On behalf of the team updating the UN Handbook on Statistical Organization

The UN Handbook on Statistical Organization is a guide for senior managers in national statistical organizations. It is being updated during 2017-19 (see https://unstats.un.org/unsd/statcom/49th-session/documents/2018-5-Handbook-E.pdf), using GAMSO as a basis for the structure of the new version of the handbook. GAMSO is generally suitable for this purpose (with some adaptations), but the team working on the handbook felt that some of the terminology in GAMSO is not sufficiently generic, outside of a small group of some of the more advanced statistical organizations. For example, under "Define Vision" (in Strategy and Leadership), the terminology in the following bullet points was seen as being too "western", and not easily transferable to other cultures:

  • Determine vision, mission and strategic goals
  • Determine organizational value proposition
  • Determine and communicate values and expectations
  • Create interest and awareness

More generic versions could be:

  • Define a vision of where the organization wants to be in x years
  • Create a strategy of how to get there
  • Communicate the vision and strategy to staff and other stakeholders


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