A recent project for the Financial Services Consumer Panel aimed to understand how financial firms use personal data and understand potential bias against certain protected characteristics. I was tasked with finding a way to efficiently analyse a large set of secondary sources within four weeks, across the project team.

I began with sorting and reviewing the initial sources, to ensure a good coverage of perspectives and publication types to prevent bias in our research. 

I then created an evidence grid which included information about source publication, and four key research areas. I felt providing a central grid to work into would foster joined-up teamwork and provide an effective tool for the team to focus on engaging with the sources.

I then assessed the time the team had for reviewing, so I could effectively delegate while ensuring the welfare of my team (e.g. no one feeling overburdened). This included delegating sources to two external freelancers. I wanted to frame this positively, by demonstrating this allowed everybody to make valuable contributions to the work.

I also ensured this delegation was flexible and considered changing project commitments for the team. For example, re-delegating shorter sources to one of my colleagues when issues on another project meant they had less time to review.

This resulted in a supportive working environment where individual needs were considered, and a consolidated team with a clear common focus, who were able to review sources effectively with little disruption to other project commitments, well within time.