Performance Goal BLS 5.1: Timeliness, Accuracy, and Relevance

Improve the timeliness, accuracy, and relevance of information on labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy.

Other Information:

BLS produces some of the Nation’s most sensitive and important economic data. BLS is an independent national statistical agency within the Department of Labor responsible for measuring labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy. It collects, analyzes, and disseminates essential economic information that supports the formulation of economic and social policy, decisions in the business and labor communities, legislative and other programs affecting labor and the economy, and research on labor market issues. These policies and decisions affect virtually all Americans. In line with the Interagency Council on Statistical Policy’s Guidelines for Reporting Performance by Statistical Agencies, BLS measures accuracy, timeliness, relevance, dissemination, and mission achievement. BLS also reports the full cost to produce its data products. These criteria are common among statistical agencies because these are critical aspects of a statistical program’s performance. Having common concepts underlying the statistical agencies’ performance measures helps to inform decision makers about the performance of these statistical agencies. BLS has identified several strategies to support the goal of producing timely, accurate, and relevant statistics: • Inform current and potential customers about the availability and uses of BLS products and reach out to BLS customers to understand their needs for economic information; • Maintain high response rates in surveys by developing data collection methods that reduce respondent burden and providing respondents with a clear understanding of the value of their participation; • Make the data and other products and services available on bls.gov accessible, understandable, and usable; • Recruit, train, and retain a talented and diverse group of individuals who are well-prepared to produce and improve BLS products and services; and • Explore and implement ways to make BLS business processes more efficient and effective.

Indicator(s):

Indicator:1

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