GovComms: The Future of Government Communication · 2026-07-03 · 59 min
Measurement should make our work clearer, not harder. Host David Pembroke is joined by Stacey Barr , a specialist in organisational performance, measurement and evidence-based leadership, to unpack why evaluation still feels elusive in government, even when toolkits and frameworks are readily available. They discuss the hidden “missing pieces” that undermine many measurement approaches, how to strip out vague “weasel words” from strategy, and how Stacey’s PuMP methodology helps teams define results, identify credible evidence, and report performance in a way that supports better decisions. The conversation also explores the role of leadership, the reality of public accountability pressures, and where AI can (and cannot) help. KEY POINTS - Start with results, not activity : Be clear about the outcome you want to improve before you decide what to measure, otherwise you end up tracking busywork instead of impact. - De-weasel your strategy language : Replace vague terms such as “quality”, “transparency” or “diversity” with plain, specific wording that everyone can interpret the same way.
EP#192: When AI moves faster than truth - with Sree Srinivasan63 / 100
EP#191: Storytelling for trust in the AI era
EP#190: Act to Decide - Why Governments Need to Act on AI Now
EP#189: The “So What” Problem - Turning Numbers into Insight (and Action)
EP#188: Revisiting 'Leading Quietly: The power of introverts at work' 