The Statistical Metadata System: its role in a statistical organization Jana Meliskova Joint UNECE / Eurostat / OECD Work 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

5 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

Statistical Metadata System Users 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

8 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

9 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

10 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

11 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

12 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

Components of the SMS vision SMS 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 SOOutside SO Metadata Objects Stat Data Concepts Stat ProcessesInstruments Actors Rules Organization Inventory of Existing Metadata Systems Delimitation of Available Resources SIS Statistical Data Production Vision Components Important Links LEGEND 14

15 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

16 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

17 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

SMS Metadata model Statistical Organisation Senior Management SMS Management Board SMS WT_1 SMS WT_2 SMS WT_n Admin Division Finance Division Dissemination Division MM E Subject Matter Division Method- ology Division MME ICT Division MME … … E E E E Legend Middle Management E WT Working Team Experts MM 18

19 Management strategies for corporate SMS Major phases of SMS development Design Implementation Maintenance Usage Evaluation

20 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

21 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

22 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

23 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

24 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)

25 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