Many of the techniques used in the private sector are widely applicable to the public sector as well.  For Instance:

• Demand and propensity modelling - estimating the needs of small areas for services based on census and geodemographic variables.
• Geodemographic profiling to understand how the groups using particular services vary from the population in general.
• Spatial modelling to understand the ideal location for providing facilities such as libraries, sporting facilities, community centres etc..
• Travel time analysis, especially understanding the accessibility of services for both public and private transport users.