CSPA

Common Statistical Production

Architecture

GSBPM, GSIM and

GAMSO as a framework
for describing statistical
production
process and supporting
Carlo Vaccari
Istat (vaccari@istat.it)
information

THE CONTRACTOR IS ACTING UNDER A FRAMEWORK CONTRACT CONCLUDED WITH THE COMMISSION

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GSBPM background
Defining and mapping business processes in
statistical organisations started at least 10 years ago
Many terms used:
“Statistical value chain”
“Survey life-cycle”
“Statistical process cycle”
“Business process model”

Now: Generic Statistical Business Process Model

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Why do we need a model?
To define, describe and map statistical processes in
a coherent way
To standardize process terminology
To compare / benchmark processes within and
between organizations
To identify synergies between processes
To make informed decisions on systems
architectures and organization of resources

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Applicability
All activities undertaken by producers of official
statistics which result in data outputs

National and international statistical organizations

Independent of data source, can be used for:

Surveys / censuses
Administrative sources / register-based statistics
Mixed sources
Big Data?

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 Structure of the model
Process

Phases

Sub-
processes

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Current version

April 2009: version 4.0

December 2013: version 5.0
Now taken over from HLG
Main changes 5.0:
Phase 8 (Archive) has been removed, and incorporated into
the over-arching process
A new sub-process: "Build or enhance dissemination
components" within the "Build"
Several sub-processes have been re-named
The descriptions of the sub-processes have been updated
and expanded where necessary and now is less survey-centric,
in recognition of the growing use of non-survey sources like
administrative data, big data ...
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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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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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Mapping with other standards

Mapping with other standards:

Mapping to the
Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics

Mapping with DDI

Mapping with SDMX

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National implementations etc.

See in the link experiences from Armenia, Australia,

Canada, Denmark, Eurostat, Ireland, Korea, Spain,
Sweden, Turkey

Other uses:
Process-related metadata
Managing Statistical programs
Tool for Cooperation: Software Inventory

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Relations with CSPA

In the context of statistical modernisation, the aim is to

align the enterprise architectures of different organisations,
creating an “industry architecture” for the whole “official
statistics industry”.
This approach is intended to facilitate collaboration,
sharing and joint development of the components and
services that are needed for the different parts of the
statistical business process (defined in relation to the
GSBPM).
The result is the Common Statistical Production
Architecture (CSPA), first released at the end of 2013.

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GSIM is complementary to GSBPM

Another model is needed to describe information

objects and flows within the statistical business
process

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GSIM
You
are
here

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GSIM
GSIM is a reference framework of internationally agreed
definitions, attributes and relationships that describe the
pieces of information that are used in the production of
official statistics (information objects)
This framework enables descriptions of the definition,
management and use of data and metadata throughout
the statistical information process

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Purposes of GSIM
Improve communication
Generate economies of scale
Enable greater automation
Provide a basis for flexibility and innovation
Build staff capability by using GSIM as a teaching aid
Validate existing information systems

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… standards ...

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… standards ...

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… standards ...

Using common standards,

statistics can be produced
in a more efficient way

No domain is special!

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>100 objects
grouped in
four broad
categories

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Top-level groups
The Business group is includes the designs and plans
of statistical programs i.e. the identification of a Statistical
Need, the Business Processes and their evaluations
The Exchange group is used to catalogue the
information that comes in and out of a statistical
organization via Exchange Channels. It includes objects
about the collection and dissemination of information
The Concepts group is used to define the meaning of
data, providing an understanding of what the data are
measuring
The Structures group is used to describe and define the
terms used in relation to information and its structure
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 may initiate
Statistical Business initiates
Need Case

Statistical
Statistical
Program
Program
changes Design has
design of

identifies defines
• Acquisition
Activity

CONCEPTS
• Production
Activity
• Dissemination
Activity

describes includes
Concept Population specifies comprises
may include
Process
Input
measures
defines comprises
specifies

uses Statistical
Process Step
Activity
Classification Variable Unit
is
associated specifies
has
with describes
Process
output

may include

STRUCTURES PRODUCTIONBUSINESS
has includes uses
Data Data Data
Data Set
Structure Resource Channel

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GSIM long term benefits
GSIM provides a set of standardized information objects, inputs and
outputs in the design and production of statistics, regardless of subject
matter. So GSIM enables statistical organizations to rethink how their
business could be more efficiently organized
GSIM could be used to direct future investment towards areas of
statistical production where the need is greatest
It could also enable some degree of specialization within the
international statistical community
GSIM could:
Create an environment prepared for reuse and sharing of
methods, components and processes
Provide the opportunity to implement rule based processes
Facilitate generation of economies of scale through
development of common tools

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GSIM immediate benefits
A significant benefit of using GSIM is that it provides a common
language to improve communication at different levels:
Between different roles in statistical production (business / IT)
Between the different statistical subject matter domains
Between statistical organizations at national/international levels
More efficient exchange of data and metadata within and between
statistical organizations, and also with external users and suppliers
GSIM can be used by organizations now to:
Build capability among staff by using GSIM as a teaching aid to
understand view of complex information and clear definitions
Validate existing information systems and compare with
emerging international best practice
Guide development of international or local standards to ensure
they meet the needs of the international statistical community

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Move to GSIM in practice
GSIM could lead to:

A foundation for standardized statistical metadata use throughout

systems
A standardized framework to aid in consistent and coherent design
capture
Increased sharing of system components
Common terminology across and between statistical agencies
It allows NSIs and standards bodies, such as SDMX and DDI, to
understand and map common statistical information and processes.

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GAMSO
GAMSO stands for Generic Activity Model for Statistical Organizations

GAMSO extends and complements the Generic Statistical Business

Process Model (GSBPM) by adding additional activities needed to
support statistical production.

When the GSBPM was developed, such activities were referred to as

over-arching processes but not elaborated in any great detail.

The GAMSO draws heavily on two existing models:

The GSBPM v5.0, which provides the contents of the Production
activity area
The Statistical Network business activity model, which provides the
basis for the Strategy and leadership, Capability management and
Corporate support activity areas.
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GAMSO

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GAMSO
Like the GSBPM, the GAMSO aims to provide a common vocabulary
and framework to support international collaboration activities,
particularly in the field of modernisation.

Some expected uses of the GAMSO are listed below:

As a basis for resource planning within a statistical organisation
As a basis for the measurement of costs of producing statistics
As a tool to help assess the readiness of organisations to implement
different aspects of modernisation
To support risk management systems
To support the implementation of enterprise architectures
To help to measure and communicate the value of statistical
modernisation activities across an organisation

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GAMSO structure

http://www1.unece.org/stat/platform/display/GAMSO/Structure

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GAMSO: Strategy & Leadership
High-level strategic activities that enable statistical organisations to
deliver the products and services needed by governments and
communities nationally and internationally.
The activities influence, shape and drive future directions and
investments through the development of high-level strategies to
develop organisational capabilities and the statistical product and
service portfolio.

http://www1.unece.org/stat/platform/display/GAMSO/Strategy+and+leadership

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GAMSO: Capability management
These activities support the development and monitoring of the
capabilities that underpin an organisation's ability to conduct its
business.
They aim principally at promoting the re-use and sharing of
infrastructure (statistical and technical), both inside the organisation
and across organisations, thus facilitating harmonisation and
coherence of statistical outputs.

http://www1.unece.org/stat/platform/display/GAMSO/Capability+management

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GAMSO: Corporate support
These activities cover the cross-cutting, functions required by the
organisation to deliver its work programme efficiently and effectively.

http://www1.unece.org/stat/platform/display/GAMSO/Corporate+support

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