1. Using the Checklist for SDMX Data Providers
I’m presenting this but the Global DSDs have required a great collaboration at all levels in many different organisations – involving senior management, statisticians, technicians, project managers, methodologists, etc.

2. The Checklist

3. Introduction
The aim of the Checklist for SDMX Data Providers is to help statistical agencies implement the provision of SDMX data based on existing structures
A prerequisite before starting SDMX implementation is to have SDMX structural metadata artefacts defined and stored in a shared location (such as the Global SDMX Registry)
The design project may not have been done by you
The checklist is complementary to the Checklist for SDMX Design Projects, which describes how such artefacts are created
Based on Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM)
This is a work-in-progress

4. Examples of Use Preparing a pilot phase for a Global DSD
Dissemination of data using SDMX for national needs or for international agreements (e.g. SDDS+ adherence in cooperation with IMF)
Use as a point of reference for project managers and other project participants to speed up implementations based on best practises

5. How to use it Every activity can be clicked to view its details
Every activity has a required output to guide the user how to advance the project
Not all activities are compulsory: it depends on the statistical agencies starting point, such as on the level of technology available, and the statistical and SDMX knowledge
The order of activities do not require a sequential/waterfall implementation, and there will naturally be some feedback loops; for example, after the Test phase it could be necessary to return to the Design or Planning phases.
The checklist should be usable with most project management methodologies such as Waterfall, KANBAN, Scrum, etc.

6. Specify Needs

7. Participation to data exchange implementation groups
The data provider representatives should participate in (or be informed by) groups (e.g. working parties) for the implementation of the SDMX exchange.
These meetings will usually involve data providers from different SDMX implementation maturity levels and several disciplines e.g. subject-matter areas, IT, methodology, senior management.
Output of this phase:
Input to the SDMX implementation documents (such as the project plan and maintenance agreement)
Information for the data provider in order to implement the SDMX exchange, such as allowing the drafting of internal implementation project plans (the next phase)

8. Analyse project internally, make "go/no go" decision
The main goal of this phase is to analyse those requirements and decide whether to participate in the project or not.
Involve all stakeholders to compile the following information:
the impact on the current statistical business process, can use the GSBPM 
support from management to secure a mandate for the project
the IT actions to be performed for the success of the project;
the resources and budget required for the project;
identify capacity building that is required and the cost.
Previous project evaluations/lessons learned  may help
Outputs of this phase:
Impact analysis of project implementation;
Cost/benefit report;
Resource and capacity building planning;
A go/no go decision for the project, or agreement to defer a decision to another time

9. Plan & Organise

10. Appoint project manager and team; define project plan
Appoint a project manager
Define internal project plan
Stakeholders to approve it
Include a roadmap with milestones
List consultation groups and their roles, e.g. Inform, Approve
Create an Issue Log to track issues
An example template is available in the checklist
Outputs of this phase:
the project manager appointment;
the project plan;
the project team member appointments

11. Organise training courses for project members and stakeholders
Training for the needs of the project
Could be SDMX, subject matter, IT-related, tool awareness, etc.
Training for statisticians could focus on understanding the DSDs, Code Lists, and mappings to internal databases
Training for IT people could be on tool implementation, SDMX technical notes
Training should be a part of the roadmap
External courses by organisations should be considered, but
There is already a lot of online material already available on the SDMX.org Learning tab
Outputs of this phase:
a training plan for the project team and stakeholders.

12. Design

13. Design data reporting architecture
The goal is to design the data reporting architecture
Two provisioning methods: Pull and/or Push
Push: Create files and send
Pull: Don’t send. Instead, make the data available through a web service
Pull is recommended to increase timeliness, flexibility, avoid creation of data packages, ease of updating
Need to take security, confidentiality, data volume into account
SDMX Registries should be used to store the artefacts
Outputs of this phase:
 the data reporting architecture design

14. Design IT infrastructure and create test plan
The goal is to design the IT system architecture
Many free SDMX tools already exist for this such as the SDMX Reference Infrastructure, Connectors, Convertors and others
Freemium tools also exist such as SDMX Fusion products
More details on the SDMX.org Tools tab
If new tools are required, use SDMX Source to build them
Contact the SDMX Technical Working Group for guidance with IT infrastructure
SDMX Registries should be used to store the artefacts
Outputs of this phase:
 an IT infrastructure design for the project for implementation

15. Data production analysis and design
The goal is to design a new data production process
Compare the current domain implementation to the one required by this project
For example, it may require a new data collection or aggregation to satisfy the reporting requirements
There may be mappings required from existing structures to the DSDs
Outputs of this phase:
A new data production design

16. Build

17. Implement IT Infrastructure
The goal is to implement the design from the previous Design IT Infrastructure phase
Mobilise the IT resources outlined in the project plan
If new tools have been created, it is important to consider offering them to the SDMX community.
Contact the SDMX Technical Working Group for this
Outputs of this phase:
The IT infrastructure, ready for testing

18. Map internal structure metadata to DSDs
If it has been decided to map internal data to the reporting framework, the goal is to create mappings between the DSDs and the local databases
The mappings are for:
Translate incoming SDMX queries to query the correct internal data
Output the internal data using the coding of the DSDs
Existing Tools are available to create and maintain mappings
Outputs of this phase:
The mappings themselves
The transformation system

19. Testing
The goal is to test the tools in the BUILD phase so that they satisfy the outputs from the DESIGN phase
Internal testing followed by a pilot phase
Pilot phase often a part of a data exchange project such as National Accounts
Use of the Issue log is crucial to track problems and resolutions
Testing continues until issue log is empty or issues are prioritised for a later project
Outputs of this phase:
The updated Issue log
The updated test plan

20. Disseminate

21. Release production data
The goal is to release the production data to the terms agreed in the project plan
Important to monitor the correct functioning of the system
Mobilise the resources required to maintain the systems and data flows
Outputs of this phase:
the functioning data exchange;
the project end
move to a maintenance/support phase

22. End of project A milestone rather than a phase
Make any announcements as specified in the project plan
Useful to inform SDMX community of the implementation to encourage reuse:

23. Evaluate

24. Evaluate project
The goal is to make a “lessons learned” document for future projects to learn from successes and challenges
Important to monitor the correct functioning of the system
Mobilise the resources required to maintain the systems and data flows
Outputs of this phase:
a project evaluation/"lessons learned" document to be used as starting point for a new project

25. Thank you Google for “Checklist for SDMX Data Providers”
David Barraclough
SDMX Official Website:
Technical Working Group:
Statistical Working Group: