United Nations Economic Commission for EuropeStatistical DivisionUnited Nations Economic Commission for EuropeStatistical Division

Towards a Generic Statistical Business Process Model

Steven Vale, UNECE

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Contents

Background Modelling statistical business processes Applicability Structure and key features Relevance to SDMX Next steps

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Background

Statistical production has traditionally been organised by topic, e.g. transport, trade, …

Financial pressures are encouraging new ways of thinking

Some statistical organisations are moving towards a process-based approach

Others are considering a matrix approach

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Topics

P r o c e s s e s

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Which processes?

Defining and modelling processes in statistical organisations started at least 10 years ago• “Statistical value chain”• “Survey life-cycle”• “Statistical process cycle”• “Business process model”

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Which processes?

Defining and modelling processes in statistical organisations started at least 10 years ago• “Statistical value chain” X• “Survey life-cycle” X• “Statistical process cycle” X• “Business process model” X

Generic Statistical BusinessProcess Model

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Why do we need a model?

To define and describe statistical processes in a coherent way

To standardize process terminology To compare / benchmark processes within

and between organisations To identify synergies between processes To inform decisions on systems

architectures and organisation of resources

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History of the GSBPM

Based on the business process model developed by Statistics New Zealand

Added phases for:• Archive (inspired by Statistics Canada)• Evaluate (Australia and others)

Three rounds of comments Terminology and descriptions made

more generic Wider applicability?

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Applicability

All activities undertaken by producers of official statistics which result in data outputs

National and international statistical organisations

Independent of data source, can be used for:• Surveys / censuses• Administrative sources / register-based statistics• Mixed sources

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Structure of the GSBPM

Process

Phases

Sub-processes

(Descriptions)

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Key features

Not a linear model Sub-processes do not have to be followed

in a strict order It is a matrix, through which there are

many possible paths, including iterative loops within and between phases

Some iterations of a regular process may skip certain sub-processes

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Applying the GSBPM in UNECE

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Questions and Comments?

steven.vale@unece.org

For more information see the METIS wiki:

www1.unece.org/stat/platform/display/metis