This document is the result of the 2018 Data Architecture project. The 2018 DA project was a continuation of the 2017 project, which was the first project to specifically address the data aspects of statistical production.

The main reason for putting the focus on Data is the fact that data is both the raw material, the components and the finished product of Statistical Organisations. Data therefore deserves to be treated as the asset is truly is. The Data Architecture defined by the 2018 project therefore is based on a set of Principles that stress the importance of treating data in appropriate ways.

The main deliverable of the 2018 project is a revised version of the Reference Data Architecture that focusses on the data-related functionality that statistical organisations will need for the design, integration, production and dissemination of official statistics allowing those organisations to use and exploit both traditional and new types of data sources. The main content of the 2018 version is the description of the Capabilities. Capabilities are abilities that an organisation needs or possesses, typically expressed in general and high-level terms. Capabilities typically require a combination of organisation, people, processes, and technology for proper implementation.

Another important deliverable of the 2018 project are the Guidelines for the use and implementation of the Reference Data Architecture. These Guidelines also include a Maturity Model that will allow statistical organisations to assess their current situation and to plan their migration to a more mature state.

And finally, the 2018 project defined a number of Use Cases for checking and testing the Reference Data Architecture.

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