ESSnet Workshop Rome 3 4 December Rome 2012

ESSnet Workshop Rome 3 - 4 December Rome 2012 Memobust: harmonisation and integration issues Rob van de Laar Division of Process development, IT and Methodology and Development department Statistics Netherlands

Outline 1. Background / goals of the project 2. Harmonisation and integration: technical instruments 3. Harmonisation and integration: project organisation 4. After the project Memobust: harmonisation and integration issues 1

1. Background / goals of the project • Two phases: Jan 2011 – June 2012; September 2012 – February 2014 • Main goal: supporting production of business statistics • identify common methodology & best practices • up to date information made public, free accessible • Intended for • countries in the European Statistical System • national Statistical Institutes in business statistics Memobust: harmonisation and integration issues 2

2. Harmonisation and integration: three technical instruments a. Modules for methodology of Business Statistics b. Templates for fixed format modules c. Glossary integrated from local glossaries • Harmonisation at a European level: standard methods and how and when to use them Memobust: harmonisation and integration issues 3

2 a. Harmonisation by use of Memobust modules • A set of ~115 interconnected modules. More in the 2 nd phase of the project • Parallel work of 7 European countries • Source of knowledge, aid in the design and production of business statistics • Each module is formally reviewed by partner countries until acceptance using the Memobust review template: it evaluates 7 aspects. Memobust: harmonisation and integration issues 4

2 b. Harmonisation by the Memobust Templates • Theme template of general nature, for general information • Method template more technical, for statistical methods - Fixed format modules only - Relations between modules provide structure and prevent overlap - Intended broad readership by web access Memobust: harmonisation and integration issues 5

Items in the Method template Example items (in exhaustive): - summary - general description of the method - preparatory phase - recommended use of the method - input data - logical preconditions - output data - quality indicators - actual use of the method at NSI’s The items give practically relevant aspects of methods. Instructions to the author provided. Memobust: harmonisation and integration issues 6

2 c. Harmonisation using a Memobust Glossary - Compliance of terms with • standard processes in GSBPM • standard terminology in SDMX - One ‘global’ glossary for all modules - Desired integration with other ESSnet glossaries Memobust: harmonisation and integration issues 7

Harmonisation of terms: synonyms • If appropriate the SDMX term is used in all modules • Synonyms current in different contexts e. g. business and social statistics are allowed • Within one module synonyms are avoided Memobust: harmonisation and integration issues 8

Harmonisation of terms: homonyms • If appropriate the SDMX definition is used in all modules • Homonyms current in specialised contexts e. g. business and social statistics are allowed • Within one module homonyms are avoided Memobust: harmonisation and integration issues 9

3 a. Harmonisation by the Topic Leaders The Topic Leaders harmonise and integrate the structure of modules within each topic. Now we have 23 topics, for instance: • • • Overall design Data collection Weighting and Estimation Repeated ‘Surveys Statistical Registers Memobust: harmonisation and integration issues 10

3 b. Harmonisation by the Editorial Board The Editorial Board (E. B. ) harmonises and integrates between topics: • • • decide if topic leaders do not agree quality check of reviewed and accepted modules harmonisation between modules in different topics A protocol for the E. B. policy is used, including a flowchart Memobust: harmonisation and integration issues 11

3 c. Harmonised input from other ESSnet projects • Extending the scope in an integrated way: • invitation to contribute by adding modules in the standard format • Additional modules and terms integrate with existing Memobust modules and terms • The entire field of official statistics, e. g. social statistics Memobust: harmonisation and integration issues 12

4. After the project (suggestions) • Standardisation of statistical processes by use of identified statistical methods, and documentation in modular form • Keep content up to date: dedicated projects for updating modules • Goal: an extended structured framework of approved generic statistical methods for European production of official statistics Memobust: harmonisation and integration issues 13