Statistical Evaluation and Progress (STEP)
In its effort to improve the creation and better use of official statistics in its target countries, PARIS21 reviewed and mapped existing efforts to measure statistical capacity. Based on that review, it developed an instrument that extends these efforts to capture the full complexity of statistical capacity. The core of the resulting Statistical Evaluation and Progress (STEP) is a questionnaire for the National Statistical Office (NSO) to fill in and co-ordinate the responses of the various public producers of statistics at the country level. Measuring statistical capacity on self-assessment serves to engage NSSs themselves, and particularly the National Statistical Office (NSO) as the national co-ordinator, in identifying priority capacity gaps. Self-assessments, however, may not provide the most accurate reference. Hence, STEP is complemented with external analysis on 1) the various communication and dissemination channels used by the NSS (e.g. websites, data platforms and social media) and 2) the production of statistics in accordance with international data requirements.
This exercise led to the development of a draft questionnaire that covers the following dimensions of statistical capacity:
- Legal and Institutional Environment
- Resources (Human, Financial and Equipment)
- Commitment to Quality
- Methodological Soundness and International Standards
- Accessibility, Confidentiality and Transparency
- Engaging with Stakeholders and Users
- Output indicators
All of these dimensions were structured to align with the Generic Activity Model for Statistical Organizations (GAMSO) Version 1.0, which describes and defines the activities that take place within a typical statistical organisation.