Modernisation of the Barbados Statistical System

Client Reference number: Loan 2003/OC-BA

Funding: Government of Barbados (GOB)

Detailed project description:

 The aim of the project is to provide help with and advise on the modernisation of the statistical system of Barbados. The modernisation is intended to enhance the ability of the Barbados Statistical Service (BSS) and other producers of official statistics to be more relevant to the needs of users and to respond in a more timely manner.

The objectives in order to attain the aim of the project fall into seven major categories:

- A Diagnostic Survey to determine the capability and capacity of the current statistical system and what needs to change to meet current and future user requirements. The results of this survey will be discussed at a workshop with the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and concerned stakeholders.
- An evaluation of the current statistical legislation and recommendations for a legal framework that will best meet the needs of Barbados. This will include harmonisation with other laws and the establishment of rules for data collection, data sharing and data confidentiality.
- An evaluation of the existing coordination mechanisms of the Barbados statistical system and suggestions for improvement. This activity will require members of the statistics network to participate in a series of workshops.
- An evaluation to understand if the shape, structure and capabilities of the statistical organisation are the right fit for its mandate and objectives. This will entail a detailed capacity audit of the BSS and the broader system network. Indicators of a changed capability will include increased user satisfaction, increased quality and speed of service delivery, streamlined workflow, reduced work chains and elimination of work duplication.
- A set of recommendations for six key statistical series to be selected as a result of the Diagnostic Survey activity, which will include detailed plans designed to improve the quality and range of outputs in the chosen topic area. The recommendations and plans may include new methodologies, data-collection questionnaires, and processes. Also included may be institutional arrangements, staff and training needs, and process and information technology systems to support institutional strengthening.
- A review of the effectiveness and efficiency of current human resources management (HRM) of statistical and statistical support staff. A substantial part of HRM entails academic and professional training and a range of training modalities. In addition to an early recommendation on the most suitable Master’s programmes for statisticians in overseas universities, activities will include recommendation on statistical training, management training, and a change management programme to communicate the changes effectively and monitor acceptance of the new work methods.
- A proposal for a recommended ICT infrastructure with a complete set of technical specifications, as well as a complete set of technical specifications for upgrading and maintaining a website and existing software and tools, and for training ICT and statistical staff.

To this end, Agilis SA undertook the implementation of the “Technical and ICT Infrastructure” component of the project :

- Participated in the inception and diagnostic (on-site) missions to Barbados along with the OPM Project Team and world class experts
- Designed the ICT part of the diagnostic questionnaire in order to gather sufficient information regarding the ICT infrastructure of these organisations in terms of hardware, software for systems and applications, information systems architecture, communications and networking and security.
- Conducted face to face interviews in order to fill completele the questionnaire in collaboration with ICT division heads in the BSS and MDAs. The information collected will assist in the compilation of recommendations and technical specifications for the new ICT infrastructure, the intranet with partner agencies and the new BSS website.
- Performed a diagnostic review of the IT needs for sharing the data needed for official statistics between government agencies and Barbados
- Performed a diagnostic review of the improvement in ICT required in the statistics office (BSS) including a website, intranet, data archiving, imrpoved equipment and software for the office.
- Drafted recommendations on the process for deriving specifications for the purschase of equipment for the statistics office and for data sharing with other producers
- Drafted recommendations on the need for training in the use of the new hardware and software in the remainder of the project