Seeing the Big Picture AO Example Statement (250 Words)
At AO, assessors want to see that you demonstrate seeing the wider context and how your work connects to organisational goals. Your example should match reliable delivery of your own work, clear communication and helpful teamwork on everyday tasks. Focus on your actions and a clear result.
Example statement
SI work on the reception desk at a busy GP surgery that serves around 8,000 patients. We were sending every missed-appointment letter as a full clinical chase, which clogged the nurses' inbox and delayed genuine urgent callbacks for people who needed same-day advice.
TThe practice manager asked me to redesign how we handle DNAs so clinical time was protected while patients still got a clear, respectful follow-up that fitted the surgery's access priorities.
AI spent two mornings shadowing the triage nurse and listing which DNA reasons actually needed clinical judgement versus a simple reminder. I drafted a three-box triage sheet (admin reminder, nurse review, or GP urgent) and checked the patient-facing wording with the patient participation group so it stayed clear and polite. I briefed every receptionist with worked examples from our own diary and added a weekly count of DNA categories to the team whiteboard so patterns such as Mondays after bank holidays were visible to everyone, not only managers. When a patient said the new letter felt brusque, I revised one sentence with the practice manager and reissued the template the same day rather than waiting for the next meeting cycle.
RWithin six weeks, nurse DNA chasing fell by about 40%, and all five receptionists used the triage sheet as default. The practice manager used our Monday pattern note to adjust reminder texts, and DNA rates for routine bloods dropped the following month.
Use this as a model, not a script. This is an original example written for this site. Adapt the structure to your own experience. Copying it word for word risks plagiarism and will not reflect your evidence.
Why this scores well
- Links everyday admin work to wider clinical capacity and patient access.
- Shows you checked impact beyond your desk before changing the process.
- Uses a measurable result and adapts after patient feedback.
What AO level requires
| Grade | What assessors expect |
|---|---|
| AO ← this page | At AO level, Seeing the Big Picture means showing reliable delivery of your own work, clear communication and helpful teamwork on everyday tasks while demonstrating seeing the wider context and how your work connects to organisational goals. |
| EO | At EO level, Seeing the Big Picture means showing organising work beyond your own desk, coordinating with others and showing sound judgement while demonstrating seeing the wider context and how your work connects to organisational goals. |
| HEO | At HEO level, Seeing the Big Picture means showing independent judgement, leading small pieces of work and connecting your work to team goals while demonstrating seeing the wider context and how your work connects to organisational goals. |
| SEO | At SEO level, Seeing the Big Picture means showing leading workstreams, influencing without always having formal authority and managing risk while demonstrating seeing the wider context and how your work connects to organisational goals. |
| Grade 7 | At Grade 7 level, Seeing the Big Picture means showing strategic framing, leading teams or complex projects and advising senior stakeholders while demonstrating seeing the wider context and how your work connects to organisational goals. |
| Grade 6 | At Grade 6 level, Seeing the Big Picture means showing setting direction across areas, managing significant risk and influencing SCS and partners while demonstrating seeing the wider context and how your work connects to organisational goals. |
| SCS | At SCS level, Seeing the Big Picture means showing organisational leadership, cross-government influence and accountability for major outcomes while demonstrating seeing the wider context and how your work connects to organisational goals. |
Common mistakes at this level
- Describing only the letter change with no link to surgery priorities.
- Saying 'I understand the bigger picture' without evidence.
- Ending with no outcome for patients or colleagues.
Next step
Get the free AO statement template pack. It uses the same STAR structure as this example.
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