1. Copyright 2010, The World Bank Group. All Rights Reserved. Preparing a quality census, part 1 Quality Assurance for census 1

2. Copyright 2010, The World Bank Group. All Rights Reserved. REVIEW PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES Identify what went well Identify what could have been done better – Unanticipated events – Anticipated but not adequately prepared – Management shortcomings – Staff shortcomings 2

3. Copyright 2010, The World Bank Group. All Rights Reserved. STRATEGIC PLAN Develop strategies for success: – Strengthen support for Census – Strengthen capability to conduct the Census Strengthen management capability Strengthen planning tools Strengthen staff capability Strengthen commitment Strengthen delivery infrastructure – Start early 3

4. Copyright 2010, The World Bank Group. All Rights Reserved. CONSULTATION AND ADVOCACY Identify supporters for a census Understand why they support it Build a case for the census Co-opt that support when trying to get government approval and financing of the next census 4

5. Copyright 2010, The World Bank Group. All Rights Reserved. CONSULTATION For each major class of supporter: Determine what they liked about the last census? Determine what they did not like? For the next census: Develop a strategy that builds on the things they like, and Reduces or eliminates what they did not like or, if this is not possible or desirable Emphasize new initiatives that they like 5

6. Copyright 2010, The World Bank Group. All Rights Reserved. PARTNERSHIP Educate the user communities on the importance of census and difficulties of doing it well Co-opt them to serve on the census team Share your plans and solicit their assistance 6

7. Copyright 2010, The World Bank Group. All Rights Reserved. PROMOTING CENSUS National Statistics Council – Notable members of government / business / society – Reviews proposals – Advocates for implementation – Defends the NSO from unfair criticism – Evaluates results 7

8. Copyright 2010, The World Bank Group. All Rights Reserved. PROMOTING CENSUS (cont’d) Content Committees – Government departments – Business associations – Labour associations – Umbrella organizations 8

9. Copyright 2010, The World Bank Group. All Rights Reserved. HANDLING UNREASONABLE REQUESTS Some data users ask for content that is not appropriate for a census:  too specialized  too controversial  too difficult to explain clearly  too time consuming 9

10. Copyright 2010, The World Bank Group. All Rights Reserved. HANDLING UNREASONABLE REQUESTS Cost potential questions Demonstrates the impracticality of adding them to census 10

11. Copyright 2010, The World Bank Group. All Rights Reserved. SETTING THE FRAMEWORK Constitution Act (or equivalent)  Requirement to Conduct Census? Statistics Act  Authority to Conduct Census? Census Act? Order-in-Council?  Direction, Powers, Obligations, Protections Independence vs. Political Interference 11

12. Copyright 2010, The World Bank Group. All Rights Reserved. CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT Staff assessment – Identify gaps Infrastructure assessment – Accommodations – IT Hardware Software – Regional linkages 12

13. Copyright 2010, The World Bank Group. All Rights Reserved. GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS Minimal: Repeat Previous Census Process Moderate: Incorporate Innovations Adopted by Neighbours/Peer NSOs Maximal: Adopt new approaches/technologies 13

14. Copyright 2010, The World Bank Group. All Rights Reserved. BUDGET ALLOCATIONS Budget fixed before phases costed Budget negotiated after operations planned Budget negotiated during planning Budget reduced during implementation 14

15. Copyright 2010, The World Bank Group. All Rights Reserved. PARAMETERS FOR CONTENT Previous content New concerns Needs versus ability to deliver Budget, space and time constraints Respondent tolerance 15

16. Copyright 2010, The World Bank Group. All Rights Reserved. PARAMETERS FOR DISSEMINATION Identify audiences – Interests – Level of detail – Delivery media 16

17. Copyright 2010, The World Bank Group. All Rights Reserved. PARAMETERS FOR DISSEMINATION cont’d ADVOCACY PRODUCTS – Electoral District Profiles – The Country at a Glance – Posters – Maps 17

18. Copyright 2010, The World Bank Group. All Rights Reserved. CENSUS AT SCHOOLS Educating students in the value of statistics Spin-off effects 18

19. Copyright 2010, The World Bank Group. All Rights Reserved. ANALYSIS Assess national census analytical capability – Robust? Needs no support from NSO – Weak? Very little expected without NSO sponsorship – Intermediate? Some support and encouragement needed 19

20. Copyright 2010, The World Bank Group. All Rights Reserved. DEVELOPING A QUALITY CULTURE Talk the talk Walk the walk Recognize those on the path Help those, who stray, back onto the path 20

21. Copyright 2010, The World Bank Group. All Rights Reserved. QUALITY ASSURANCE Set up Quality Control monitoring process – Built into implementation of each Census phase Post Enumeration Survey – Plan for independently conducted PES Quality Assurance Report 21