Variables documentation system in Statistics Norway Anne Gro Hustoft (agt@ssb.no) Jenny Linnerud (jal@ssb.no)

Vardok (Variable Documentation System) The most important purposes: A central system for documenting ”all” variables in Statistics Norway (e.g. definition, validity period, code list....) A tool for harmonising names and definitions of variables. User involvement! Stepwise development!

Organisational information Project group consisting of 1 standards, 2-4 subject matter and 2 IT specialists Reference group consisting of heads of relevant divisions Steering group consisting of heads of relevant departments

Development process using contextual design (2001-2002) Mapping of user needs and present status of variable documentation Interviews with representatives of subject matter divisions directly involved Paper prototyping, test version, testing User involvement: 15 divisions and 42 people Pilot version put into production 2002

Development process (2003) Linking to other metadata systems Resources spent 2001-2003 A bit more than 3 man years (more than 70% IT) Status 2002: 158 variables 2003: 510 variables documented in total

Linking to other metadata systems DataDok Variable definitions VarDok About the statistics File descriptions Reports StatBank Norway Stabas Classifications Dissemination

Exit Edit Language Search Print Help News Windows Valid from File descriptions Owned by Definition Name Short name Approved for Internet Internal use External Search Contact to Sensitivity Ext. source Int. source Statistic Theme Code list Standard Comments Ext. docum. Int. docum. Unit Copy id by Edited Created Cancel Save Print No Ordinary Standard Industrial Classification Yes

Challenges in future development Variables based on other variables: VarA=VarB+VarC Multilingual functionality Vardok’s place in the production process Ownership of variables - Internet