Statement of Service Performance for the year ended 30 June 2009 - Output Class 3: Intelligence assessments on developments overseas

Description

This class output involves:

• producing intelligence assessments on political, economic, scientific, environmental, strategic, and biographic subjects overseas affecting New Zealand's interests
• collecting, collating, evaluating, and analysing information that is used in the production of these assessments.

The use of effective planning and coordination processes in government can manage the risks of certain adverse events occurring, and can lessen their effect if they do occur. The department is responsible for assessing, monitoring, and responding to threats of any kind in a timely and structured way.

Output Class 3: Financial Performance

30.06.08		30.06.09	30.06.09
Actual $000		Actual $000	Main Estimates $000	Supplementary Estimates $000
3,339	Revenue - Crown	3,482	3,399	3,482
-	Revenue - Other	2	-	2
3,339	Expenditure	3,378	3,399	3,484
-	Surplus	106	-	-

Output Class 3: Service Performance

	2008/2009
Performance Measures	Actual Standard	Budget Standard
The assessments of developments overseas are high-quality, accurate and succinct	100% of assessments were factually correct.	100% of assessments are factually correct.
	At least 90% of assessments required no more than minor revision.	90% of assessments require no more than minor revision.
	Stakeholder survey indicates high satisfaction.	Feedback from key stakeholders is positive.
The assessments are of policy relevance to New Zealand	Stakeholder survey indicates high satisfaction.	Feedback from key stakeholders is positive.

Output Class 3 Service Performance: External Assessments Bureau (EAB)

Objective: To ensure the effective provision of high-quality, accurate and succinct assessments of overseas developments that are of policy relevance to New Zealand.

Performance

There were no instances of significant factual errors being reported in papers that had already been issued.

In a few instances, readers (particularly in New Zealand diplomatic missions overseas) provided additional information, insights and interpretations subsequent to the publication of papers, especially for biographic reports. (EAB generally seeks such input before publication as part of its established process of consultation to improve the quality of its assessments.)

Limits on the length of papers continued to be enforced strictly and EAB continues to strive for a high level of readability.

A priority this year was in seeking guidance and feedback on the incoming Government's requirements. The indications were that stakeholders did not require radical changes to reporting, and that they continued to find value in the range of reporting types that EAB produces – biographical reports; short, quick-response items; and longer items on "big-picture", "cross-cutting" issues. EAB did, however, adjust the balance of its portfolio assignments in order to refocus on the incoming Government's external policy interests and to remain as responsive as possible to the needs of its readers.

During the reporting period:

• The National Assessments Committee (NAC) approved 61 (2007/08: 74) papers. (As in the previous year, EAB was not the sole author of reports commissioned by the NAC. The New Zealand Defence Force prepared one report for the NAC.) This fall in the number of assessments approved by the NAC was the result of a decision to reduce the number of papers presented so that there would be more time for scrutiny of each one and weekly meetings would be less likely to run over time. The normal practice now is that no more than two papers are presented at each meeting. The reduction in EAB's contribution of papers to the NAC was exactly balanced by an increase in the number of the assessments it issued in the same format under its own letterhead.
• EAB prepared 622 (575) biographical reports.
• There were 201 (201) other assessments and reports prepared, including 90 (93) executive intelligence summaries.

Biographic reports were delivered to primary customers before the visits and conferences to which the reports related.

Relevant EAB reports were available at the start of Watch Group (close situation monitoring) meetings.

Objective: To ensure that the Prime Minister, other senior ministers, and officials are satisfied with the assessments and reports provided.

Performance

Assessments reflected national priorities, and those done in response to specific tasking addressed the topics specified by those who requested them. Positive feedback was received from the Prime Minister and stakeholders.

At least 90 per cent of assessments submitted to the NAC required no more than minor revision. (This performance indicator remains unchanged from last year.) EAB maintains a file record of the outcome of every NAC meeting so that its performance against this criterion is documented. From time to time the Intelligence Coordinator takes the NAC chair to provide independent oversight of the performance of both EAB and the NAC itself. See "EAB assessments" table.

EAB assessments and reports

	2009	2008	2007	2006
National Assessments Committee reports	61	74	71	77
Biographical reports	622	575	536	541
Other reports and assessments	111	108	99	136
Executive intelligence summaries	90	93	92	93