Statistics New Zealand Classification Management System Andrew Hancock Statistics New Zealand Prepared for 2013 Meeting of the UN Expert Group on International Statistical Classifications

Contents Overview History/Background of existing CARS System Reasons for Change Vision CMS Overview 2013 UN Expert Group Meeting

Overview Statistics New Zealand currently undergoing 10 year programme of change (Statistics 2020) Programme will: mitigate legacy computer systems transform the way statistics are delivered bring about efficiencies to systems Provides opportunity to rethink the way classifications are developed, maintained and disseminated 2013 UN Expert Group Meeting

History/Background of CARS Classification and Related Standards (CARS) created in 1996 Is a respository of all classifications, concordances and coding indexes used in Statistics NZ Currently holds 4625 classifications, 5627 versions and 2218 concordances Provides common ways to update, access and use standard classifications data 2013 UN Expert Group Meeting

Reasons for change The rationale for moving to a new classification management system is due to: The need to mitigate a legacy system The need to move from a classification repository system to a full classification management system The need to reduce proliferation of like classifications and versions A desire to introduce a new approach to the management, storage and dissemination of classification related attributes and entities UN Expert Group Meeting

Vision Move to a concepts based system Allow greater relationships between attributes Automated authorisation and dissemination processes Greater search and discovery Enable greater reuse and reduce duplication ie store once and use in multiple locations UN Expert Group Meeting

CMS Overview Proposed CMS model relates to other standards and models eg ISO/IEC 11179, Neuchatel, DDI, SDMX, SKOS, XKOS Being designed primarily to support classification management within a single organisation but planned for wider use across Official Statistical System Joint venture between Statistics New Zealand and Metadata Technology North America (MTNA) 2013 UN Expert Group Meeting

Clarification of Terminology “Conceptual Model” – used for the purposes of communication (eg, GSIM) Platform and technology independent “Implementation Model” – used to exchange and implement, but still platform-independent Uses a technology (eg, XML) “Application model” – used inside of software and IT implementations Platform and technology specific

CMS Components Core – This portion of the model focuses on identification, versioning, and describing contexts within which classifications are used. Classification – This package gives a general model for classifications in their generic sense, and then gives more specific extensions for formal statistical classifications and derived classifications. Coding – This package describes the relationships needed for integration with the SNZ coding system, and hold constructs such as synonyms, and synonym sets. Conceptual – This is the place where the concepts and their uses are modelled, along with the model for categories (that is, units of meaning). Concordances – This package describes all the relationships which can exist in concordances UN Expert Group Meeting

Classification Model Base classification diagram “Standard” classification diagram – one that has been published Derived classification diagram Heavy reliance on the Neuchatel model Use also of SKOS Properties can be configured for any concept

2013 UN Expert Group Meeting

Concepts and Categories Direct use of SKOS Concept Note that a category is the use of a Concept (as in GSIM) This is a very high level of granularity This allows for very powerful navigation within and across data sets

2013 UN Expert Group Meeting

Concordance Model Based heavily on Neuchatel Modelled to allow addition of “functions” (merge, split, etc.) needed to maintain classifications Example of “Merge” is shown All functions extend abstract “CodeMap” class

Conclusions A new classification management system, and not merely a repository The model is designed to be flexible and extensible Builds on many of the best features of other models and standards Associates concepts and other types of relationships between classifications 2013 UN Expert Group Meeting

Statistics New Zealand Classification Management System Andrew Hancock Statistics New Zealand Prepared for 2013 Meeting of the UN Expert Group on International Statistical Classifications