Transforming Census Bureau Operations Meeting on the Management of Statistical Information Systems (MSIS 2012) Streamlining Statistical Production

Today’s Agenda Challenge: Better Meet Our Clients’ Needs What Have We Done? –In the Regions –At Headquarters Lessons Learned The Road Ahead 2

Future Success Demands Change Our society has changed since our basic survey designs were constructed. Our past success offers no guarantee of future success. Like all successful organizations, we must innovate, become more efficient, flexible, and responsive to our customers. Data ‐ driven management demands a new mindset along with new technologies and systems. We have all the capabilities to succeed in this future. 3

Serving our Client Needs They want: –visible cost controls and cost predictability –us to proactively identify ways to improve their surveys based on examining paradata and response data –clear roles of accountability and responsibility 4

Regional Office Realignment Announced in June 2011 Implementation Began in January 2012 Finished by November 2012 Estimated Savings of $15-18 Million per year Two key elements –Reduction in Offices –Field Management Changes 5

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Program Coordinator Survey Supervisor (CE) Field Rep (CE, CPS)Field Rep (CE, ACS)Field Rep (CE) Senior Field Rep (CE, CPS) Other Survey Supervisors/Senior Field Reps Example Pathways of Communication 8 CEQ/CED CPS ACS

New RO Organization Chart Data Collection Regional Director Assistant Regional Director Coordinator A Survey Statisticians (Field) Field Supervisors Field Representatives Coordinator B Survey Statisticians (Office) Assistant Regional Director Coordinator C Survey Statisticians (Field) Field Supervisors Field Representatives Coordinator D Administration Automation Recruiting Geography Partnership 9

Headquarters Realignment For Reimbursable Demographic Surveys: –Complement the Regional Office Realignment –Leverage Efficiency and Streamline HQ Operations 10

Key Dimensions on Which HQ Options Vary Project authority and resource control. Team composition. Business Process Standards, Protocols and Integration Dimension. 11

HQ Options’ Team Activities Reviewed our current processes Developed options for improvements Solicited input from all managers and staff Solicited input from our clients 12

The New HQ Look 13

HQ Service Providers 14

Survey Team Survey Director Project Manager provides project management support for the entire lifecycle of the survey. Survey Design Members –Questionnaire Design/Development/Edits –Sample Design/Estimation –Data Analysis –Cost Estimation Survey Operations Members –Data Collection –Production analytics –Field Procedures; Training –Data Processing **This team does NOT necessarily have data tabulation and dissemination expertise (depends on sponsor). 15

Survey Director Fully credible authority for all survey decisions: budget, design, methods, innovation. Serves as the central point of contact to the sponsor for entire survey activities and products. Engages sponsors in serving program needs. Anticipates upcoming issues within the survey lifecycle and pro-actively suggests solutions. 16

Shared Lessons Learned 1.Senior Leadership 2.Communication 3.Staff Engagement 4.Real time Monitoring of Effects of Change 17

The Road Ahead 1.Transition of Field Regional Offices 2.Survey Analytics 3.Reimbursable Surveys 18