Diagnostic Framework:
National Accounts and Supporting Statistics
SELF ASSESSMENT TOOL
Seminar on 2008 SNA Implementation
14-16 June 2010, Saint John’s, Antigua and Barbuda
GULAB SINGH
UN Statistics Division
1
Outline of presentation
 Elements of DF tool (for this session)
• Communication and dissemination
• Organisation and management of statistical
organization
Self Assessment Diagnostic Tool
 Communication
• Website
• Electronic format
• Paper copies
 Dissemination
• Accessibility
• Serviceability
Self Assessment Diagnostic Tool
 Organisation and management of Statistical
organization
•
•
•
•
Legal environment
National Statistical Council
Consultations with users
Human resource management
▫
▫
▫
▫
Training and capacity building programmes
National training institutes
Career planning
Management training
• ICT management
▫ Modernization of ICT environment
Data Dissemination
 Accessibility:
Data and metadata are easily available and assistance
to users is adequate.
 Data accessibility- Statistics are presented in a clear
and understandable manner, forms of dissemination are
adequate, and statistics are made available on an
impartial basis.
 Metadata accessibility- Up-to-date and pertinent
metadata are made available.
 Assistance to users- Prompt and knowledgeable
support service is available.
Data Dissemination - Indicators
Accessibility of data:
 Statistics are presented in a way that facilitates proper
interpretation and meaningful comparisons (layout and
clarity of text, tables, and charts).
 Dissemination media and format are adequate.
 Statistics are released on a preannounced schedule.
 Statistics are made available to all users at the same
time.
 Statistics not routinely disseminated are made available
upon request.
Data Dissemination - Indicators
Accessibility of metadata:
 Documentation on concepts, scope, classifications, basis
of recording, data sources, and statistical techniques is
available, and differences from internationally accepted
standards, guidelines, or good practices are annotated.
 Levels of detail are adapted to the needs of the intended
audience.
Assistance to users:
 Contact points for each subject field are publicized.
 Catalogs of publications, documents, and other services,
including information on any changes, are widely
available.
Management of Statistical Organization
Legal and institutional environment- The environment is
supportive of statistics.
Indicators:
 The responsibility for collecting, processing, and
disseminating the statistics is clearly specified.
 Data sharing and coordination among data-producing
agencies are adequate.
 Individual reporters’ data are to be kept confidential and
used for statistical purposes only.
 Statistical reporting is ensured through legal mandate
and/or measures to encourage response
Management of Statistical Organization
National Statistical Council
 An apex national body for statistical matters
 Advisory Committees
• Expert Groups
Consultations with users
 Users are consulted in deciding the statistical agenda
 User producer conference
 User satisfaction suryes
Human Resources Management
Human Resources - are commensurate with
needs of statistical programs in both qualitative and
quantitative terms.
Indicators:
 Staff, facilities, and financing are commensurate with
statistical programs.
 Measures to ensure efficient use of resources are
implemented.
 Training and investment on human capital is provided.
Human Resources Management
Training and capacity building programmes
 The supply of professionals with the skills
required in a statistical agency is as a rule
scarce.
 Introductory cycle:
• Designed for newly recruited staff,
• purpose is to ensure their speedy integration into the
organization, which implies
• both becoming familiar with the traditions of the
statistical agency and being able to make a
contribution in any of the domains or functions within
its scope.
Training and capacity building
Intermediate cycle:
 Designed primarily for those who have worked in a
statistical agency for a period of five to ten years and
who have not had an opportunity to refresh their skills;
The administrative cycle:
 Those who have the potential to fill policymaking
positions within their respective agencies should be
trained in the subjects that will demand their energies
once they reach management levels
National training institute
 Training of statistical personnel at all levels
 Collaboration with academic institutions
Human Resources Management
Career Planning
 Staff retention - major challenges for every
office, whether large or small, well or poorly
endowed
 Job satisfaction
 Comparable remuneration
ICT Management
 The effective management of IT in a statistical office is a
careful balance of management discipline coupled with
the innovative application of new and progressive
technologies.
Indicators:
• Attention from top-level management in ensuring that
computing resources are commensurate with statistical
programs;
• Effective risk analysis in guiding direction;
• Avoidance of untried leading-edge technologies;
• End-user involvement in project formulation and
management.
• A deliberate organizational strategy and management model
for managing in-house versus outsourced technical skills.
ICT Management
 An ICT policy exists for the organization
 Software used for compiling and analyzing data
are effectively and periodically updated
 Visits to website are monitored
Thank you