Crew mapping and forecasting best practice and methodology

A study capturing best practice for mapping the workforce in the UK screen production sector, which outlines a pilot methodology and resources to forecast skills shortages.

Following the recommendation in the BFI Skills Review 2022, the BFI commissioned Olsberg•SPI (SPI) to create a pilot methodology for crew mapping and forecasting skills shortages in the UK’s scripted film and high-end television workforce.

The results of this work provide a number of accessible resources for organisations such as screen agencies, skills bodies, and BFI Skills Clusters to utilise, to help standardise how crew data could be collected to gain a better understanding of skills needs.

SPI began with a comprehensive review of existing methodologies that map workforce in the UK screen production sector, as well as in the wider creative industries and the construction sector. SPI then partnered with Create Central and Creative Wales to undertake a pilot that conceptualises the basic mechanisms of a forecasting model for the UK screen sector.

The outputs and resources produced from this study include:

  • Summary and key findings document:
    • Outlines key findings and next steps from the study
  • Best practice report:
    • Sets out best practice approach to standardising the collection of crew data across the UK screen sector and creating an alliance of initiatives to coordinate activity. This report is intended to benefit screen agencies or other organisations that collect crew data or are looking to establish crew databases
  • Crew mapping and forecasting model framework:
    • Guide on how crew data can be used to populate and run a skills forecasting model. The framework and accompanying model is designed to help identify future skills needs and shortages
  • Crew mapping and forecasting model:
    • Pilot Excel model enables the mapping of current crew capacity and helps identify potential skills gaps across departments depending on shifting demand