The Statistical Metadata System: its role in a statistical organization

Jana Meliskova

Joint UNECE / Eurostat / OECDWork Session on Statistical Metadata

Geneva, 3 – 5 April 2006

A presentation of Part A, Chapters 1–3 of the Draft Statistical Metadata Framework

2

Background

Aim of Metadata Framework Part A Inform senior managers

Describe their involvement in SMS projects

Role of Statistical Metadata Systems (SMS) Effective functioning of statistical organization

Expertise in statistics

Cross cutting nature of SMS Interdisciplinary team approach

3

Issues addressed in Part A

Corporate Value Proposition Functions Users Benefits

Strategies Vision Metadata Objects Strategic Planning Management

Core Principles

Corporate Governance model

4

What is the role of an SMS?

The Statistical Metadata System supports: Production of official statistics

Monitoring and evaluation of statistical processes

Management of methodological activities Cooperation with users

Increasing usability of data for clients

Improved data quality

Management of data sources

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Role of an SMS (continued)

Dissemination of final results

Integration of SIS nationally and internationally

Management and unification of internal workflows Knowledge base on the processes of SIS

Administration

Evaluation of cost and revenues

Unified statistical terminology

The Statistical Metadata System supports

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Statistical Metadata System Users

National Level

Statistical Organisation

Government

Political Decision-makers

R & D

Public Officials

Archives

Academia

Librarians

Journalists

SMS

Top Management

Designers ofSIS

SubjectMatter Experts

Respondents

Methodologists

Admin ofContent IT

Technical Admin

International Level

EUROSTAT OECD UN IMF ILO BIS ECB

MNEs Individuals …

…

Statistical R & D

6

7

Benefits of an SMS

Common benefits Increased information, quality, retrieval and exchange,

terminology, standards, CMR, reuse, knowledge

Senior management Facilitates monitoring and management of all major

activities of SO; integration of statistical information

Designers and evaluators Methods, tools and IT components available,feedback

about performance , usage, users satisfaction, up to date documentation, info on similar systems

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Benefits of an SMS (continued)

Methodologists Improved design and implementation of surveys Content integration Keeping and maintenance of classifications, registers, methods and

standards

Subject-matter statisticians Better understanding of users needs Knowledge base on data collection Access to consistent classifications Elements and engines used for new surveys Standard processes to avoid local solutions Better support for consultation services and training

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Benefits of an SMS (continued)

Research & Development Knowledge of statistical systems and productions Recognized theories, methods and good practice Costs and quality aspects in SIS

Administration of Metadata Content Smooth and systematic metadata maintenance Update once in one place No human interference

Errorless metadata navigation of e-production

Technical Administration Using SMS tools for technical maintenance of CMR Metadata elements links Links to e-production Knowledge about tools used by content admin

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Benefits of an SMS (continued)

IT Unit MD driven production Increased standardisation and efficiency Unified MD on data and concepts, classifications,

populations, time series, measurement units etc

Respondents Respondents can be users SMS is an integration tool for this process Harmonized methodology Use of standards, terminology Feedback from surveys, access to CMR etc

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Benefits of an SMS (continued)

End users on a national level Improved discovery, understanding and interpretation

of statistical data

Increased consistency, comparability and credibility

Recognized intellectual property

Monitor users feedback Unify terminology “Cognitive psychology” i.e. presentational aspect to

MD consumption Harmonizing MD on websites Integration of statistical output DB

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Benefits of an SMS (continued)

International Users

International Organizations Greater consistency when interacting with NSOs Coordination of access through a single gateway/portal side –

SDMX project

MNEs Harmonization of MNEs information systems with SIS Standardisation of forms of organization, stat, units, charts,

accounts and classifications

13

Management Strategies and Policy Framework

SMS vision Prerequisite for the success story Direct involvement of and supervision by the top management Approved Vision is an integral part of the strategic direction of the SO Interdisciplinary team approach

SMS vision MD object Strategic planning Management strategies for corporate SMS

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Components of the SMS visionSMS

Vision

SMS Goals and Functions

SMS Management Strategy

Global Framework for SMS Design and Implementation

Priority Setting

Conceptual Metadata Model

Grand Plan

Metadata Users

Inside SO Outside SO

Metadata ObjectsStat Data Concepts

Stat Processes Instruments

Actors

Rules

Organization

Inventory of Existing Metadata Systems

Delimitation of Available Resources

SIS

Statistical Data Production

Vision Components

Important Links

LEGEND

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Metadata objects

Statistical data and concepts Variables, populations, classifications, registers,

templates, surveys, time series, stat. methods etc

Statistical processes and procedures Related to statistical production, SIS, organization,

planning, performance, evaluation, costs, management etc

Tools enabling production and usage Terminology, description methods, registration tools

etc

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Strategic planning

Incorporates all important activities, their links and priorities

Clearly specified conditions

Organization framework and ground strategy management established

Plan approved by all actors

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Management strategies for corporate SMS

SMS management across the whole organizations

Leading role of top management; SMS management board established

MD management is a part of every project Board is taking an ultimate corporate view on all

decisions dealing with SMS development Management strategy is in a close alliance with

existing SO structure A multidisciplinary team approach

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SMS Metadata model

Statistical OrganisationSenior Management

SMS Management

Board

SMSWT_1

SMSWT_2

SMSWT_n

Admin Division

Finance Division

Dissemination Division

MM E

Subject Matter

Division Subject Matter

DivisionMethod-

ology Division

MM E ICT Division

MM E

……

MM E

MM EMM EMM E

Legend

Middle Management

E

WT Working Team

Experts

MM

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Management strategies for corporate SMS

Major phases of SMS development

Design

Implementation

Maintenance

Usage

Evaluation

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Management of SMS design

Vision

Global architecture

Impact of inventory of existing systems Common components

Impact on existing statistical production

Outcomes and feedback from evaluation phase

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Management of SMS implementation

Development of tools and vehicles

Completeness of implementation

Coherent technical implementation

Outsourcing Setting of corporate CMR including loading MD

into CMR Reengineering of existing processes Detailed and coordinated planning for all stages

of implementation

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Management of SMS maintenance

Ensure timelines and coherence

Oversee all MD stored in CMR

Define policies, procedures and protocols

Ensure use of coherent/standard set of tools Prepare plans for maintenance Training of owners

Concepts for registration of MD objects

Rules and guidelines (jointly with owners) Delimitation of organizational background for

maintenance

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Management of SMS use

Coordinate detailed plans; IT unit should be responsible for plans dealing with production process

Oversee availability of MD and MD tools

Oversee use of MD and MD vehicles by users

Inform users about changes in MD context Organize feedback from users Oversee use of MD on statistical websites

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Management of SMS evaluation

Specify major targets of SMS evaluation

Oversee evaluation (costs, use of standards, efficiency etc)

Setting benchmarking for all defined targets Appoint a team of evaluators (SO staff, MD users),

consider possibility of external evaluators

Specify evaluation forms: (i) regular long-term (e.g. 3 years interval)

(ii) regular short term (e.g. annually)

(iii) ad hoc (when needed)

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Some questions for discussion

Is the role of SMS exhaustive enough? Should the benefits of SMS for senior

management further improved? Will it be useful to prepare an annex with some

concrete examples of the Vision document? Is the necessity of a lead role of the SO top

management in the SMS development justified enough?

Are the tasks for the management in the individual phases of SMS life cycle representative enough?

Thank you