Applying the Generic Statistical Business Process Model to Business Register Maintenance Steven Vale UNECE steven.vale@unece.org

Contents Introducing the GSBPM GSBPM and register maintenance Conclusions

GSBPM – The 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

Why do we need a model? To define and describe statistical processes in a coherent way To standardize process terminology To compare and benchmark processes within and between organisations To identify synergies between processes To inform decisions on systems architectures and organisation of resources 4

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 Maintenance of statistical registers (?)

Structure of the GSBPM Process Phases Sub-processes (Descriptions)

Not a linear model Key features 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

Framework for combining standards?

Does it work for BRs? Business register maintenance is a continuous activity, not a single process But BRs have: Inputs “collected” from different sources A sequence of processing and analysis Outputs – statistics and sampling frames Therefore BR maintenance can be seen as similar to other statistical production

Is this just an academic exercise? No – there are practical benefits: Standardisation of terminology Standard framework for benchmarking Facilitates use of common tools / methods Efficiency savings Tool for managing process quality Facilitates industrialisation

Conclusion GSBPM can be applied to statistical business register maintenance clear potential benefits in terms of shared knowledge, methods and tools However, the value needs to be demonstrated in practice UNECE would welcome feedback from any organisation applying the GSBPM to business register maintenance.

Questions and Comments? steven.vale@unece.org www.unece.org/stats/gsbpm