On methodology, the logic behind the hierarchy is that the NSDS Essentials summarise the more detailed materials, drawing out the main messages to inform the NSDS design process and serve as an agreed set of criteria against which the quality of NSDSs and their processes can be judged. The Guide on designing an NSDS covers a broad range of issues to explain the rationale and what an NSDS is; and set out the principles of strategic planning, assessment, consultation, costing, funding, and implementation. The guidelines are necessarily broad yet sufficiently detailed to satisfy the needs of an NSDS design team dealing with some of these concepts for the first time. The guidelines are therefore be under-pinned by a more detailed NSDS Knowledge Base, key documents on carrying out the processes (e.g., how to carry out a SWOT analysis, a stakeholder analysis, a user needs assessment, Human Resource strategy, assess data quality). Most of this material exists already but where there are gaps new guidelines will be commissioned.

The advocacy paper ("Making the Case") is short, focused, and convincing to encourage broader recognition by national and international policy makers and financers of the role of statistics in development and poverty reduction and of the necessity of strategic planning. National governments and donors will provide more funding for statistics only if they are convinced that poverty reduction and development generally (and/or aid effectiveness) is constrained by inadequate statistics.