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About Us

History of the Strategy Unit

The Prime Minister's Strategy Unit is part of the Cabinet Office. It was formed to provide a clear focus for strategic thinking and policy analysis at the heart of government. It formally began operating in July 2002 through a merger of the Performance and Innovation Unit, the Prime Minister's Forward Strategy Unit, and part of the Policy Studies Directorate of the Centre for Management and Policy Studies. The Unit reports to the Prime Minister through the Cabinet Secretary.

The Strategy Unit has four main roles:

• undertaking long-term strategic reviews of major areas of policy
• undertaking studies of cross-cutting policy issues
• working with departments to promote strategic thinking and improve policy making across Whitehall
• providing strategic leadership to social research across government.

The Unit's Approach to Strategy Development

The Unit has a project based approach to developing strategy. Most projects are announced to Parliament and short papers outlining the scope of each project and project reports (including those produced by the Performance and Innovation Unit) are published on the Strategy Unit website. Teams are tailored to the needs of each project. Most are small multi-disciplinary teams that bring together civil servants and a wide range of people from outside government, including those responsible for implementation and delivery.

Based on the belief that rigorous analysis is an essential foundation for strategy development, the unit fosters an evidence-based approach. It also promotes an open approach believing that involving people early on greatly increases the prospects of sustainable change.

The Strategic Capability Team

Established in 2003, the Strategic Capability Team are dedicated to fulfilling the Strategy Unit's remit to work with departments to promote strategic thinking and improve policy making. In addition to publishing this guide and promoting strategy best practice through coaching, training and networks, the team are focused on working with departments to help them assess and improve their ability to create implementable strategy and meet their most important strategic challenges. Please contact us for further information.

Government Chief Social Researcher's Office

The Government Chief Social Researcher's Office (GCSRO) was set up in October 2002 to provide strategic leadership to social research across government. It aims to co-ordinate research planning and access to research knowledge across government, and ensure high skill levels and quality standards.

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