Science and Engineering Assurance (SEA) Framework
The Government Office for Science report ‘Science and Engineering in Government’ (SEG, October 2009) sets out seven criteria for the management and use of science and engineering in government. These criteria have been built upon to develop an SEA Framework (DOC, 98 Kb) that is used to guide SEA reviews.
This framework is used to guide assessment of the “fitness” of departments with respect to their use of science and engineering.
Although the culture of sound analysis and use of evidence in policy making and delivery is strong in government, there is still potential for improvement. Use of the framework as a guide during the reviews will ensure that;
- comprehensive assessment is made;
- a common understanding of the review purpose can be communicated;
- performance standards are readily identified; and
- lessons learned are more easily communicated across government departments.
The majority of the factors set out in the framework clearly linked to sources of guidance or reference from which further information and explanation can be found.
