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Managing Intelligence

This project seeks to support every Third Sector Interface to gather and manage information on their local third sector, including CRM (Customer Record Management) data, supporting them to deliver effective services and to gather the same information in every part of the country so that a consistent national profile of the third sector locally is developed.
Latest news
Milo Frequently Asked Questions
With input from the TSI network, the latest version of the Milo Frequently Asked Questions are now available.
 
Milo Data Rules Now Available.

Download draft Milo Data Rules.
The Managing Intelligence Common Approach Guide and associated resources are now available to download.
 
The Common Approach Guide is an extensive resource outlining suggested approaches to the gathering and managing of data, broken down across 14 categories from data collection methods to analysis, reporting and pulication. The guide contains examples and case studies drawing on previous initiatives.
 
 
The Review section of the Common Approach allows you to work through a series of forms and checklists in order to check your TSIs current situation in relation to the data it holds. The Review will provide a discussion point for members of staff involved in Milo, and will allow you to see at a glance what steps need to be carried out and what has already been done.
 
 
The Mapping to Milo spreadsheet is used along with the Review section in order to map exactly what data you currently hold across your different data sources (eg membership database, vBay), whatr data you need to gather to meet the Milo Core Minimum fields, and what additional data, if any, you would like to gather.
(a version of this sheet pre-filled with the standard vBay fields will be available once Sopra has completed vBay mapping)
 
 
The Common Approach Guide Additonal Materials is a series of appendices referred to in the Guide and Review.
 
 
If you experience any problems downloading these documents please contact supportingvoluntaryaction@scvo.org.uk.
Milo Core Field Sample form now available

Download core fields sample form

Download notes on the core fields sample form
Milo Information Sheet
 
The Milo Information Sheet is a document that can be provided to local organisations to explain how their information (specifically organisation details and volunteer opportunities, if applicable) will be used and shared.
You can add the name of your TSI to this document and use to provide clear and concise information to local organisations.
 
 
What are the objectives of the Managing Intelligence project?
 
- Third Sector Interfaces will have increased knowledge and understanding of the voluntary sector;
 
- There will be increased understanding and recognition for Third Sector Interfaces amongst stakeholders;   
 
- Third Sector Interfaces will be better recognised and valued by stakeholders as experts on the local voluntary sector
 
- Stakeholders for the voluntary sector will have improved access to accurate and up to date information about the voluntary sector;
 
- Stakeholders for the voluntary sector will have improved access to accurate and up to date information about the voluntary sector;Voluntary and community organisations will have better information in order to deliver better services;
 
- Third Sector Interfaces and partners will spend less time gathering information that is already available so releasing resources to delivering services;
 
The SVA programme is developing various resources to provide Third Sector Interfaces with all the tools and support required to identify, gather and manage information about their local third sector and their interactions with these organisations, including:
 
- Common Approach Guide: A resource pack with guidance and practical advice on all elements of the common approach, ranging from data collection methods to data protection. Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire have now completed the initial version development and it is currently being reviewed to ensure that it reflects recent Milo developments.
 
- Training and Support: Accompanying the Common Approach Guide will be the availability of additional support tailored to your organisation’s needs. This will run in parallel to Milo specific training sessions.
 
- Managing Intelligence Database within Milo: Access to a shared web-based database that allows management of third sector organisation data, Third Sector Interface interactions with them, in addition to volunteer, opportunity & placement data (vBay functionality). For details on Milo development & associated timescales please go to Milo project page.
 

More information on Common Approach Guide

Developed by Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire it addresses the following areas:

  • Reviewing your organisation’s current data
  • Mapping your current data fields to Milo data fields
  • Identifying organisations for inclusion
  • Data protection
  • Data sharing agreements
  • Core minimum fields
  • Additional question sets
  • Staffing the data gathering
  • Data collection methods
  • Administration of large scale data collection
  • Data management
  • Updating processes
  • Quality standards
  • Data-sharing agreements
  • Analysis, reporting & publication
  • Awareness raising amongst the local third sector
  • Awareness raising & promotion amongst local partners
  • Sustainability & securing additional funding
  • Main challenges

 

More information on Managing Intelligence Database

Consultation across the Third Sector Interfaces in 2009 & 2010 provided extensive input from organisations on the range and types of data captured locally, along with valuable contributions in terms of surveys, data collection forms and insight into both the successful and more problematic areas of data collection.

Following analysis of this and discussion amongst the Managing Intelligence Advisory Group, this has informed the development of the core minimum fields and additional optional question sets that are now being developed within Milo and include data fields in the following areas:- Core minimum (contact & basic profiling)

- Additional Profiling
- Volunteers, opportunities & placements
- Customer Relationship Management
- Equalities
- Social Economy & Social Enterprise
- Community Planning
- Volunteering
- Workforce Profiling & Development
- Non-Voluntary Sector Stakeholders
- Networks & Strategic Partnerships

Sopra are underway in developing the comprehensive system – Milo, designed specifically for Interfaces and other intermediary organisations. As a result of the needs identified via the successful Scoping Exercise undertaken by Sopra earlier last year, Milo will also include the following functionality:

- Database reporting
- Information library
- Online toolkits & questionnaires
- E-newsletters
- Online forums & networks
- Training & events
 
Piloting Managing Intelligence

In seeking to ensure a range of Third Sector Interfaces (in terms of geography, size, experience etc) to pilot the Common Approach Guide, in late 2009 the following three pilots were identified:

- Orkney
- Aberdeenshire
- Edinburgh

As a result of various delays in the development of Milo and the need for the Common Approach Guide to incorporate key aspects of Milo, the pilot activity has not been able to progress as previously anticipated. However, we are currently working with each of the pilots to get back on track with the associated activities.

 
Further information
For more information on any aspect of Managing Intelligence, how it can benefit your organisation or to sign up please email supportingvoluntaryaction@scvo.org.uk.