Metadata system(s)
SMS architecture is modular. It is composed of relatively self-sustainable, mutually interlinked subsystems as presented in the diagram below. 
CLASS | Statistical Classification | RESP | Respondents |
VAR | Statistical Variables | D-FUND | Data Fund |
ST | Statistical Tasks | T-SERIES | Time Series |
REG | Registers | DISSEM | Dissemination |
QUALITY | Statistical Quality |
|
|
SMS subsystems
Statistical Classification (CLASS) - maintenance and update of statistical classifications/codelists; the module has been in full operation. It contains about 1000 active code-lists and all international statistical classifications.
Statistical Variables (VAR) - maintenance and update of the catalogue of statistical variables.
Description of VAR is based on the metadata model used for VAR in all stages of SBP; the module is in full operation. It comprise descriptions over 4000 variables.
Statistical Tasks (ST) - maintenance of metadata related to the design and processing of ST (basic characteristics, statistical questionnaires, statistical surveys, other input data, decree on annual programme of statistical surveys, data validation, definition of statistical samples, imputation methods, quality requirements, aggregations, specification of users, time-tables for data collection, applied code-lists, legislation, provider of ICT services, specification of ICT services, etc); the module has been in semi-production run. At present it contains description of building blocks of statistical questionnaires, description of validation rules for selected tasks of economic statistics, description of validation rules, automated corrections derivations and transformations of variables for population census 2011, etc.
Statistical Quality (QUALITY) - maintenance and update of qualitative characteristics and methods for statistical data assessment;the module is in design phase.
Statistical Time Series* (T-SERIES) - maintenance and update of metadata on current statistical time series;; there is an intention to launch a project of this module
Dissemination (DISSEM) - maintenance and update of metadata linked to dissemination of statistical information (statistical publications, electronic outputs, web site, data security etc.); the module has been designed and implemented for formal specification of population census outputs (the first phase of implementation).
Respondents (RESP) - maintenance and update of metadata on respondents, (respondent burden, respondent opinions, reporting duty, links to statistical surveys, etc); this module has been partially implemented, mainly the registration of respondents and for monitoring progress in data collection of economic statistics questionnaires.
Users (USERS) - maintenance and update of metadata on the SIS external users (users' opinions, FAQ, etc.); the implementation of the module has been still opened.
Data Fund (D-FUND) - maintenance and update of metadata on contents and structure of data files included in SIS.A data warehouse has been implemented as the central storage of approved micro and aggregated data; this implementation creates the first phase of the module.
iSMS - Internet presentation of SMS -- new application for presentation of statistical classifications and statistical variables has been developed for external users. There is and intention to extend this application for presentation of selected parts of the TASKS module.
SMS is interlinked with the system of Statistical Registers. The main registers in this system are the following:
- Business Register,
- Register of Census Districts and Buildings, and
- Population Register.
Core principles for SMS implementation
- unified internal users´ interface (search, update, administration),
- unified external users´ interface (navigation, selection, interpretation),
- unified data interfaces between SMS subsystems,
- preserving history of SMS objects,
- update of metadata elements on one place only,
- single authoritative source (registration authority) for each metadata element,
- registration process associated with each metadata element so, that there is a clear identification of ownership, approval status, date of operation etc,
- reuse of metadata where possible for statistical integration as well as efficiency reasons,
- unique storage and update of metadata,
- unified user documentation,
- unified technical documentation,
- standard data protection model,
- consistency of metadata inside the SMS subsystem and between subsystems,
- unified technological tools for implementation.
Steps in implementation of SMS subsystems and responsibility for them
- business system options (BSO) by CZSO,
- technical system options (TSO) by external supplier,
- programming by external supplier,
- testing by CZSO and external supplier,
- pilot processing using selected ST by CZSO and external supplier,
- operational running by CZSO.
Costs and Benefits
a) SMS financing
Principles of SMS financing:
- BSO are prepared by the CZSO and financed from the CZSO budget.
- TSO are prepared by external suppliers and financed partly from the CZSO budget and partly from resources provided by the EU (Transition Facility programmes and Integrated Operational Programme).
b) SMS benefits
- interlink of statistical data and metadata from beginning to end of SBP allows unified and clear data interpretation,
- strengthening the role of methodology throughout SBP,
- systematic data quality assessment,
- upgrading of data dissemination and interpretation to users,
- integration with other ISs of public administration,
- integration with ISs of international organisations (Eurostat, OECD, UN, IMF, etc.),
- tool for defining phases of SBP,
- tool for management of ST processing.
The current progress of the project makes it obvious that SMS strengthens the role of methodology in defining the content, size and coordination of statistical surveys.
The introduction of project management and organisation of work during SMS implementation increased the CZSO research potential without staff's increases. More staff of different profession groups (management, methodologists, statisticians, IT specialists) got involved. Training courses improved the knowledge of SMS subsystems in all profession groups. Communication barriers were reduced between departments involved in SBP (subject-matter departments, methodology, IT).
Implementation strategy
The SMS implementation is, in fact, a 'big-bang' approach. At this time, only statistical classifications are maintained and updated in e-way. Statistical tasks are defined without using metadata. Current application processing tools use different identification of statistical variables for central processing and different meta-identification for variables stored in the output database.
Introduction of the SMS into practice implies a change in the process of preparing and designing STs by statistical departments. These activities will rely on work with metadata and hence on using SMS tools. A prerequisite for the use of SMS functions is availability of an updated metadata base. What has to be done further is to bring into being all functions and organisational measures related to metadata administration. Adequate training of all participating actors should precede the SMS implementation.
The main condition for introduction of SMS into the SIS operational running is its functionality in all stages of SBP. Effective and viable interlink of SMS subsystems interpreted in a unified metadata base is a necessary precondition for that. This requirement predefines priorities in design and implementation of SMS subsystems implementation strategy.
In view of the project comprehensiveness and complexity, SMS should be developed step by step. The step-wise approach, however, has a clearly defined framework.
The first stage of the SMS introduction into the practice (2008-2009)
Pilot project
Subsystems CLASS, VAR, ST and QUALITY have been tested on the Annual Labour Costs Survey.
There is to test functionality of SMS namely for the following activities:
The aim of a pilot project
- definition of ST,
- design of statistical questionnaires,
- data validation (logical control specification),
- design of samples (response duty specifications),
- aggregate specifications,
- output specifications,
- preparation of timetables,
- specification of quality attributes of a statistical task.
The pilot project pre-requires the following:
- to complete a database of statistical classifications (SMS-CLASS),
- to unify methodologically a content of statistical survey(s) for the pilot project,
- to complete a description of statistical variables relevant to the pilot and to ensure their storage in the database (SMS-VAR),
- to create a database for definition of statistical tasks (SMS-ST),
- to develop and test an SMS application program package,
- to develop and make operational statistical data warehouse,
- to establish and make operational an SMS administration,
- to accomplish training of personnel for all professions needed for the pilot project (methodology, subject-matter departments, SMS administration, project preparation, IT applications).
Building up and loading of an SMS database has been for the CZSO an entirely new task. In the newly established SMS-CLASS database, the links to the existing (old) e-system of statistical classifications should be maintained until a complete transition of statistical tasks into the new SIS is accomplished.
The second stage of the SMS introduction into the practice (from 2010 on) will be focused on development, implementation and gradual introduction into practice of SMS subsystems for monitoring of quality, time series, dissemination, respondents and users of statistical information. The second stage will comprise also the completion of SMS-CLASS, VAR, TASKS and D-FUND, namely in terms of their links to the newly prepared SMS subsystems.
Overview of roles and responsibilities
The organisation model of SMS project management must be presented in the context of the model of SIS Redesign management.
Organisation structure of SMS is composed of the Project Steering Committee (PSC), Task Force SMS and the project teams appointed by the CZSO top management for development of individual SMS subsystems. Supervision over the whole project has the top management of the CZSO, which reviews progress reports on SMS subsystems presented by the PSC. Achieved results and/or proposals for changes are subject for the consideration and approval by the CZSO top management. Furthermore, the CZSO top management appoints members of PSC, Task Force SMS and project teams.
The nature of SMS project requires participation of diverse professions in the project teams. Members of the project teams are methodologists, subject-matter statisticians, IT specialists, programmers, specialists on statistical dissemination, users etc. Composition of working teams is flexible, depending on the nature of problems to be solved.
For the operational running the SMS administration must be established and will be an integral part of the organizational structure of the CZSO. According to the present situation the SMS administration will fulfil following roles:
- central administration of SMS,
- administration of the subsystem CLASS,
- administration of the subsystem VAR,
- administration of the subsystem TASKS,
- administration of the subsystem QUALITY.
The set of administration roles will be increased in future in accordance with further development of the SMS.
Organisation model of SMS project management is shown in the following diagram:
Metadata management team
Activities focused on SMS subsystems are organised as follows:
1. Steering committee (SC) for development projects SIS Redesign, SMS and Public Database is headed by the First Vice-President of the CZSO. Members of the SC: management of subject-matter statistics and methodology, IT management and advisor to the President of the CZSO for the SIS and SMS.
The Steering Committee manages conceptually the work on the projects in the CZSO. It continually controls the results of the work (at least once in three months) and takes principal decisions on the way of further work.
2. Members of the project teams (PT) are heads of sections, selected directors and subject-matter experts of the CZSO. The top management appoints the heads of the teams.
The project teams work on design of individual SMS subsystems and cooperate with external project workers in development, testing and putting the subsystem into the CZSO practice.
3. Administrative coordination/organisation of SMS project teams is the responsibility of Task Force SMS in cooperation with the heads of project teams for individual SMS subsystems.
The work includes the preparation of regular progress reports and creation of conditions for activities of external project workers inside the Office.
4. Operational running of the SMS will be incorporated in the CZSO's organisation structure, which will meet the requirements of SMS administration.
Separate CZSO intranet web pages have been built and regularly updated to comply with the need of documentation and information sharing between project teams of SIS Redesign, SMS and Public Database. Documents approved by the project teams are available to all CZSO staff members. These web pages proved to be an important tool for dissemination of SMS information inside the Office.
Training and knowledge management
The SMS department is preparing a number of training activities within the preparation of individual SMS subsystems. They are included in the CZSO's training system. In 2007 courses were prepared on conversion of nomenclatures and classifications into CLASS subsystem, description of variables for VAR subsystem for pilot testing, information on TASKS subsystem, and a general course on SMS development. Also training in currently used SMS terminology (incl. selected international organisations). In year 2008 we have continued in organizing training for subject-matter statisticians and designers of statistical tasks.Partnerships and cooperation
The SMS is an integral part of the State Statistical Service provided by the CZSO. The ongoing "item inventory and analysis" is coordinated with the workplaces of the statistical service in central government institutions.Other issues
.