1. Towards an ESS architecture ITDG Item 3.4
J.M. Museux
Unit B2 : Methodology & Research

2. Objectives
To check the need for a more structured approach of the Join strategy
To inform on Eurostat initiative (next 12 months) exploring the benefits of EA approaches for supporting strategic planning
To share experience in the domain
October 2011
ITDG

3. Join strategy : how we produce EU statistics
The development of data warehouses and HUB mode/technology for enabling vertical integration of processes and the development of multipurpose statistics
The development of interoperability of systems through the reuse of IT tools and sharing of resources (SOA, distributed architecture, data and metadata exchange standards (SDMX), metadata repositories, etc.).
The development of metadata systems, methodological and statistical standards and common IT tools aiming at industrialisation of production processes.
Innovation in methods for producing statistics like reuse existing data sources, data matching and linking, mixed modes approach, visualisation and macro validation … aiming at efficiency gains and quality improvements.
Better documentation of processes (process indicators and metadata) as a back bone for monitoring efficiency-quality trade off and quality assurance.
October 2011
ITDG

4. ESS actions required
Legal framework : from stove pipe legislation to cross cutting framework legislation
Methodological developments /standardisation
Best practices – guidelines – rules
Implemented in common tools
Modernisation of IT infrastructure (SOA, web services, distributed and cloud computing, use of standardised IT solutions)
Standardisation and industrialisation
Common description and semantic
Common data exchange standard
Common metadata
Common tools
BACK
October 2011
ITDG 4

5. ESS architectures International standards BACK 18-19 October 2011 ITDG5

6. Problem statement – why
Many initiatives aiming at implementing the joint strategy
ESSnets : 26 projects since 2008
various scope (targeting multiple layers)
more or less well defined target
use significant resources in some MSs and Eurostat
Eurostat Vision infrastructure projects (VIPS) and flagship projects like EGR and Census Hub
Strategic initiatives
Sponsorship on Standardisation,
Business owners strategic plan (BSDG, DSS, CPSA)
BACK
October 2011
ITDG 6

7. How do we put order into this picture
Standardisation
Stand Prep
SDC
Harm
Data
Matching
Memobust
Communication DW DI
Pillar
Data
Validation
New
Diss
Consistency
NAPS
CORE DW
Demetra+
Argus+
EGR
SDMX
Quality
Decentralised
Access
SICON
ESSnet
Sponsorship
VIP
October 2011
ITDG
Common tools

8. Problem statement – why
Many of these projects will deliver significant pieces of a future of architecture
How do we ensure that they don’t overlap / are complementary ?
How do we ensure that they are sustainable ?
How will we decide on next steps, on projects to continued, merged or even stopped ?
How do we ensure that result can/will be implemented ?
BACK
October 2011
ITDG 8

9. Needs
a comprehensive and articulated view of an ESS business process which includes MSs and Eurostat.
Highlighting need for standardisation and inter operability.
Establishing vocabulary and scope
to define a framework to identify priorities among projects and their actual contribution
to define fundamental principles to ensure the coherence of the actions launched at different levels;
BACK
October 2011
ITDG 9

10. Needs
to secure that ESS corporative instruments like ESSnets deliver results that can be reused in different contexts and across domains.
to ensure that ESS projects systematically draw on existing development avoiding reinventing the wheel;
to ensure the business relevance of infrastructure development and to articulate on going development in business domains with the cross domain infrastructure developments;
October 2011
ITDG 10

11. Needs
to define a road map towards the target and set up mechanisms to check alignment with the joint strategy;
to engage short term actions compatible with target
October 2011
ITDG 11

12. Eurostat initiative
Set up an architecture function in Eurostat to support strategic decision process (ESS and Eurostat)
Explore stakeholder (business owners) needs for implementing the Joint Strategy
Sketch and discuss with ESS partners the value of an ESS Enterprise Architecture
To map existing initiatives and to address recommendations to strenghten Joint strategy implementation
To sketch a roadmap towards the target and initiate priority actions
October 2011
ITDG 12