CSO ITSIP Project - implementation of new Data Management System (DMS) ITDG meeting, Luxembourg, October 2006 Presentation by Joe Treacy CSO, Ireland

Central Statistics Office, Ireland 2 In this presentation... Background to the project Resources Brief overview of Data Management System and Statistical Processing modules Progress to date and next steps Key lessons

Central Statistics Office, Ireland 3 Background to the project: History / Key Drivers Legacy of old IT systems Mix of centralised and user-developed IT solutions for statistical systems Islands of data Need to store all CSO statistical data in one RDBMS Efficiencies to be gained from standardising software solution for common statistical processes EU open systems requirements Implications for a new Data Management Strategy Business-led rather than IT-led Need to use metadata and common classifications (CARS) Aim to have one dissemination database for CSO

Central Statistics Office, Ireland 4 Key steps in developing the strategy 2001: Development of new IT strategy for CSO and implementation plan ITSIP: Information Technology Strategic Implementation Plan April 2003: ITSIP Stage A contract (6 Months) - Requirements Specification & High Level Architectural Design Nov 2003: ITSIP Stage B contract (30 Months) - Implementation of new database and processing systems 2 October 2006: UAT completed Q1/2007: Migration to new systems

Central Statistics Office, Ireland 5 Resources: ITSIP Stage B Project - staff resources Implementation contract awarded to Cognizant Technology Systems Cognizant staff on-site in CSO have ranged from 2-17 depending on need Offshore team (Chennai, India) has ranged from depending on project phase CSO was first Irish Government office to choose onshore/offshore IT outsourcing model CSO ITSIP project team: 15 staff About 100 survey staff: data and process specification for 100 surveys; migration; training in new systems; user acceptance testing.

Central Statistics Office, Ireland 6 IT Strategic Implementation Plan ITSIP Project Governance

Central Statistics Office, Ireland 7 I C DMSDatabases D A Data Management System: DMS Logical Data Model - Overview High Level Structural Outline The DMS Comprises Four Databases Two micro-data databases Input (Sybase ASE) Clean Unit Record (Sybase IQ) - snapshot of Input Two macro-data databases Aggregation (Sybase IQ) Dissemination (Sybase IQ) - snapshot of Aggregation All metadata associated with all databases held on Sybase ASE Pre-Input databases incorporate Security, Register, Survey Management and Sample Selection

Central Statistics Office, Ireland 8 Data Flow through the DMS applications and Corporate Data Model

Central Statistics Office, Ireland 9 DMS Overview - Statistical processing modules Security

Central Statistics Office, Ireland 10 DMS Applications - Statistical Processes Register Management Sample Selection Survey Management Data Capture Imputation Aggregation Seasonal Adjustment Dissemination Respondent Management

Central Statistics Office, Ireland 11 Progress to date and next steps User acceptance testing (UAT) has just been completed In Q1/2007, migration to new systems Survey data and statistical processes Majority of CSO survey processing will be handled by the new systems Dissemination Database will be source for all statistics we publish Systems being developed for this System maintenance outsourced for 12 months after data migration Service Level Agreement for maintenance phase being drafted Maintenance will include knowledge transfer in key software / technologies

Central Statistics Office, Ireland 12 Progress to date and next steps: Key issues Training: Customised on-line training product being developed as part of contract with Cognizant New IT skills: “Traditional” IT skills no longer sufficient for new DMS environment: Knowledge transfer deals partly with this Long-term issue of sourcing staff with necessary IT skills - such as Java IT Governance: Management structure and practices of our IT divisions being adjusted to new system Configuration, Change and Release Management: ITIL processes are being implemented by our IT divisions Business-led approach to meeting CSO’s IT needs Based on Service Level Agreements

Central Statistics Office, Ireland 13 Progress to date and next steps: Benefits of the project Very comprehensive documentation of all surveys and processes No more “islands” of data and software Uniform “look and feel” of survey processing systems Benefits for staff induction, training and mobility More secure data storage and management Use of Dissemination Database To generate tables in releases and publications To supply more data on-line

Central Statistics Office, Ireland 14 Key Lessons Knowing where you want to go: Detailed specification very important This provided basis for a fixed price contract Greater certainty about scope and deliverables Managing the contract requires high-level expert resources: CSO project team of about 15 staff (2 at Head of Division level) Organisational support: Over 100 survey managers have been involved in the project Detailed, intensive, time-consuming work - specification, testing etc. Ongoing maintenance and expert support of new systems: This will involve many new challenges for CSO.

Central Statistics Office, Ireland 15 Thank you! Any Questions?