United Nations Economic Commission for EuropeStatistical DivisionUnited Nations Economic Commission for EuropeStatistical Division

Exploring the relationship between DDI, SDMX and the Generic

Statistical Business Process Model

Steven Vale, UNECE

Steven Vale - UNECE Statistical Division Slide 2

Contents

Introducing the GSBPM Links to DDI and SDMX Combining Standards to Industrialize

Official Statistics Conclusions

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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

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Topics

P r o c e s s e s

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Which processes?

Defining and modelling processes in statistical organisations started at least 10 years ago• “Statistical value chain”• “Survey life-cycle”• “Statistical process cycle”• “Business process model”

Steven Vale - UNECE Statistical Division Slide 6

Which processes?

Defining and modelling processes in statistical organisations started at least 10 years ago• “Statistical value chain” X• “Survey life-cycle” X• “Statistical process cycle” X• “Business process model” X

Generic Statistical BusinessProcess Model

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Why do we need a model?

To define and describe statistical processes in a coherent way

To standardize process terminology To compare / benchmark processes within

and between organisations To identify synergies between processes To inform decisions on systems

architectures and organisation of resources

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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

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Structure of the GSBPM

Process

Phases

Sub-processes

(Descriptions)

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Key features

Not a linear model 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

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Links to DDI and SDMX

SDMX standards refer to business processes, but do not have a model

DDI has the Combined Life Cycle Model

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Generic Statistical Business Process Model

DDI 3.0 Combined Life Cycle Model

1 Specify Needs Study Concept Repurposing (part)

2 Design

3 Build

4 Collect Data Collection

5 Process Data Processing (mostly)Repurposing (part)

6 Analyse Data DiscoveryData AnalysisData Processing (part)

7 Disseminate Data Distribution

8 Archive Data Archiving

9 Evaluate

Quality Management

Metadata Management

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Combining standards

“Industrialization” of statistical production GSBPM provides the framework, but

more is needed:• Information model• Data / metadata formats• Modular architecture• Shared development of tools and methods

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Data / metadata formats

SDMX?• Suitable for micro-data??

DDI?• Suitable for exchange of statistical

aggregates? Combined approach?

• Trial by Australian Bureau of Statistics

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Combining standards?

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Conclusions

Too early to say for definite, but:• No single standard meets all requirements• Combine standards?

GSBPM DDI SDMX Others?

More work needed!

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Questions and Comments?

steven.vale@unece.org

METIS Workshop on GSBPM and related standards, 5-7 October 2011, Geneva

DDI community welcome!