1. Generic Statistical Information Model (GSIM)
Ebbo Petrikovits Czech Statistical Office

2. Content What is GSIM? Why GSIM? GSIM v 1.0 Information groups
Conclusions
Questions

3. What is GSIM? (1)
reference framework of information objects, which enables generic descriptions of the definition, management, and use of data and metadata throughout the statistical production process.
internationally agreed set of definitions, attributes and relationships that describe the pieces of information that are used in the production of official statistics.

4. What is GSIM (2)
common language to describe information that supports the statistical production process from the identification of user needs through to the dissemination of statistical products.
is aligned with relevant standards, such as DDI and SDMX, but it is not directly tied to them, neither to specific technologies nor other concrete implementation details.
GSIM provides common semantics that can be used unambiguously across and between different implementations.

5. Why GSIM (1)
Provide definitions of the information objects supporting all statistical business processes, especially those defined in the GSBPM.
Improve communication between different disciplines involved in statistical production, within and across statistical organisations; and between users, producers and providers of official statistics.
Generate economies of scale by enabling intra and inter-agency collaboration, especially through reuse of information, methods or technology.

6. Why GSIM (2)
Enable configurable, rule-based and modular ways of producing statistics, thus minimizing human intervention in the production process.
Validate existing information system.
GSIM is a conceptual model:
It is a new way of thinking for statistical organization

7. GSIM version 1.0 Published in December 2012 Composed of
GISM - Communication Paper for a General Statistical Audience
GSIM – Specifications
GSIM – User Gide
GSIM – Structural Classification Model (Dec 2013)

8. GSIM version 1.0 (cont.) Content of the document GSIM - Specifications
I. Introduction
II. Information in a statistical organization
Annex A. Extending the Model
Annex B. Influence of existing standards
Annex C. Glossary
Annex D. UML class diagrams and object descriptions

9. GSIM - relationship to other relevant standards and models

10. GSIM - Structure of the model Top level

11. GSIM - Structure of the model Simplified view

12. GSIM - Structure of the model Alternate simplified view

13. GSIM v. 1.0 Information groups
Specification of information groups
Business Group
is used to capture the designs and plans of Statistical Program
Production Group
is used to describe each step in the statistical process, with a particular focus o describing the inputs and outputs of these steps
Concepts Group
contains sets of information objects that describe and define the terms used when talking about real world phenomena that the statistics measure in their practical implementation

14. GSIM v. 1.0 Information groups (cont.)
Structure Group
contains set of information objects that describe and define the terms used in relation to data structure
Base Group
consists of several information objects that can be seen as the fundamental building blocks that support some other information objects and relationships in the model; (two objects: “identifiable artefact” and “organization”)

15. Object descriptions For each object GSIM provides: a definition
a preferred name
a set of relationships to other information objects
a set of attributes used to describe each object (new attributes may be added in next versions of GSIM)

16. Business Group – Statistical Need

17. Production Group

18. Concepts Group
At an abstract level, a Concept is defined in GSIM as 'unit of thought differentiated by characteristics'. Concepts are used in these situations:
As a Population
As a characteristic (example – variable)
As a Category

19. Concepts Group - Variable

20. Concept Group - Classification

21. Structure Group

22. Base Group - Organization

23. GSIM and GSBPM GSBPM is a business process model
GSIM models information about processes and their inputs and outputs

24. Key points
1. Official statistics organizations have to modernize to survive 2. Modernization is not an IT issue! It is strategic: Defining the future of official statistics 3. GSBPM and GSIM are not software tools – they are new ways of thinking

25. Conclusions Version 1.0 published in December 2012
End of September deadline for submitting comments to the v. 1.0
End of November 2013 – finalizing the review (sprint week), probably new version will be published - no new version
Dec 2013 – new component: GSIM – Structural Classification Model
Long term investment
Good for communication
No common vision on standardisation and industrialisation

26. Useful Links
GSBPM
GSIM
METIS

27. Questions ?

28. Thank you for your attention