards and Pipelines, Data Science Campus and Reproducible Data Science and Analysis (RDSA) teams support and mentor analytical teams to embed RAP. There remains significant demand for transformation, and we are actively receiving requests for support.
We deploy and promote Analysis Function (AF) and ONS-specific guidance on writing and assuring code, how to define a RAP pipeline that meets minimum standards and AF software tools to support RAP.
Analyst managers will:
Ensure their analysts build RAP learning and development time into work plans
Managers allow analysts doing RAP transformation to dedicate 20% of their time to the project at minimum and to do just in time learning to support the work
Status: In progress. In 2023, 53.2% of analysts reported feeling supported in implementing RAP in their work. This question was only asked of respondents who code at work and have heard of RAP.
Success criteria: Analysts who are implementing RAP at ONS feel supported to do so, as measured in the Coding in Analysis and Research (CARS) survey.
Help their teams to work with Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) professionals to share knowledge
Status: Not started
Analyst managers will:
Build extra time into projects to adopt new skills and practices where appropriate
Managers will allow analysts doing RAP transformation to dedicate 20% of their time to the project at minimum and to do just in time learning to support the work
Status: In progress. In 2023, 53.1% of analysts reported feeling supported in implementing RAP in their work. This question was only asked of respondents who code at work and have heard of RAP.
Success criteria: Analysts who are implementing RAP at ONS feel supported to do so, as measured in the Coding in Analysis and Research (CARS) survey.
Learn the skills they need to manage software
Managers will ensure that all ONS analysts are familiar with RAP guidance and standards and the RAP learning pathway
Status: In progress
Success criteria: ONS teams comply with best practice guidance and use the RAP learning pathway to build their skills.
The Analysis Standards and Pipelines (ASAP) team will develop guidance for managers to help them manage analytical software
Status: In progress. This has been incorporated into the Quality assurance of code for analysis and research (Duck Book).
Success criteria: Guidance is available for managers by the end of 2024.
The ONS RAP community will:
Deliver mentoring and peer review schemes in their organisation and share good practice across government
The ASAP team to facilitate an ONS-wide RAP peer review network
Status: In progress
A peer-review scheme is currently being piloted within one directorate, with plans to roll out wider if successful.
Success criteria: ONS-wide RAP peer review network is up and running by the end of September 2024.
Peer review network to review at least 10 RAP projects during 2024
Status: In progress. This target was not met in 2023 due to resource pressure. The RAP team undertook ninecode reviews throughout 2023, alongside 14 consultancy projects.
Success criteria: ONS RAP peer review network undertakes at least 10 peer reviews by the end of 2024.
Analysts will:
Learn the skills they need to implement RAP principles
Ensure that analysts working on RAP projects have the skills they need to work productively from day one
Status: In progress
Service Level Agreements (SLAs) are in place with teams supported by ASAP to ensure that the right capability is in place. However, capability remains a challenge across ONS.
Success criteria: Analysts on RAP projects supported by the ASAP team complete prerequisite training before starting those projects.
Analysts doing RAP transformation will dedicate 20% of their time to the project at minimum and do just in time learning to support the work as required
Status: In progress
Success criteria: Analysts who are implementing RAP at ONS feel supported to do so.