1. Ulrich Wieland, Eurostat Statistics Explained – introducing a new approach to dissemination

2. Statistics Explained, UN-ECE Work session, Paris 30.6.-2.7.2010 2 The problem Large amounts of value-added content available in publications Publications do not easily reach the audience Production process for publications is very cumbersome -> The Eurostat management committee asked for more effective ways of dissemination

3. Statistics Explained, UN-ECE Work session, Paris 30.6.-2.7.2010 3 The approach Using Wiki for content creation Collaborative approach Same software as Wikipedia (Mediawiki) http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/statistics_explained

4. Statistics Explained, UN-ECE Work session, Paris 30.6.-2.7.2010 4 Three steps of implementation Developing the concept Developing an operational system and opening it to the public Integrating the system in Eurostat‘s business processes

5. Statistics Explained, UN-ECE Work session, Paris 30.6.-2.7.2010 5 Implementation timetable January 2008 Request from Management Committee September 2008: First prototype November 2008: Concept approved by the Management Committee September 2009: Opening to the public 2010 – 2011 Integration into Eurostat’s business processes

6. Statistics Explained, UN-ECE Work session, Paris 30.6.-2.7.2010 6 A quick start Use of open source software Prototyp could be deloped with available resources (most work was done by a trainee) Substantial amount of content was available

7. Statistics Explained, UN-ECE Work session, Paris 30.6.-2.7.2010 7 Technical infrastructure Mediawiki (also used for Wikipedia) Numerous extensions to adapt to the Eurostat requirements Piwik for tracking the usage The system is exclusively based on open source software Total technical work (including experimenting and testing) is about 15 man-months

8. Statistics Explained, UN-ECE Work session, Paris 30.6.-2.7.2010 8 Implicating information producers Main discussion points Responsibility for content Quality control Freshness of information Relation to publications Relations to the Eurostat website Workload

9. Statistics Explained, UN-ECE Work session, Paris 30.6.-2.7.2010 9 Responsibility for content, and quality control Balance between efficient cooperative working and the need to control the content Updating by all Eurostat staff Validation of content by the competent statistical unit; each page is owned by one unit Validation of layout, language, structure, readability, hyperlinks etc. by the dissemination unit Pages are only visible to outside staff when validated by both the statistical unit and the dissemination unit All changes are traced

10. Statistics Explained, UN-ECE Work session, Paris 30.6.-2.7.2010 10 Freshness of information Manual updates rather than automatic updates of information Clear indication of the date of the article Regular manual updating (at least annually) to be inforced

11. Statistics Explained, UN-ECE Work session, Paris 30.6.-2.7.2010 11 Statistics Explained and publications Reversing the workflow Some major publications will remain, but most will be replaced by Statistics Explained Statistics Explained Authors Users Flagship publications Printed products PDFs Archive (Publications office)

12. Statistics Explained, UN-ECE Work session, Paris 30.6.-2.7.2010 12 Relation to the Eurostat website Statistics Explained is an integral part of the Eurostat website Extensive hyperlinking between Statistics Explained and other parts of the website Overlap with other parts of the website needs to be avoided

13. Statistics Explained, UN-ECE Work session, Paris 30.6.-2.7.2010 13 Advantages and disadvantages of Ststaitics Explained + simplification of the production process + high visibility on the Internet + ease of use -new tool to learn -Need to reorganise the production process (especially if external contactors are involved -Need to change the habits of users

14. Statistics Explained, UN-ECE Work session, Paris 30.6.-2.7.2010 14 Introducing the system I Early adopters: Direct support to create show cases –Several personnel initiatives to create/modify articles –SBS publication and Sustainable development publication –Statistics in Focus Manual and guidelines for information producers Training courses Strong support by the hierarchy

15. Statistics Explained, UN-ECE Work session, Paris 30.6.-2.7.2010 15 Introducing the system II Large scale introduction Obligatory update of the yearbook pages through Statistics Explained Management Committee decision to stop publications which can be easily replaced by Stastistics Explained Further courses and improved guidelines

16. Statistics Explained, UN-ECE Work session, Paris 30.6.-2.7.2010 16 Keys to quick success Strong support by the hierarchy Avoiding technical complexity Early discussions with users Availibility of content in suitable form (e.g. Yearbook) Mixed project team

17. Statistics Explained, UN-ECE Work session, Paris 30.6.-2.7.2010 17 Contact Ulrich Wieland, Eurostat ulrich.wieland@ec.europa.eu Marc Debusschere, Eurostat marc.debusschere@ec.europa.eu