Generic Statistical Information Model (GSIM) Ebbo Petrikovits Czech Statistical Office ebbo.petrikovits@czso.cz

Content What is GSIM? Why GSIM? GSIM v 1.0 Information groups Conclusions Questions

What is GSIM? (1) reference framework of information objects, which enables generic descriptions of the definition, management, and use of data and metadata throughout the statistical production process. internationally agreed set of definitions, attributes and relationships that describe the pieces of information that are used in the production of official statistics.

What is GSIM (2) common language to describe information that supports the statistical production process from the identification of user needs through to the dissemination of statistical products. is aligned with relevant standards, such as DDI and SDMX, but it is not directly tied to them, neither to specific technologies nor other concrete implementation details. GSIM provides common semantics that can be used unambiguously across and between different implementations.

Why GSIM (1) Provide definitions of the information objects supporting all statistical business processes, especially those defined in the GSBPM. Improve communication between different disciplines involved in statistical production, within and across statistical organisations; and between users, producers and providers of official statistics. Generate economies of scale by enabling intra and inter-agency collaboration, especially through reuse of information, methods or technology.

Why GSIM (2) Enable configurable, rule-based and modular ways of producing statistics, thus minimizing human intervention in the production process. Validate existing information system. GSIM is a conceptual model: It is a new way of thinking for statistical organization

GSIM version 1.0 Published in December 2012 Composed of GISM - Communication Paper for a General Statistical Audience GSIM – Specifications GSIM – User Gide GSIM – Structural Classification Model (Dec 2013)

GSIM version 1.0 (cont.) Content of the document GSIM - Specifications I. Introduction II. Information in a statistical organization Annex A. Extending the Model Annex B. Influence of existing standards Annex C. Glossary Annex D. UML class diagrams and object descriptions

GSIM - relationship to other relevant standards and models

GSIM - Structure of the model Top level

GSIM - Structure of the model Simplified view

GSIM - Structure of the model Alternate simplified view

GSIM v. 1.0 Information groups Specification of information groups Business Group is used to capture the designs and plans of Statistical Program Production Group is used to describe each step in the statistical process, with a particular focus o describing the inputs and outputs of these steps Concepts Group contains sets of information objects that describe and define the terms used when talking about real world phenomena that the statistics measure in their practical implementation

GSIM v. 1.0 Information groups (cont.) Structure Group contains set of information objects that describe and define the terms used in relation to data structure Base Group consists of several information objects that can be seen as the fundamental building blocks that support some other information objects and relationships in the model; (two objects: “identifiable artefact” and “organization”)

Object descriptions For each object GSIM provides: a definition a preferred name a set of relationships to other information objects a set of attributes used to describe each object (new attributes may be added in next versions of GSIM)

Business Group – Statistical Need

Production Group

Concepts Group At an abstract level, a Concept is defined in GSIM as 'unit of thought differentiated by characteristics'. Concepts are used in these situations: As a Population As a characteristic (example – variable) As a Category

Concepts Group - Variable

Concept Group - Classification

Structure Group

Base Group - Organization

GSIM and GSBPM GSBPM is a business process model GSIM models information about processes and their inputs and outputs

Key points 1. Official statistics organizations have to modernize to survive 2. Modernization is not an IT issue! It is strategic: Defining the future of official statistics 3. GSBPM and GSIM are not software tools – they are new ways of thinking

Conclusions Version 1.0 published in December 2012 End of September 2013 - deadline for submitting comments to the v. 1.0 End of November 2013 – finalizing the review (sprint week), probably new version will be published - no new version Dec 2013 – new component: GSIM – Structural Classification Model Long term investment Good for communication No common vision on standardisation and industrialisation

Useful Links GSBPM http://www1.unece.org/stat/platform/display/metis/The+Generic+Statistical+Business+Process+Model GSIM http://www1.unece.org/stat/platform/display/gsim/GSIM+v1.0 http://www1.unece.org/stat/platform/display/hlgbas METIS http://www1.unece.org/stat/platform/display/metis/METIS-wiki

Questions ?

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