ESSC 2012/13/2/EN
13thMEETING OF THE
european statistical system coMMITTEE
LUXEMBOURG, 23-24 MAy 2012
Item 2 of the agenda
ESSnet Activity Report and 2013 planning
Theme 6.10
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1.Recommendation for action by the essc
The ESSC is invited to:
- Take note of the actions undertaken for the improvement of ESSnet monitoring.
- Take note of the status of launched ESSnet projects.
- Express its views on the proposed top-down approach for ESSnet from 2013 onwards.
2.Background and brief history
During presentations of ESSnet plans at ESSC meetings in 2009 and 2010, a number of opinions were expressed, and corrective actions were undertaken. Most recently, a 2011 ESSCmeeting required (in addition to clearer information and transparency) better coordination, consolidation of the ESSnet projects (and the dissemination of the results) and expressed concerns regarding the proliferation of projects. In view of these comments, a number of improvement actions were undertaken.
The present document is structured into three parts:
(1)The first, for information, summarizes the improvement actions taken in relation to the conclusions of the 2011 ESSC meeting.
(2)The second, also for information, summarizes the status of ESSnet projects already presented to the ESSC.
(3)The third part, for opinion, presents a new ESSnet strategy, including a topdown “Vision Implementation stream”. This stream should start with a pilot in 2013.
3.Policy context
The Commission Communication on the reengineering of the business production process specifically refers to the use of ESSnet projects as part of “collaborative networks” and underpins the strengths of such an approach in implementing the vision: “Joint structures, tools and processes could be established or further developed through collaborative networks, involving both the national statistical authorities and Eurostat. As foreseen in Article 15 of the Regulation on European Statistics, these collaborative networks between partners of the ESS will facilitate specialisation by certain Member States in specific statistical activities for the benefit of the ESS as a whole. This will avoid duplication of work and thus increase efficiency and reduce the unnecessary burden on respondents.”
In order to better organise ESSnet developments, Eurostat proposes a topdown (Vision Implementation stream) component of the strategy for the ESSnet programmeto the ESSC as an opinion item. This approach was supported by the March 2012 DIME meeting. The ESSC, assisted by DIME, is also expected to provide guidance on possible future areas for ESSnet projects and to comment on those projects which are in progress. After agreement of the ESSC, Eurostat will start preparing the implementation of the topdown “Vision Implementation stream”, which will be the centrepiece of the new strategy for ESSnet projects.
4.Consequences for NSIs
The usual benefits (sharing of knowledge and expertise, savings through pooling of resources, improved quality and increased harmonisation) associated with ESSnet projects would remain with the new proposal (in particular concerning harmonisation, given the general approach of the Vision Implementation stream).
For certain aspects of the future common ESS infrastructure, there is a wide consensus concerning how the vision is to be implemented.The new top-down strategy emphasises the implementation of those aspectsat the ESS level. Thereby, and through the focus on the expected impact of a given project in terms of moving the ESS to the “to be” state, the new top-down strategy will greatly benefit NSIs through a common approach in the implementation of the vision.
5.Outstanding problems
It is important that all ESS members collaborate closely concerning the setting of priorities within the Vision Implementation stream in order to ascertain the consensus necessary for the subsequent implementation of the ESSnet Vision Implementation project results.
6.Risk assessment
The only ESSnet projects planned for 2013 are the Vision Implementation pilot projects and an ESSnet project to support the SIMStat flagship initiative.There is thus a risk for loss of momentum for the ESSnet programme.
It is therefore important that the new top-down approach, including the Vision Implementation pilot projects, is launched without undue delay.
7.Next steps
A pilot phase, following the general top-down approach set out in the document, would lead to the launch in 2013 of one or two ESSnet projects. The ESSnet Vision Implementation stream would then be opened in the beginning of 2013 for ESSnet projects to be launched in 2014.
Report on ESSnet projects 2010-2011 and ESSnet plan 2012
1.Introduction
During presentations of ESSnet plans at ESSC meetings in 2009 and 2010, a number of opinions were expressed, and corrective actions were undertaken. Most recently, a 2011 ESSC meeting required (in addition to clearer information and transparency) better coordination, consolidation of the ESSnet projects (and the dissemination of the results) and expressed concerns regarding the proliferation of projects. In view of these comments, a number of improvement actions were undertaken.
The only ESSnet projects planned for 2013 are the Vision Implementation pilot projects and an ESSnet project to support the SIMStat flagship initiative.
The present document is structured into four parts:
- The first, for information (section 2 below), summarizes the improvement actions taken in relation to the conclusions of the 2011 ESSC meeting.
- The second, also for information (section 3 below), summarizes the status of ESSnet projects already presented to the ESSC.
- The third part, for opinion (section 4 below), presents a possible top-down component of the ESSnet strategy to be implemented in the future.
The ESSC is invited to:
- Take note of the actions proposed to improve the ESSnet framework conditions.
- Take note of the status of launched ESSnet projects.
- Express its views on the proposed top-down approach for ESSnet for 2013 onwards.
2.Actions undertaken following the conclusions of the 11th ESSC meeting
2.1.Improved exchange of information and consolidated information
The ESSnet portal has been populated with information to the greatest possible extent. Moreover, the ESSnet and CROS portals will be merged for better synergies and integration of activities.
Two ESSnet training events were organised in 2011 (Bucharest, Riga) and one is foreseen for 2012.
In 2011, the annual ESSnet workshop was organisedin Cologne. The next workshop is foreseen for November 2012 (location to be determined).
2.2.Evaluation of ESSnet projects
The annual scientific evaluation of ESSnet projects is foreseen to continue. Resources for this activity have been secured until 2014. The 2011 evaluation report is available on the ESSnet portal[1]. The 2012 evaluation (based on deliverables available on the ESSnet portal) is currently ongoing.
An ex ante evaluation, following evaluation criteria approved by ESSC has to be provided for each new ESSnet proposal.
2.3.Financing rates
A uniform percentage of funding in ESSnet is not possible because of different approaches, financing decisions (MEETS, ESTAT) and also because the objectives of ESSnet are different (the more ESS-level needs are targeted, the more the financing % increases).
In the context of previous external evaluations of ESSnet projects it has been suggested that the financing percentage should be lowered in order to more actively “involve” the Member States in the achievement of the results.
2.4.Coordination with other initiatives
The first elements of links between the ESSnet projects, Eurostat laboratory activities, the Vision Infrastructure Projects and the Sponsorship initiatives are being elaborated and are provided as a room document to the ESSC.
3.ESSnet state of play
A full list of ESSnet projects is provided in Annex I. Eurostat has commissioned an overall scientific assessment of recently finished ESSnet projects (and projects for which substantial deliverables have been provided).A draft final version report was made available to Eurostat by the end of February[2]. The definite final version will be uploaded to the ESSnet portal1.
To summarise the evaluation findings:
- “A tendency of fragmentation of ESSnet projects is still visible. Introduction of a smaller number of larger projects might help in fighting against fragmentation.”
The new top-down strategy addresses this recommendation - “More efforts should be made to connect and profit from similar projects in other areas be it science, administration or business. The ESS-community often seems very closed on itself.”
The new merged ESSnet/CROS portal would serve to better integrate academia and NSI practitioners. Moreover, the ESSnet workshop in Cologne, to which coordinators of the ESSnet projects were invited, will be followed up by a similar workshop in the fall of 2012. - “The evaluation of projects, products, options in ESSnet seems to be mainly qualitative. Very seldom the costs/benefits or the risks are quantified.More quantification would be perfectly in line with the movement for more analytics in business environments[3].”
This would be consistent with the systematic evaluation of benefits foreseen in the new strategy.
4.Proposed new strategy
The new strategy distinguishes between the following categories of ESSnet projects:
- Top-down projects
This is the new component of the strategy, focused on implementing the ESSnet vision. In 4.1 below, it is described how these projects are selected, monitored and managed. - Bottomup projects
This comprises all ESSnet projects launched so far. This category is further divided into two subcategories of projects:
–Architecture projects(“A” in the Type column of Annex I)
This category is defined to be the set of ESSnet projects which contribute to a great extent to the development of the common reference architecture. In 4.2 below, a reinforced monitoring of these projects is proposed.
–Sectoral projects(“S” in the Type column of Annex I)
Typically, this concerns ESSnet projects related to a particular statistical domain, or to methodological topics without any direct link to the common reference architecture.
4.1.Planning: The definition and piloting of a top down stream
It is proposed to complement the “bottom up” stream with a “top down” stream (called Vision Implementation Stream). These ESSnets should be directed toward the development the agreed common architectures supporting the implementation of the ESS Joint Strategy[4] . These ESSnets will be characterised by a strengthened design phase in view of maximising their impact on the ESS business process. In particular,
(1)The project is implemented by a limited number of MemberStatespecialists having experience in the domain and being ready to invest significant resources in the project.
(2)A significant number of Member States (represented by the DIME and/or ITDG) have formally endorsed the business case and the technical requirements for the project and have signed up for testing and implementing the results.
(3)ESSnet outputs comply with a list of agreed standards ensuring their interoperability and usability (software libraries, standard guidelines etc.).
(4)A mechanism is put in place for accompanying projects, including the involvement as observers of some non-participating Member States, external specialists and non-EU partners.
(5)A formal process is established for review and endorsement of the deliverables by the ESS (DIME and/or ITDG or any ESS architectural standardisation body empowered by the ESSC).
(6)The financial resources are scaled to the project impact and the level of cofinancing is generallylowered and adapted to the type of work.
4.2.Monitoring and evaluation:Closer motoring and impact assessment of architecture ESSnet projects
On top of the scientific evaluation of all finished and running ESSnets commissioned to academic experts, it is proposed to carry out an impact assessment of the ESSnetprojects which contribute the most to the development of the common architecture (i.e. the architecture projects). Their contribution to and impact on ESS business processes, the information architecture, the solution architecture (methodology and IT tools) will be made explicit, and the costs of implementing the project results in the ESS will be assessed. Thereby, the cost/benefit analysis called for in the 2012 evaluation of the ESSnet projects (see Section 3 above) would be achieved.The standardisation aspect of these ESSnet could be reviewed by the Sponsorship on Standardisation (and the dedicated ESSnet on Standardisation). The links and interdependence between these ESSnets and other projects (VIPs, flagship projects, research projects, etc.) will be monitored. A specific set of indicators to track progress in these projects will be devised and maintained.
4.3.Coordination and dissemination: Merge of ESSnet and CROS portal
On top of the annual ESSnet workshop, the ESSnet portal will be merged with the CROS (Collaboration between Research and Official Statistics) portal, thereby improving visibility of ESSnet to both academic and ESS communities. The new portal should become the ESS corporate portal for Vision implementation and Innovation activities. The publication of the results of all the ESSnets on the portal will be strictly monitored.
4.4.Sustainability of ESSnet results and implementation of the joint strategy:Ad hoc actions
The implementation of the Joint Strategy goes beyond the launching of ESSnet projects and calls for other mechanisms to be put in place. For the 34 ESSnet launched so far, the diversity of their aims, the different requirements introduced in their terms of reference, the variety of outputs etc. make it difficult to have a common approach on how to proceed with the work done so far. Specific ad hoc actions will target the Architecture ESSnets. Thematic workshops for clusters of ESSnets, VIPs and Research projects will be organised in 2012: one on data warehousing (DW) and related methodologies (Data integration, etc.) and one on the Common Reference Environment (CORE).
As suggested at the DIME meeting in March 2012, the setting up of centres of excellence for architectural ESSnet projects will also be explored. These centres would have an active and dynamic role in ensuring sustainability of the results of the ESSnet after a project is completed. They would provide adhoc support, consultancy and/or expert reports on the requests of ESS member states.The aspects in need of further study include the modalities for governance and financial support of the centres of excellence.
Specific communities should remain responsible for disseminating and ensuring maximum impact of the sectoral ESSnets (e.g. SILC Network ESSnets). If possible, links between these networks and specific projects should be established. For instance, key members of the ESSnet on Small Area Estimation are part of the steering group of the pilot project on poverty mapping run by DG REGIO. Finally, in 2013, the ESTP training programme will be reinforced to continue the action of successful ESSnets like Data Integration and Common Reference Architecture.
4.5.ESSnet work programme for 2013
An ESSnet project on non-response was put forward by Eurostat. However, while the importance of this subject for addressing future challenges in official statistics were recognised, the project proposal was deemed not to be mature enough to be launched in 2013.
The 2013 ESSnet work programme will thus only contain an ESSnet project on preparation for micro-data exchange on Intra-EU trade in goods (to support the SIMStat flagship initiative[5]), plus the pilot projects for the Vision Implementation stream.The topics of these pilot projects remain to be defined. The selection of those topics for pilot projects would follow the general approach indicated in 4.1 above. Thus, (at the DIME and/or ITDG level), i.e. a significant number of Member States would formally:
- endorsethe business case and the technical requirementsof the project
- commit themselves to testing and implementing the results.
Eurostat B11ESSC 2012/13/2/EN -24/04/2012
Annex I.List of ESSnet projects
Neither the ESSnet project on preparation for micro-data exchange on Intra-EU trade in goods (to support the SIMStat flagship initiative) nor the possible Vision Implementation pilot projects which could be launched in 2013 are included in the below overview.
Number[6] / Project / Type[7] / Status[8] / Start / End / Working Group / Meetingwhere project was launched/discussed / Coordinator (*)
and Co-Partners
E-2008-1-M-08 / Follow-up of SDC / S / / 2008 / 2009 / Committee on Statistical Confidentiality / NL*
IT, UK, DE, SE, SI, AT, PT, NO, LU, HU, BG.
E-2008-2-M-08 / Decentralised Access to Microdata / S / / 2009 / 2010 / Committee on Statistical Confidentiality / DE*
NL, IT, HU, UK, DE (LDS-NRW).
E-2008-5-M-08 / EU-SILC: advanced analysis / S / / 2008 / 2010 / Living Conditions Working Group / LU* (CEPS-INSTEAD)
CZ, FI, AT, NO, UK, IT, EE
+ 8 Research Institutes
E-2008-6-M-09 / SDMX / S / / 2009 / 2011 / Metadata and STNE Working Group, ITDG / PT*
IT, SK, ES, SE
E-2008-7-M-08 / Culture Statistics / S / () / 2009 / 2011 / WG “Cultural Statistics” / LU* (Ministry of culture)
FR, CZ, EE, NL
E-2008-8-M-09 / Common reference architecture (CORA) / S / / 2009 / 2010 / ITDG / IT*
DK, SE, LV, NO, NL,CH
E-2008-9-M-09 / Partnership Health (PH) / S / / 2009 / 2011 / Public Health Working Group / AT*
NL, IT, BE, LT
E-2008-15-M-09 / Lifelong learning accounts / S / / (2011)
E-2008-17-M-09 / Small Area Estimation (SAE) / S / / 2009 / (2012) / DIME / IT*
FR, DE, NL, NO, PL, ES, UK, CH
E-2008-18-M-09 / Data integration (DI) / A / () / 2009 / 2012 / DIME / IT*
ES, NL, PL, CH, NO
E-2009-1-M-09 / GEOSTAT 1A / A / () / 2010 / 2012 / GISCO Working Party / NO*
AT, EE, SI, FI, NL, PL, PT, FR (European Forum for Geostatistics)
E-2009-5-M-10 / Common reference environment (CORE) / A / / 2010 / 2012 / ITDG / IT*
NL, NO, PO, SE, FR
E-2009-6-M-10 / Cooperative Development and Innovation in Data Analysis for production of ESS statistics / S / / (2010)
E-2009-7-M-10 / Decentralised and remote access to confidential data in the ESS / A / / 2011 / (2013) / Statistical Confidentiality WG / DE*
FR, HU, DE, PO
E-2009-9-M-10 / Automated Data Collection and Reporting in Accommodation Statistics (Tourism Stats) / S / / 2010 / (2012) / BSDG-SDG
Tourism Statistics WG / ES*
FI, BG, PL, BE, LT, LV, SK
E-2009-10-F-10 / Preparation Standardisation / A / / 2010 / 2011 / DIME / FR*
HU, IT, PL, DE, NL, UK
E-2009-11-M-10 / Common tools and harmonised methodology for SDC in the ESS / A / / 2010 / (2012) / Statistical Confidentiality WG / NL*
IT, DE, SE
E-2010-1-M-10 / SDMX / A / / 2011 / (2012) / ITDG, DIME, SISAI and Metadata WG / IT*
SE, SK, BG
E-2010-2-M-10 / GEOSTAT 1B / A / / 2012 / (2014) / GISCO Working Party / NO*
FI, PT, CZ, BG, EE,
(European Forum for Geostatistics)
In addition, partial participation outside grant: DK, SE, AT, SI, HR, FR, NL, IE, UK, ES, IT
E-2010-3-F-10 / EU Expertise network on Income and Living Conditions Statistics / S / / 2011 / (2015) / Living Conditions Working Group / LU* (CEPS/INSTEAD)
AT, FI, FR, LU, NO, UK
E-2010-4-M-11 / GEOSTAT II – Completion of the GEOSTAT 2011 grid dataset (full geographical coverage with bottom-up population data from census 2011, population breakdowns) / A / / (2012) / (2014) / GISCO NSI NMA Working Group / To be defined
E-2010-5-M-11 / ESSnet-culture / S /
E-2010-6-M-11 / Automated Data Collection and Reporting in Accommodation Statistics / S /
E-2010-7-M-11 / European Socio-economic Classification (ESEC) / S / / 2011 / Directors of Social Statistics / FR*
CZ, IT, HU
E-2010-8-M-11 / Statistics on Energy Consumption in Households
A statistical vademecum / S / / 2012 / (2014) / Energy Statistics Working Party / ES* (IDEA)
AT, NL, UK, SI
E-2011-1-M-12 / Data collection for social surveys using multiple modes / A / / (2012) / (2014) / DIME, ESSC, LAMAS
E-2011-2-M-12 / Harmonisation of SDC / A / / (2012) / (2016) / Working Group on Statistical Confidentiality
ESSC
E-2011-3-M-12 / Standardisation / A / / (2012) / (2016) / DIME, ESSC
M-2008-4-F-08
M-2008-4-F-08-1
M-2008-4-F-09-2
M-2008-4-F-10-3 / MEETS
EuroGroups registers (EGR) / S / / 2008 / (2012) / EGR Steering Group / IT*
EE, NL, UK.
M-2008-11-M-10 / MEETS
Consistency of concepts and methods of business-related statistics / A / / 2011 / (2013) / BSDG-SDG / 1st MBGA:
IT*
IE, FR, , LV, AT
M-2008-12-F-09
M-2008-12-F-09-1
M-2008-12-F-10-2
M-2008-12-F-11-3 / MEETS
Use of administrative and accounts data for business statistics (AdminData) / A / / 2009 / (2013) / BSDG
SBS Steering Group / UK*
PT, NL, LT, IT, EE, DE, BE
M-2008-13-F-09
M-2008-13-F-10-1
M-2008-13-F-11-2 / MEETS
Micro-data linking and data warehousing in statistical production / A / / 2010 / (2014) / BSDG-SDG / NL*
EE, UK, LT, IT, SE, PT
M-2008-14-F-10
M-2008-14-F-10-1
M-2008-14-F-12-2 / MEETS
Methodology for modern business statistics / S / / 2010 / (2013) / BSDG-SDG
DIME TF, DIME WG, DIME / NL*
SE, PL, IT, EL, NO, HU, CH
M-2008-15-M-11 / MEETS
Consistency of concepts and methods of business-related statistics / A / / 2012 / (2014) / BSDG-SDG / 2nd MBGA:
AT*
DE, IE, IT, LT, LV, SE, UK
M-2009-2-M-10 / MEETS
Linking of micro data on ICT usage / S / / 2010 / (2012) / Information Society Working group / UK*
SE, NL, NO, IT, DE, FR, DK, IE, SI, AT, FI, LU, PL, RO
M-2009-3-F-09
M-2009-3-F-09-1
M-2009-3-F-10-2
M-2009-3-F-11-3 / MEETS
Profiling large and complex Multinational Enterprise groups / S / / 2009 / (2013) / BSDG-SDG
WG on Business registers and Statistical Units
Steering group on EuroGroups Register / FR*
NL, DE, IT, UK, FI, CH
M-2010-1-F-11 / MEETS
Measuring Global Value Chains / S / / 2011 / (2013) / BSDG
SBS Steering group / DK*
FI, FR, NL, NO, PT RO,
M-2012-1-M-12 / MEETS
Consistency of concepts and methods of business-related statistics / A / / (2012) / (2013) / BSDG-SDG / MSsinterested in participation are:
SE*
DE, EE, IE, SI, CH
Eurostat B11ESSC 2012/13/2/EN -24/04/2012