DMAG

A summary of:

DMAG

Contributors:

DMAG

Overview:

• Highlights: What went well?

• Lowlights: What went less well?

• Lessons from 2001

• Pleas for 2011

DMAG

…and some commentary from:

DMAG

Highlights: What went well?• Free data for users at the point of use (CAP) & Click-Use licence

• Lots of data

• Free OA boundaries to users*

• Customer Services*

• OAs link to postal geography

*see what went less well too

DMAG

Highlights: What went well?• One Number Census*

• Consultation process - excellent (generally)

• Bulk delivery of data* (NeSS/CDs/DVDs/NOMIS)

• 100% coding

• Social Grade as output

• Pop-weighted centroids*see what went less well too

DMAG

Lowlights: What went less well?

• Timescales – delays (OA data, OD, SCT)

• Quality control (data releases, error management)

• Formats of bulk delivery (particularly GROS & NISRA)

• Consistency of tables across UK

• OA royalties demanded from resellers

• Customer Services (ONS) became submerged!

DMAG

Lowlights: What went less well?

• OAs did not relate to real communities

• Lack of income data – problem for some

• One Number Census – not really One Number though!

• Last minute changes to SDC

• Last minute table changes

• SuperTable!

DMAG

Lessons: Consultation• Allow users to comment on OA boundaries before they are finalised

• Resolve royalty issues with OS/Royal Mail well before 2011

• Finalise distributors arrangements/licence prior to Census day

• Keep talking to us!

- “badly performing” OAs , may be realigned in exceptional instances

- discussions ongoing with OS/RM: to be agreed by Autumn 2010

- to be agreed by Autumn 2010

- Yes, 2011 Census Outputs Consultation Strategy

Comments from the draft 2011 Census Outputs Consultation Strategy – Version 1.0

DMAG

Lessons: Processing• Improved data QA procedures – provide checking stats

• Appropriate SDC and test it on real data

• Agree table specifications with users and stick to them

• Cut OA boundaries consistently across UK (i.e. high mean watermark)

• More test data – especially GROS/NISRA

- RG aim: “Corrections policy in place in advance”

- we’ll see!

- tabular outputs agreed Spring 2010

- not sure?

- RG aim: “QA policy involving external experts/bodies”

Comments for the draft 2011 Census Outputs Consultation Strategy – Version 1.0

DMAG

Lessons: Delivery

• Don’t use SuperTable

• Meet published timetables for data release

• Improved management of helpdesk messages, responses, data - power user hotline!

• Ensure you can satisfy the resellers/end users that require bulk delivery of datasets (the spike of supply)

- Agreed (informally)

- RG aim: “Pre-release output prospectus & timetable adhered to”

- RG aim: “Corrections policy in place in advance”

- Web Services (API) & hard electronic media

Comments for the draft 2011 Census Outputs Consultation Strategy – Version 1.0

DMAG

Lessons: Outputs

• Table design – 2001 tables are a good starting point

• Lack of query tracking – helpdesk overloaded

• Let users beta test/QA outputs

• Accurate, correct and consistent metadata

- 2011 specs. based on 2001 for consultation in late 2009

- QA procedures to be agreed with users but no early access

- RG aim: “Appropriate associated metadata published concurrent with output”. Included in table consultation in late 2009

- RG aim: “No revisions” but a programme established

Comments from the draft 2011 Census Outputs Consultation Strategy – Version 1.0

DMAG

Pleas:• Accurate and timely data for admin areas and parishes

• UK-wide SDC

• Consistent Database – same value for variables across tables

• Workplace zones

• Improved liaison on address lists

- Don’t know yet?

- RGs aim: “Common UK SDC”

- RGs aim: “Fully adjusted database”…?

- DfT request: funding being considered: Autumn09 consult.

- Not sure but improved LA liaisonComments from the draft 2011 Census Outputs Consultation Strategy – Version 1.0

DMAG

More pleas:

• Consistent UK-wide tables

• Coordinate output timetable across Census Offices

• Online table commissioning service

• No late surprises for us please!

- RG aim: “Joined-up and comparable UK outputs”…so maybe?

- RG aim: “On-line flexible table generation”

- Hopefully not?

- RG aim: “Concurrent 1st release of stats across UK”…so maybe?

Comments from the draft 2011 Census Outputs Consultation Strategy – Version 1.0