The Promise Data and Evidence Group Workplan: July 2026 – June 2027

2. Sub-group One: Promise Progress Framework

2.1 Projects committed to in previous workplan

Supporting stand-up of the PPF dashboard through:

• Working with the Office of the Chief Statistician to produce guidance which will inform the approach to the updating of the dashboard. This was to be agreed and completed by September 2025, and presented to respective Governance boards for sign off.
• Setting up the ongoing process to collate and quality assure the data from relevant Analytical Services Divisions across the Scottish Government which will be added to the Promise Progress Framework dashboard.

Review of indicators within the PPF through:

• A review of the quantitative data that is identified against each of the 10 vision statements.
• Production of a Data Review Report, highlighting the gaps and areas for development in the Framework.

2.2 Summary of progress in 2025/26

Updating the PPF dashboard

The PPF dashboard was updated in December 2025.

In collaboration with the Office of the Chief Statistician, the National Performance Framework Technical Advisory Group (NPFTAG) supported this update by undertaking quality assurance of both the data and supporting narrative. This process followed an approach consistent with National Performance Framework indicator updates. Recommendations, including those relating to baselines, were submitted to Promise Chairs where governance for this work sits.

Following this process, and on the advice of the Chief Statistician, it was agreed that a dedicated Promise Technical Advisory Group (TAG) should be established to support future updates. This proposal was approved by the Scottish Government Analytical Leadership Group (ALG) in March 2026.

A group of seven members, chaired by the Chief Statistician, has been recruited and met for the first time in May 2026. The Promise TAG will meet following the publication of data for relevant indicators and will provide ongoing quality assurance of both data and narrative, supporting a more systematic and responsive approach to maintaining the dashboard.

Review of indicators within the PPF

While a full, comprehensive review of indicators aligned to the Vision Statements was not completed during 2025/26, groundwork has been conducted to support this work.

In particular, the NPFTAG-led dashboard update process provided a structured opportunity to gather and collate analytical insight and expert judgement on the strength, relevance and interpretability of existing indicators. This has helped to start building a clearer understanding of:

• where indicators provide robust and meaningful insight into progress
• where interpretation is more limited due to data constraints or coverage gaps
• areas where further development or refinement may be required

This represents a foundation on which to build a more comprehensive and systematic review.

Completing this review, drawing on the insights already gathered, will be a priority for early delivery within the 2026/27 work programme

2.3 Work programme for July 2026 – Jun 2027

Review and refinement of PPF indicators

A review of the PPF indicators will be undertaken, including:

• Assessment of alignment between indicators and the 10 Vision Statements
• Identification of gaps, duplication, and areas where indicators are no longer fit for purpose.
• Consideration of data quality, coverage, and frequency.

As part of this work, the review will also assess the analytical value and interpretability of the current indicators, including what can meaningfully be understood about progress based on available data.

This will include:

• Assessment of what insight can be drawn from the indicators collectively, including the extent to which they provide a coherent picture of progress
• Identification of where indicators provide clear and consistent signals of change, and where interpretation is more limited or uncertain
• Consideration of how limitations in coverage, timeliness or consistency affect interpretation

Findings from this assessment will inform the development of any narrative and thematic reporting, ensuring that reporting is grounded in a clear understanding of the strengths and limitations of the available evidence.

The review will also consider the potential for further disaggregation and analysis of indicators, to strengthen insight into different experiences and outcomes across the population.

This will include:

• Assessing the extent to which existing indicators can be broken down by key characteristics (e.g. age, gender, geography, where children live, disability, socioeconomic status, ethnicity where available)
• Identifying opportunities to develop new breakdowns or derived indicators using existing data sources
• Highlighting where data limitations constrain meaningful disaggregation, and where improvements to data collection or linkage may be required
• Considering how disaggregated data can support understanding of inequalities and differential outcomes

Outputs:

• Data Review Report, including:
  • Assessment of current indicators
  • Analysis of interpretability and evidential strength
  • Recommendations for refinement and development
  • Analysis of disaggregation potential and data limitations

Milestones:

• Autumn 2026: Complete Data Review Report
• Early 2027: Agreement of any recommended revisions to indicators

Embedding sustainable update and assurance processes

Building on the establishment of the Promise Technical Advisory Group (TAG), work will continue to embed robust processes for the ongoing maintenance, update and governance of the PPF dashboard.

Following completion of the indicator review (Priority 1), this work will also establish a structured process for the ongoing development and refinement of indicators.

This will include:

• Developing an agreed process for introducing, revising or retiring indicators
• Establishing criteria for incorporating new or improved data sources
• Embedding periodic review points to reflect:
  • improvements in data quality
  • new data linkage opportunities
  • evolving policy priorities
• Ensuring all changes are subject to appropriate quality assurance and governance
• Maintaining clear documentation to support transparency and comparability over time

This will support a transition from a static set of measures to a dynamic and continuously improving framework, while maintaining consistency and integrity in reporting.

Outputs:

• Documented process for ongoing indicator development and change

Milestones:

• March 2027: Agreed and documented process for ongoing review and revision of indicators in place