Business Case. Digital communication, User analytics and Innovative products (ESS.VIP DIGICOM)

Transcription

1 EUROSTAT Business Case Digital communication, User analytics and Innovative products (ESS.VIP DIGICOM) Date: 22 October 2015 Version: Status Approved PM² Simplified Version Template V.0.5 (May 2015)

2 Document Control Information Settings Value Document Title: Business Case Project Title: Digital communication, User analytics and Innovative products (ESS.VIP DIGICOM) Document Author: Martin Karlberg and Britta Gauckler Project ID (from PMR-site): 746 Project Owner: Emanuele Baldacci Project Manager: Martin Karlberg Doc. Version: Sensitivity: Limited Project Type: Critical With IT relevance Approval Date: Document ESSC 2015/27/2/EN of 19 November 2015 Document Approver(s) and Reviewer(s): Name Role Action Date TF DIGICOM Review of version July 2015 Crista Filip Eurostat s Project Management Office Review of version August 2015 TF DIGICOM Review of version August 2015 TF DIGICOM Review of version August 2015 VIG Review of version September 2015 TF DIGICOM Review of version September 2015 DM Eurostat s Directors Meeting Review of version September 2015 DWG Review of version September 2015 VIN Review of version October 2015 ESAC Review of version October 2015 CG1 Eurostat s Coordination Group for Vision Implementation Review of version October 2015 VIG Review of version October 2015 ESSC Approval of version November 2015 ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

3 1. PURPOSE ACTION REQUIRED CURRENT SITUATION AND MANDATE FOR CHANGE Problem statement Mandate (legal base) OBJECTIVES AND DELIVERABLES Scope User Analysis Innovative and shareable products and tools Open Data Dissemination Communication and promotion Objectives User Analysis Innovative and shareable products and tools Open Data Dissemination Communication and promotion Deliverables and Key Milestones Indicators What the project does not include ESS data warehouse Certain outreach and statistical literacy activities Estimates based on models ESS coordination activities ESS-wide roll-out Turning user needs into new data collection IMPACT ASSESSMENT Stakeholder Analysis Project Environment Related conferences The Dissemination Working Group The ESS Vision portfolio Eurostat project on renovation of the dissemination chain Open Data Microdata access Research projects High-level ESS stakeholders International organisations Cost-Benefit Analysis Alternative A do nothing Alternative B multiple projects Alternative C integrated DIGICOM project Risk Analysis Suboptimal development ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

4 Standardisation Implementation and maintenance APPROACH Methodology General Description Resources and Lead Times Resources Roadmap Project Funding Member State input External expertise PROJECT ORGANISATION Project Manager Reporting Structure Project Team Project Documentation ANNEX 1. STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS A possible user taxonomy ANNEX 2. RISK ANALYSIS ANNEX 3. ESS.VIP DIGICOM ROADMAP AND DELIVERABLES WP1. User Analysis WP1.1. User profiling exercise WP1.2. Set-up of a social network platform for users of statistics WP1.3. User surveys WP2. Innovative and shareable products and tools WP2.1. Development of a new innovative biennial ESS flagship product WP2.2. Development of tools to support ESS flagship product WP2.3. Improving the visual dissemination of European statistics WP3. Open Data Dissemination WP3.1. Linked open data WP3.2. Facilitation and harmonisation of APIs to European data WP3.3. Development of a European re-use policy WP3.4. Improved access to microdata WP3.5. Search and extraction tools WP4. Communication and promotion WP4.1. Communication and marketing strategy WP4.2. Outreach activities WP4.3. Statistical literacy WP4.4. Communicating the value of European statistics ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

5 1. PURPOSE The purpose of this document is to outline the scope, approach, objectives, resources implications and impact on stakeholders of this project for agreement by the ESSC. The proposals are based on an ESS stakeholder consultation (mainly conducted via the Task Force Digital communication, User analytics and Innovative products (TF DIGICOM; see 3.2); the Vision Implementation Group, the Vision Implementation Network and the Dissemination Working Group (see 5.2.2) have also been involved in the inception of the project and have also been duly consulted during the elaboration of the present Business Case). The aim of the DIGICOM project is to enhance the capacity of the ESS to be agile and responsive to our users needs. By necessity, the project will have a twopronged approach; on one hand it will improve our methods for gaining insight into unmet needs of current and future users, and on the other hand actually developing the innovative solutions meeting those needs. Moreover, user needs are not only about expressed needs, but also concerns actual necessities such as policymakers need for reliable evidence and citizens need for information to support life decisions. For this reason, the DIGICOM project includes the promotion of, and the communication of the value of, European Statistics as a reliable basis for evidence-based decision-making and an unbiased picture of society. Throughout the DIGICOM project, there will be several reflection points. These reflections should not only take stock of project results so far, but also include an element of business intelligence, i.e. monitoring of results (including technical advancements) achieved elsewhere, as well as direct communication with reference groups of users. By subsequently updating and re-prioritising among the actions, aligning deliverables with outside activities, revising project objectives and updating the roadmap, the DIGICOM project will stay agile. 2. ACTION REQUIRED The ESSC is asked to provide feedback and approve the approach outlined so that the project may proceed to the detailed planning phase and implementation. 3. CURRENT SITUATION AND MANDATE FOR CHANGE 3.1. Problem statement As described in the ESS Vision , decision making in Europe continues to be built entirely on the assumption of a sound evidence base, although the resources to support the production high-quality official statistics are diminishing. Moreover, there is an increasing demand among users for 1 The ESS Vision 2020; document presented at the 21st meeting of the European Statistical System Committee; for readability it is generally referred to as the Vision throughout this document. ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

6 official statistics to incorporate new metrics to capture the new and complex reality that has emerged. In addition, the data revolution leads to more competitive pressure from new data producers which can eventually change the role of official statistics. The Vision requires that the ESS should respond to these challenges by, inter alia, engaging with users proactively and meet their demands in a costefficient and responsive manner; improving the responsiveness to new user needs; delivering information in an interactive and easily comprehensible way; improving the statistical literacy of European citizens and institutions by guiding them through the deluge of data and information from various origins; making improvements in key aspects such as agility and flexibility in general; being agile and looking for innovative solutions; working together, in sharing methods and tools; increasing its value by communicating products and services in an active and coordinated way. The DIGICOM project, which is part of the ESS Vision 2020 portfolio, is taking on several of these tasks, by identifying solutions in user analytics, innovative and shareable products and tools, promoting the value of European statistics and improving information delivery by means of engaging users and enhancing digital communication Mandate (legal base) The Digital communication, User analytics and Innovative products (ESS.VIP DIGICOM) project is part of the ESS Vision 2020 portfolio of 8 projects adopted by the ESSC in February A Task Force (TF DIGICOM) with 11 member states (BE, AT, DE, ES, FR, GR, IT, LT, SE, UK and CH) was established to develop this business case. 4. OBJECTIVES AND DELIVERABLES 4.1. Scope One priority area of the Vision is Identifying user needs and cooperation with stakeholders: ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

7 We will engage proactively in a regular dialogue with users to understand deeper their needs. Our strategic alliances with both public and private partners will help to respond flexibly to users needs. We recognize that different user groups have different needs and we will address this diversity by offering the right information in the right way. We will respond to the need to provide policy-makers with reliable, comparable and timely statistics to execute economic and financial policy. We will strive to be a respected partner and a leader for driving innovations and progress in the global statistical community. while Dissemination and communication on European statistics constitutes another priority area: We aim for a future-proof dissemination and communication strategy that satisfies divergent and ever-changing user needs at both national and European level, is flexible enough to adapt to emerging technologies, gives guidance in a world of data revolution and serves as a reliable pillar of democracy. We recognise that different user groups have different needs and capabilities, both in terms of products and dissemination channels and we will address this diversity by offering a variety of output channels and services. We will explicitly introduce the brand of European Statistics that guarantees a reliable basis for evidencebased decision-making and an unbiased picture of society. The DIGICOM project has been set up to deliver within these two interrelated priority areas. According to a linear approach, (see Figure 1) we would first of all need to understand who our current (and potential) users are, i.e. conduct a user profiling exercise. With this information, we would then proceed to elicit user needs for the various user categories. This would, in turn, be used as a basis for solutions, in the form of innovative products and tools to address unmet needs of various categories of users (see 5.1). Moreover, proactive user engagement, aiming to facilitate users understanding of the value of good official statistics would take place. The DIGICOM project focusses on users of European statistics; this means that national as well as European users are considered. As illustrated in Figure 1, user engagement (influencing users) and user analysis (learning about users) are separated into two different work packages. WP 1 - User analysis WP2 - Innovative and sharable products and tools User profiling Tools to profile Actual profiles User needs (By profile) Tools to elicit needs Actual needs End users Solutions To meet needs Tools Products User engagement Linked to unstated ( actual ) needs Statistical literacy/outreach Branding Open data dissemination APIs Open data Portal Public use files WP4 - Communication and promotion WP 3 - Open data dissemination Figure 1. Work packages of the DIGICOM project ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

8 Figure 1 is a simplification of a complex reality. Most importantly, it should be noted that the ESS does not depart from a tabula rasa. The DIGICOM project would thus not be sequential (user analytics first; solutions later), since there are instances where needs are already known, and work on solutions (tools and products) could start early on. Moreover, the process is iterative rather than linear, with user needs driving solutions which then are subject to user feedback, which is used to update the solution and so on. 2 Notwithstanding the interrelatedness between the various aspects of the DIGICOM project, it has been subdivided into work packages to be rendered manageable (see the boxes of Figure 1). The work packages are outlined in Sections Due to the interrelatedness and the fast changing nature of the products, techniques and tools it is essential to be flexible, adapt necessary actions and maybe change actions accordingly during the DIGICOM project. The actions shall therefore be considered in this view as it is an important fact of the DIGICOM project to be agile and responsive. Furthermore the project deliverables ought to be released on basis of precedent beta versions of the process cycle to ensure agile as well as prompt adjustments to technological developments, changing needs, competition, etc. Where feasible the dissemination could be as early as possible, e.g. on basis of a later beta version if beneficial. This will be important to take into account when the working groups will uptake their processes. A key feature of the DIGICOM project is that it will contribute to building capacities and skills in the ESS in concerned areas. It is indispensable to create networks inside and also incorporate external knowledge from outside to reach the envisioned targets User Analysis The User Analysis work package will address the stated Vision priority to obtain a better insight into our users: their needs for statistical services as well as their professional knowledge. It will involve various activities to identify the requirements of current users as well as the needs of potential future users, possibly also the consultation of enterprises to identify their data needs as well as the assessment of the relative weight of quality dimensions like timeliness and accuracy from a users perspective called for by the Vision. In doing so, it will contribute to the Vision objective to improve the ESS agility in dealing with core users, increase responsiveness to emerging questions in society and reduce time-to-market of new statistics. 2 In order to practice this iterative process the timetable shows the main user consultations whereas in some cases the users need to be consulted in the work package itself as it follows after the action, e.g. in the case of the communications actions. Here the users can be consulted on basis of the platform developed in work package 1 for example, but the user consultation action itself takes place in work package 4. This is why not every iterative process is displayed in the timetable. ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

9 Innovative and shareable products and tools In the Innovative and shareable products and tools work package, the Vision principle to use common methods and tools will be applied to the tailored products and services (including interactive tools and apps called for by the Vision). 3 The work package will thus focus to a large extent on customisability, be it the Vision requirement for customised supplies (indicators for special purposes) to as many users as possible, services facilitating benchmarking (e.g. of enterprises with competitors in the same line of industry). It will also cover new tailored products and services, including a novel ESS statistical portrait report with an associated biannual conference, visualisations, animations, interactive tools and apps. This work package will also address visualisation principles (in close coordination with the Innovative and shareable products and tools work package, which would address the tools aspects of visualisation) Open Data Dissemination Open Data is an emerging discipline with a huge potential for the (re-) dissemination official statistics. 4 There are numerous questions to address for the statistical domain. This work package will answer to the Open Data aspect of the Vision s objective of development of products giving as much freedom as possible to active users to create their own products based on official statistics data and statistics. This would concern application program interfaces (APIs) for enhanced access to the statistical databases of ESS members. Another strand will explore the possibility of capitalising on other initiatives in the area of open data, in particular linked open data, (such as current activities in the area of open data, i.e. the OpenCube project and other European projects). 5 Moreover, the particular aspect of micro-data dissemination will be covered by this work package, thereby addressing the Vision objective of customised supplies (micro-data access) to as many users as possible. The openly available public use files will be in the centre of interest of this work package. Public use files are micro-data files which are anonymised in such a way that they are no longer confidential When designing products the difference between "need to know" and "nice to know" statistics should be taken into consideration. Open data can be defined as Open data and content can be freely used, modified, and shared by anyone for any purpose. See also: (Open Data) and (Research projects). ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

10 Communication and promotion The Communication and promotion work package will satisfy the Vision objective of adoption of a new dissemination and communication strategy. This strategy might include the development of ways to disseminate nice to know statistical facts to increase the public profile of official statistics, requested in the Vision. The Vision priority of ensuring public trust in official statistics which is the cornerstone of any statistical system by promoting the value of European statistics would be at the core of the Communication and promotion work package. This would partly be achieved (as prescribed by the Vision) by increasing the emphasis on publicising quality as a driving force for all our activities (and develop new meaningful and transparent ways of communicating the user-oriented quality assurance mechanisms applied to our statistics). Moreover, this work package would deal with statistical literacy, addressing the Vision objective of activities targeting the public at large to guide them through the pitfalls of statistics and enhance statistical literacy. This would be part of the investment (as foreseen in the Vision) in educating users to increase their statistical literacy in particular to mitigate the risk of improper and unjustified use of ESS statistical products and services. This work package would also comprise general outreach, such as the constant contact with potential user groups to meet their expectations as set out in the Vision, and the Vision objective of activities targeting special interest groups Objectives The various objectives of the work packages are outlined in Sections User Analysis The aim of this work package is to actively engage with ESS users in order to: Conduct a user profiling exercise (in close collaboration with ESAC) in which ESS users (and to some degree also the not-yet or the non-users) are categorised according to their needs and requirements (complemented with an in-depth analysis on actual user behaviour), followed up by a user survey and other user analysis activities based on those profiles. Several dimensions regarding the user groups and needs shall be considered: the need to know and the nice to know as well as the EU use and the national use. Users of national as well as European statistics should be considered. 6 As a 6 In practice national users and users of European statistics are not disjoint groups. While some users almost exclusively use national statistics, some almost exclusively use European statistics, and others may use both sources in the same domain. Whereas the centre of gravity of the DIGICOM project is ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

11 starting point data from the user support as well as web analytics data (for instance) can be used and shall be enriched with innovate data analytics tools. In order to target not-yet users or non-users as well as help shaping the profiles a user survey is part of the exercise. ESS experiences will be used in involving experts in the evaluation of user needs and channels will have to be established how these inputs can help shaping the planned initiatives. Set up a social network platform for users of European statistics 7 with the specific aim of identifying efficiently the ever changing needs of users. The information harvested in the user profiling exercise will serve to establish ex ante maps of users which could be used as the point of departure for deciding which information to collect via the platform. This platform would also help design appropriate social media policy guidelines at the ESS level and governance templates. The platform will allow ESS members to have a direct dialogue with the participating user groups, to elicit their needs and will enable the testing of innovative dissemination tools. Moreover the platform will enable profiles to be extracted which can be used to request user inputs on statistical issues to get responses using post-stratifying methods to incorporate population distributions of variables into survey estimates. 8 The social network can also lead to the creation of expert user communities that could interact with statistical producers. A customer relationship management system may, if feasible, be integrated into this social network. The platform may also be used for targeted communication to users, to implement part of the communication strategy foreseen in the Communication and promotion work package. A precondition for the success of this platform will be that sufficient resources are allocated to animate, curate and host it. on European statistics, it is expected that there will be considerable overlaps and considerable synergies. Whether the European/national dimension is central to the user categorisation will be considered during the user profiling exercise (WP1.1). 7 8 See The Users of Statistics and their role in the European Society, paper by Maurizio Vichi, Maria João Valente Rosa and Frances Ruane. ESAC document 2015/1175; This categorisation (used in the stakeholder analysis of the present business case) is tentative and an example of what could be achieved. The definition of user categories that will actually be applied in the DIGICOM project will be developed during the user profiling exercise (WP1.1). Appropriate analysis methodology will be applied to duly manage e.g. the bias resulting from surveying only voluntary, registered users. ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

12 Under this work package the following low-hanging fruit 9 will eventuate from the establishment of inventories for sharable practices: current CRM practices, practices in user satisfaction/ user need assessment, practices in user profiling, practices in user interaction via social media. Another low hanging fruit, which strengthens the direct dialogue between users and statisticians, will be the support to the organisation of national conferences. As has been done in 2015 in Latvia and Luxembourg, these conferences will give the opportunity for users of European statistics in a Member State to exchange views with representatives of the NSI and Eurostat Innovative and shareable products and tools The first aim of this work package is: To develop a new innovative biennial 10 ESS flagship product based on the EU data pool complemented by tools to facilitate the consumption of the relevant statistical data. 11 The product, which is envisaged to have a modern, non-traditional, dynamic/interactive format is aimed at strengthening the dialogue between users and producers. It would contain a statistical portrait of Europe (edited by a team of ESS experts) to be presented at a high-level and highly visible conference with the participation of senior representatives of the ESS as well as high-level stakeholders, organised in a format inspired by the Davos example, containing a series of panels, workshops, etc. This product will fill a gap by providing policy makers with a statistical portrait of Europe that is well-rounded, indepth and suitable for discussion in high-level fora. The product will be complemented by a multi-channel ESS promotion campaign 12 and innovative tools for the support. Further dissemination would take place by means of the innovative tools developed in the work package. A particular attention will be given to the reusability of the tools developed to support the product. The second aim is to further improve the visual dissemination of European statistics by promoting the exchange of best practices, supporting regular training of ESS experts, developing common Low-hanging fruits are considered as being quick gains under the action as they are based on sharable, good practices (as well as failures) that will be shared among the ESS. It might be useful to change the recurrence from biannual to annual, but this shall be decided after the first event. Other than the Eurostat flagship products, the ESS product will heavily rely on a joint editorial work from Eurostat and the NSIs. As a complement to the European dimension provided by Eurostat, the NSIs will better illustrate the national dimension of the chosen statistical topics conveying a message that the ESS is capable of providing interesting and timely statistics of interest to a broader audience. There are possibilities in the promotion, for instance it could be promoted with an ESS logo, an ESS promotion campaign like a press conference on the same day by all heads of NSIs in their countries. The conference would be a related event to discuss issues raised in the statistical portrait of Europe and raise the visibility of statistics with high-level users and stakeholders. ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

13 guidelines and sharing of visualisation tools. The outcome of the Task Force Visualisation (see section 5.2) can provide input for a pilot in this work package. For this work package an inventory of shareable tools in general and in the visualisation area will eventuate as low-hanging fruits Open Data Dissemination The aim of this work package is to: Further facilitate the automated access to European aggregate data for heavy data users or re-disseminators. Re-disseminators of European data may serve as quality enhancers by adding value to the statistical information supplied. Their users/clients can find relevant statistical information presented in a way which is tailored to their specific needs or context. The strengthening of this service towards the re-disseminators will enable the ESS to reach more audiences than it would achieve solely through its own dissemination products. This work package will be accomplished by the following actions: Linked open data (LOD): establishment of an ESS open data strategy, and actions to implement this strategy, including publication of ESS aggregate data to the Pan-European Open Data Portal 13 and also an ESS Open Data Gateway with metadata services as a key gateway component, and links with corresponding national open data portals. Linked open data means (in comparison to open data) that data can be linked to Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs) 14 from other data sources, using open standards for data exchange on the Web such as RDF. 15 Facilitation and harmonisation of APIs to European data to improve access to aggregate data. Actively promote re-dissemination by third parties (i.e. data journalists) via a European re-use policy; channels could be twitter, Facebook, workshop with data journalists, etc. Improved access to micro data, e.g. through the development of new methodologies for the production of Public Use Files (PUFs) to enhance access to these data for heavy users (e.g. researchers) See The portal is expected to go live in late A uniform resource identifier (URI) is a string of characters used to identify the name of a resource. For a definition please see ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

14 Under this work package the stocktaking in the open data field as well as the inventory of existing ESS APIs as well as search and extraction tools are considered low-hanging fruits Communication and promotion The first aim of this work package is to elaborate and implement a communication and marketing strategy which underlines the value of official European statistics 16 in combination with outreach activities to raise the visibility of the ESS including a strategy towards statistical literacy. This line of activity would include the preparation of guidelines for a visual identity. This would also be build on concepts developed by the QUAL@ESS Vision 2020 framework (see 5.2.3), and would concern communicating the value of European statistical products and services through modern communication systems and professional communication campaigns. The second aim of the work package is to set up a policy and framework for the dissemination of experimental statistics (meaning non-standard statistics) rarely produced by the ESS but highly requested by users. These data and statistics include experimental statistics based on new data sources, model-based statistical analyses, assumptions and innovative supplements to more traditional statistics of sufficient quality to be used for analytical purposes. 17 The definition of experimental statistics (mainly based on all relevant conceptual output from QUAL@ESS Vision 2020) will be further elaborated during the operational phase of this work package. For this work package the low-hanging fruits will be the hackathon 18 and the inventory of existing statistical literacy practices Regarding the concept European Statistics, Article 1 of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2009 on European statistics states that European statistics are relevant statistics necessary for the performance of the activities of the Community. European statistics are determined in the European statistical programme. For further clarification on experimental statistics see the Towards a Eurostat framework for disseminating innovative/experimental statistics paper: by Marie Bohata, Martina Hahn, Antonio Baigorri and Gian Luigi Mazzi presented at Session 26 (on Experimental statistics ) at the 2012 European Conference on Quality in Official Statistics). A hackathon is an event where computer programmers and others involved in software development and hardware development, including graphical designers, interface designers and project managers, collaborate intensively on software projects. ( The hackathon is considered to fall under outreach activities (see Annex 3.WP4.2) which belongs to the work package 4 Communication and branding. Outreach activities are intended to impact on the general public and to increase the public profile of official statistics. ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

15 At this stage, it is not always possible to provide details of all actions and deliverables foreseen in the DIGICOM project. During the first half of 2016, most of the activities will focus on a stocktaking exercise and on an inventory of best practices for each of the work packages. Based on this information, further actions and final deliverables will be defined more precisely Deliverables and Key Milestones The key deliverables of the DIGICOM project are outlined in Table 1. The start date of the DIGICOM project is the beginning of 2016 and the end date is 31 December In 2016, nearly all the work packages will start, often with stocktaking and inventory activities frontloaded. This exercise should also include inventories of non-eu countries as well as work done by UNECE, CES which are more advanced in some respective domains. Multiple intermediate deliverables are expected already in The intensive development phase of the different project streams will peak in 2017 and The work packages will end in 2019 (for overviews see Annex 3 ESS.VIP DIGICOM roadmap and deliverables). Further details on intermediate deliverables, as well as specifics of the actions envisaged to achieve these deliverables, are provided in Annex 3. ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

16 Table 1. Key deliverables of the DIGICOM project Work Package Deliverable no. Instrument for Delivery Deliverable implementation date WP1 User Analysis WP1.1 User profiling exercise DIGICOM.D1.01 Own resources 2016/03 Online inventory of shareable practices DIGICOM.D1.03 Contract 2017/06 User profiling report, including profiling criteria and piloting WP1.2 Set-up of a social network platform for users of statistics DIGICOM.D1.08 Contract 2017/06 ESS social network platform for users of statistics WP1.3 User surveys DIGICOM.D1.09 ESSnet 2018/03 ESS user survey based on user profiling exercise WP2 Innovative and shareable products and tools WP2.1- Development of a new innovative biennial ESS flagship product DIGICOM.D2.01 Contract 2017/06 Statistical portrait of Europe DIGICOM.D2.04 Contract 2017/12 ESS conference on the statistical portrait of Europe WP2.2 Development of tools to support ESS flagship product DIGICOM.D2.05 Own resources 2017/06 Repository of shareable tools DIGICOM.D2.10 Contract 2018/06 Innovative tools rolled out WP2.3 Improving the visual dissemination of European statistics DIGICOM.D2.14 Own resources 2017/06 ESS visualisation guidelines DIGICOM.D2.15 Contract 2018/06 Visualisation tools rolled out WP3 Open Data Dissemination WP3.1 Linked open data DIGICOM.D3.03 Contract 2018/06 Eurostat data published to Pan-European Open Data Portal DIGICOM.D3.04 ESSnet 2019/06 National LOD portals developed DIGICOM.D3.06 Contract 2019/12 European Open Data Gateway rolled out WP3.2 Facilitation and harmonisation of APIs to European data DIGICOM.D3.07 Own resources 2017/06 Inventory of existing (shareable) APIs across the ESS DIGICOM.D3.08 Own resources 2018/03 ESS standard for APIs WP3.3 Development of a European re-use policy DIGICOM.D3.09 Own resources 2017/06 ESS re-use policy WP3.4 Improved access to microdata DIGICOM.D3.12 Contract 2018/12 Microdata access solutions for the ESS WP3.5 Search and extraction tools DIGICOM.D3.15 Contract 2018/12 Search and extraction tools rolled out WP4 Communication and promotion WP4.1 Communication and marketing strategy DIGICOM.D4.02 Contract 2017/12 ESS communication and marketing strategy DIGICOM.D4.03 Own resources 2018/06 Communication kit WP4.2 Outreach activities DIGICOM.D4.06 Own resources 2018/03 Hackathon carried out DIGICOM.D4.07 Own resources 2018/12 Gamification product rolled out WP4.3 Statistical literacy DIGICOM.D4.11 ESSnet 2017/06 Statistical literacy products WP4.4 Communicating the value of European statistics DIGICOM.D4.12 Contract 2018/06 Study/survey on the value of European Statistics DIGICOM.D4.15 Contract 2019/12 Platform for experimental data and statistics rolled out Note: For WP4.4, it will be investigated during the detailed planning phase whether an early piloting, based on existing solutions, could be performed already during Indicators Short-term output indicators of the success of the DIGICOM project will be the provision of the various deliverables according to specification. There will also be medium-term outcome indicators, focused on the uptake of the various products (e.g. use of literacy products in schools), the participation rates in the various activities (e.g. the number of hackathon participants, the number of users of the ESS social network platform), the feedback of users by monitoring the new products and tools and the compliance with the normative documents produced by the DIGICOM project (e.g. the visualisation guidelines) What the project does not include There are numerous potential strands of the scope of the DIGICOM project, but in view of the need to focus the project to render it manageable and possible to resource the activities below are not foreseen to be part of the DIGICOM project ESS data warehouse For the purpose focusing the overall scope of the project and increasing the emphasis responding to user needs with concrete products, the statistical ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

17 infrastructure aspect of the DIGICOM project is reduced, and will therefore not include an ESS data warehouse IT project (whereas an EU data pool is in scope) Certain outreach and statistical literacy activities While numerous potential outreach and statistical literacy activities exist, the outreach and literacy dimension of the Communication and promotion work package of DIGICOM project will be rather focused, and exclude outreach activities such as an ESS blog as well as training, workshops, awarenessraising activities which are already currently being undertaken by the European Statistical Data Support 19 (ESDS). The promotion of further European Statistical Training Programme 20 (ESTP) training is also not seen as being part of the DIGICOM project. A tool for the assessment of statistical literacy and a tool for literacy based dissemination are not foreseen. The focus in the DIGICOM project will be in the development of concrete joint products for increasing statistical literacy particularly in the area of universities and schools. A practice currently applied by a number of NSIs which could be expanded in the area of Statistics Explained is the statistical school ; websites could be set up across the ESS by creating a library or a set of articles describing and defining statistical concepts and methodology. However, this will not be pursued as a separate action within the DIGICOM project Estimates based on models The development of model-based estimates is not foreseen to be part of the DIGICOM project. Activities along these strands are rather foreseen for the ESS.VIP project on Big Data and Administrative Data (see 5.2.3). A possible approach to get timely data on phenomena not covered throughout the ESS by current official statistics would be to conduct Eurobarometer surveys (or otherwise incorporate untraditional sources of data) to allow products to be augmented by adding new dimensions and conduct more timely releases. However, as the blending of such data and official statistics would normally have to rely on modelling, this augmented input approach is out of scope of the DIGICOM project. From this it follows that while daily statistics would render an official statistics app more likely to be consulted on a daily basis, it would (considering that the underlying set of data would be updated far less frequently) have to rely on modelling and/or augmented input ; such daily statistics are thus out of scope of the DIGICOM project ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

18 While crowdsourcing could serve simultaneously as a vessel for user engagement and for improved statistics, it would also imply modelling to achieve representativeness, and is therefore out of scope of the DIGICOM project ESS coordination activities While there could be synergies from using the communication and visualisation expertise active in the DIGICOM project to improve the Vision website, this is not viewed as a core task of the DIGICOM project itself, and therefore considered to be out of scope. This doesn t preclude the soliciting of the individual expertise assembled in the DIGICOM project by other ESS stakeholder for this, or similar, activities, but it would not be part of the DIGICOM project. One possible activity to enhance ESS coordination is the development of a tool for rapid propagation/assessment across the ESS of new ideas. For instance, if an NSI creates a new index (or set of statistics) on some area of statistical interest, for national use, this index may be valid for the rest of the NSIs. The idea is to create a mechanism (e.g. a software package) which could advise on the applicability of the new index for other countries. This could be used by other Member States NSIs to see if they also could deploy the same index. Alternatively, it could be used centrally to assess whether the index could be produced at European level. While promising, this idea is not perceived as a high priority of the DIGICOM project, and therefore deemed to be out of scope ESS-wide roll-out The DIGICOM project will conduct proof of concept type development, conduct inventories of (and develop) shareable solutions, develop an annual ESS flagship product (with the associated activities), as well as a strategy on communicating the value of European Statistics. Whereas the DIGICOM project will include promotional activities, the actual uptake of the output of the project is outside the control of the DIGICOM project team, and has to be assured by the appropriate ESS stakeholders Turning user needs into new data collection The DIGICOM project helps the ESS to meet the Vision objective to enhance the capacity of the ESS to be agile and responsive to user needs. However, in certain respects it is a stepping stone: we will have more information about who our users are and what they needs, but this information will only become actionable if there are structures in place to rapidly conduct new primary data collection. The ESS also needs the technical dexterity to respond to user need quickly, ahead of their expectations changing. The technical and organisational infrastructure needed to enable fast turnaround of product development is ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

19 out of scope of DIGICOM project. The DIGICOM project would feed into such infrastructures. 5. IMPACT ASSESSMENT 5.1. Stakeholder Analysis In Annex 1, the stakeholder analysis of the DIGICOM project is presented. As could be seen from that analysis: While WP1 has users at its core, the outcomes will only serve users indirectly, in enabling improved European statistics. The stakeholders in direct need of for the outputs of WP1 (user profiles, user needs) are rather those colleagues of the ESS who strive to meet user needs, and therefore need to know who the users are and what they need. The ESS flagship product foreseen in WP2 should be designed to meet the needs of a wide range of users, from the institutional users to the general public. The improved tools for visualisation foreseen in WP2 would serve the ESS colleagues in charge of developing, producing and disseminating statistics, whereas the users would benefit from the actual outcome (i.e. improved visualisation). WP3 on Open Data Dissemination would serve the need of (very) heavy users of statistics (including re-disseminators). The outreach and statistical literacy activities of WP4 correspond to an unmet (but unexpressed/unknown) need among light users and non-users (as well as heavy (mis)users ) of statistics in order to allow them to, by becoming better informed, take better decisions Project Environment The DIGICOM project will be carried out in a dynamic environment, with several parallel activities ongoing which address issues closely related to the DIGICOM project; a subset of those activities are presented in the following sections. It has to be underlined that a number of DIGICOM project activities depend on the output of such activities, and will only become possible to launch (or conclude) if and when those activities have been successfully concluded. This means that certain DIGICOM project activities are only possible to launch during the latter half of the project, and that some activities might not be launched at all (in the event of parallel activities not rendering the expected output) Related conferences There are three important conference series which address issues connected to the DIGICOM project. First, there is the conference of European Statistic ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

20 Stakeholders (CESS 21 ) which enhances the dialogue between European methodologists, producers and users of European statistics and was held 2014 in Rome. Second, there are regular modernisation workshops that focus on statistical modernisation activities within the ESS, the most recent one was held 2014 in Valencia. 22 Third, the biennial conference on New Techniques and Technologies for Statistics (NTTS) which also addresses issues related to the DIGICOM project. The most recent NTTS conference 23 was held 2015 in Brussels The Dissemination Working Group First, the Dissemination Working Group (DWG) works on Vision topics and two task forces related to the working group are implemented, first a task force on Visualisation and Infographics and second a task force on Statistics Explained. The Task Force on Data Visualisation and Infographics serves as a platform to exchange practices and information on existing or planned data visualisation tools and their reusability, as well as to identify possible fields for cooperation between Eurostat and the NSIs. The aim is to propose priorities and actions in the field of data visualisation as potential components of the DIGICOM project. The Task Force on Statistics Explained explores the possibility to use Statistics Explained as a common electronic platform for disseminating statistical articles. The Task Force will select a topic of interest for a large public, assess the feasibility to release articles in all EU countries and define working arrangements, such as technical requirements, translation and validation The ESS Vision portfolio The ESS.VIP project on Big Data (ESS.VIP BIGD) is likely to render output of utility to the DIGICOM project including the basis for certain experimental statistics. Coordination between the two projects is needed to ascertain that ESS.VIP BIGD renders output that is compatible with the platform for experimental statistics that the DIGICOM project will put in place. The ESS.VIP project on Administrative Data (ESS.VIP.BUS.ADMIN) will, as well as ESS.VIP BIGD, render certain model-based outputs (which is why this is out of scope for the DIGICOM project). With the emphasis on shareable solutions, the modalities for actually sharing the output of the DIGICOM project are important. The principles under NTTS ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

21 development in the ESS.VIP project on Shared Services (ESS.VIP.CRC.SERV) will be important in this regard. The Quality supporting framework of the ESS Vision 2020 Portfolio Vision 2020) investigates among others key quality elements for the Vision which are relevant for the DIGICOM project. The exact definitions of these elements will (once developed by Vision 2020 and adopted by the appropriate ESS body) feed directly into the DIGICOM project, which will base its strategy also on these very key elements in communicating the value of European statistics Eurostat project on renovation of the dissemination chain Eurostat is currently running a major project on renovation of the dissemination chain. This project is foreseen to render outputs of use to the DIGICOM project Open Data A number of initiatives and projects aimed at improving dissemination and communication of European and national statistics as well as promoting the value of official statistics are currently on-going in the Member States. This vast experience should be further exploited in refining the scope of the DIGICOM project Microdata access Commission Regulation (EU) No 557/2013 on access to confidential data for scientific purposes established new procedures of access at the EU level. Access to confidential data is restricted to accredited researchers. The future developments in the area will focus on confidential data users needs (improved microdata transmission, development of metadata, organisation of trainings for the users etc.) 24. Notwithstanding, the DIGICOM project will focus on the development of public use files (PUFs) i.e. microdata available for the general public. In December 2014 Eurostat launched a specific grant agreement aiming at the development of PUFs (on EU-SILC and LFS data) mainly for testing and training purposes. The first PUFs will be available in the beginning of 2016 and will provide input for DIGICOM Research projects Activities carried out under the EU research framework programmes (FP7 and Horizon 2020) may render outputs relevant to the DIGICOM project. For example, OpenCube 25 is an EU funded project involving partners from the UK, Greece, Ireland, Germany and Belgium that aims to publish and enrich linked open statistical data for the development of data analytics and See more: item 15 of the 26 th meeting of the ESSC " Implementation of the Commission Regulation (EU) No 557/2013 on access to confidential data for scientific purposes". ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

22 enhanced visualisation services. Since 2013, there has been work on building the first comprehensive software solution for data analytics based on Linked Open Statistical Data. This project, which concludes in October 2015, might provide useful input for DIGICOM High-level ESS stakeholders The Vision was presented at the ESAC meeting in January The Committee expressed its satisfaction and appreciation for the fact that users of statistics have been determined as one of the five key areas in the Vision. Since then ESAC has been exploring concrete ways to contribute to the implementation of the Vision goals in particular related to: i) establishment of electronic communication infrastructure (network) connecting users and understanding their different needs; ii) developing new forms of collaboration between users and producers; iii) identifying different typologies of homogeneous users with the aim to segment population of users according to their different needs; iv) promoting the quantitative culture of statistics and need to invest in official statistics. A paper on users and communication 26 was adopted by the ESAC 1 July At the initiative of Eurostat, a small group of Heads of NSIs informally met in Vienna on 12 February 2015 to brainstorm on the basis of a paper produced by Eurostat. The key topics discussed by the group were the ability of official statistics to adapt to user needs, marketing, the use of a European statistics brand, communication on quality and value of official statistics, as well as funding issues. The Vienna Group has held a second meeting in Amsterdam on 3 July 2015 and the results of the discussions were presented to the ESSC in September The Vienna group is expected to provide strategic orientation on user analytics, marketing and European statistics brand. The DIGICOM project owner and the DIGICOM project manager are coordinating with these initiatives, either personally or via the Eurostat representatives in/attendees to these fora International organisations There are existing initiatives on international level to be taken into consideration. 26 The Users of Statistics and their role in the European Society, paper by Maurizio Vichi, Maria João Valente Rosa and Frances Ruane. ESAC document 2015/1175; ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

23 Following the UNECE Conference of European Statisticians (CES) seminar on What is the value of official statistics and how do we communicate that value? held in April 2014, the CES Bureau decided in February 2015 to pursue work on the valuation of the impact of statistics. The objective is to explain and promote the importance of official statistics to government and private sector partners and stimulate appropriate funding. The work will be organised in three work strands: first, marketing of the value of official statistics: identification and sharing of good practices; common priorities and tools for communicating the value of official statistics. Second, the costs of official statistics production: valuation with comparable measurement tools based on the Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM); and third, the impact of official statistics: common framework to measure and understand the benefits, impact and economic value of official statistics. The High-Level Group for the Modernisation of Official Statistics (HLG-MOS) was set up by the Bureau of the CES in 2010 to oversee and coordinate international work relating to statistical modernisation. The mission of the HLG-MOS is to oversee development of frameworks, and sharing of information, tools and methods, which support the modernisation of statistical organisations. The aim is to improve the efficiency of the statistical production process, and the ability to produce outputs that better meet user needs. The Modernisation Committee on Products and Sources is a HLG-MOS subgroup which undertakes activities of high relevance to the DIGICOM project: development of the various products needed to meet the increasing demands of users; communication and dissemination, including access to micro-data; open data etc. The UNECE workshop on Communication of statistics held in April 2015 identified the following key items for the future work in the Communication area: on social media (share strategies, develop indicators for measuring impact and effectiveness of social media activities), on apps, APIs and open data (international collaboration on standards, introduction of global hackathon), on digital publishing of statistics (share experience on topics such as yearbooks, visualisation tools, games to promote statistical literacy, etc.) and on building and maintaining the credibility of official statistics (how to ensure and maintain independence, guidelines on reputation/crisis management). In all areas there are already practices to be shared among countries but it is indispensable to develop indicators for measuring and analysing the best practices. ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

24 The OECD Data Lab 27 invites the general public to explore the OECD data tools and visualisations and provide their feedback, and thereby participate in shaping the future of how OECD data is presented online. This is a practice well worth considering for similar ESS initiatives. The project Statistical Network Innovation in Dissemination (SNID 28 ) is an initiative of the Statistical Network which could provide useful inputs to the DIGICOM project. The International Marketing and Output DataBase Conference (IMAODBC 29 ) may provide the DIGICOM project with new trends and upcoming technologies on the dissemination of statistics Cost-Benefit Analysis An analysis of the costs and benefits also needs to take into account the do nothing alternative as well as an alternative of multiple projects and the clearly preferred and proposed integrated version of the DIGICOM project. In the following these three options are described. The deployment costs for the ESS-wide DIGICOM project are reverse to the saving costs for the Member States resulting from synergy effects from the DIGICOM project. The intention is to develop ESS blueprints that allow individual Member States to transfer deliverables into their own product portfolio with only little or even no extra costs involved. Those transfer and follow-up costs are dependent on the existing portfolio in each Member State and are explicitly not part of the DIGICOM project Alternative A do nothing The DIGICOM project is the only ESS.VIP component directly addressing the two Vision key areas focus on users and improve dissemination and communication. If no actions are undertaken, the ESS is unlikely to deliver European solutions on these objectives. Even without European-level initiatives, specific solutions might be developed in isolation by certain ESS members, but this would be inefficient from a resource perspective The Statistical Network of Innovation in Dissemination was looking to develop a Request for Information (RFI) to put to the market jointly with SNZ, Stats Canada, Istat, ONS, ABS, asking for information regarding products/services to help us run safe and effective APIs. An automated Statistical Disclosure Control (SDC) System for Microdata Dissemination work stream were looking to take the CSPA components which Stats Canada has produced (under the auspices of HLG) and test them in their own environments ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

25 Alternative B multiple projects The DIGICOM project could be disassembled into its constituent parts, and run as three independent projects ( Digital communication, User analytics and Innovative products ). However, in that case, there is a risk for suboptimal communication, and challenges regarding the demarcation between the various components, as they are heavily interlinked Alternative C integrated DIGICOM project By running an integrated project, the fact that the components are interlinked could be exploited to arrive at synergies between the various components. The costs (see 6.3.1) of this integrated programme should be put in relation to the benefits of directly addressing the two Vision key areas focus on users and improve dissemination and communication : allowing the ESS to engage proactively in a regular dialogue with users to understand their needs (by User analysis ); meeting the need for providing policy-makers with reliable, comparable and timely statistics to execute policies (e.g. by providing a statistical portrait of Europe), responding to the need to offer right information in the right way (e.g. by visualisation); improving the dissemination and communication by recognising that different users have different needs (e,g, by Open data dissemination ) and responding to the Vision s aim for a future-proof communication strategy that underlines the value of official statistics and promotes the brand of European Statistics. The key benefits form the main DIGICOM project deliverables can be summarised as the following: First there will be new access to data via an open data gateway, second a flagship product will provide an innovative analysis on Europe from a statistical point of view to allow a better understanding of Europe. Third, the DIGICOM project will improve the communication with users and stakeholders, rendering the ESS more able to respond flexibly to their needs. Finally, it will yield a series of solutions and tools, ready to be used within the ESS. It needs to be emphasised that the actions that are planned for the latter half of the project are often rather far-reaching in scope, and that the exact definition of these actions are heavily dependent upon the outcome of previous actions Risk Analysis A considerable number of risks have been identified for the DIGICOM project; they are listed in Annex 2. Some risks are DIGICOM specific, ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

26 whereas many risks are generic project management risks, which must be managed for DIGICOM project. Below, some salient features of the risks identified are discussed. The R codes refer to the risks as numbered in the risk inventory Suboptimal development There is a risk (R21) that the development of solutions takes place without taking due consideration of already existing solutions in the ESS and beyond. To mitigate this risk, the DIGICOM project includes several stocktaking actions and (e.g. inventories of shareable practices) to make sure that good/best practices in the ESS are taken as the point of departure. There is also a risk for the solutions developed not meeting general quality requirements (R5) or user requirements (R6). Therefore, actions to collect requirements (high-level requirements as well as technical/functionality requirements) are foreseen; possibly the outcomes of WP1 will be used to cover parts of the user requirements aspect Standardisation The members of the ESS are simultaneously the subject to two types standardisation requirements. The risks of diverging from international/ess standards (R7) or national standards (R8, R9) or programmes (R24) do thus require special attention, especially in situations where national and international standards are incompatible. In situations of clear incompatibility, the scaling down of certain activities might become necessary. The DIGICOM project actions to establish new standards should also be carried out with existing national and international standards in mind, i.e. after a thorough ex-ante inventory and analysis of standards used on the national level. The DIGICOM project will ensure that all tools to be built follow enterprise architecture principles and comply with standards for multilingual support of project outputs Implementation and maintenance The risk of development results not being sustained (R15) or implemented (R17) are common to many development activities, but are of particular relevance to the DIGICOM project because of its non-mandatory nature. While implementation of results cannot be imposed, the stocktaking actions should include making sure that sufficiently many ESS members are likely to implement the DIGICOM results (and that any requirements that would be a prerequisite for implementation are collected during the requirements specification action) and the securing of the continued support of solution providers. ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

27 6. APPROACH 6.1. Methodology This project will follow the PM 2 Methodology for all project activities General Description Figure 2 outlines the typical flow of actions within each strand of the DIGICOM project: To avoid duplication, inventories of ESS shareable practices are established wherever possible (normally in a two-stage procedure, with a screening in the second stage). Whenever reasonable, such inventories are augmented with the input from business intelligence activities to seek influence from other actors and other disciplines. The establishment of ESS guidelines, standards or strategies is included whenever this could be achieved in a resource efficient way. This is a high priority if applicable. Light development /adaptation of solutions which in principle are shareable is undertaken whenever this is necessary to render them shareable in practice. Major development is only conducted in instances where an unmet ESS need is encountered. Certain actions depend on development results from other activities, and would not entail any major development within the DIGICOM project. Whereas actual implementation falls outside the scope of this project, piloting of solutions is conducted whenever applicable and resource efficient. Business intelligence Best practices elsewhere? What do other disciplines do? What do our "competitors" do? What do re-disseminators do? Inventory of practices Assessment of practices Meeting ESS needs? Shareable? Guidelines Good practices? Piloting Rendering generic Actual sharing! Development of solutions Piloting of solutions Figure 2. General flow of the DIGICOM project ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

28 6.3. Resources and Lead Times Resources In terms of financial resources, it is foreseen that the DIGICOM project would require 6.2 MEUR during its lifespan, with most of that amount befalling the Commission (Eurostat) and approximately EUR of the costs to be borne by the Member States. The largest overall amount would be distributed in the second and third year of the DIGICOM project, the first and last project years will require less resources. A simplified illustration can be found in Figure 3. Figure 3. Financial resources needed over the DIGICOM project period To this one should add the human resource efforts of the ESS members devoted to the DIGICOM project without any compensation (participation to WGs/TFs, compiling replies to questionnaires, contributing to inventories, testing, validating outputs, etc.) as well as Eurostat s human resources for managing the project. The post-project implementation costs remain to be estimated. Nevertheless, certain elements will involve deployment costs such as the installation of shared tools or providing national input for new ESS products. Another example for such costs will be the ESS flagship product which will create costs and the benefits will remain to be estimated. The estimation of the deployment costs is foreseen to take place at a later stage, based on the forthcoming model for implementation costs being developed by the VIG. It should be noted that the duration and effective scope of the project is dependent on the size of the budget and the amount of human resources the Commission (Eurostat) can actually make available for this project. Rescheduling and reduction of activities are the contingency strategy for this risk (see R12 of Annex 2). ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

29 Roadmap In Table 2 below, a synoptic overview is given concerning the timing of the various WPs of the DIGICOM project. A detailed action-by-action roadmap for the DIGICOM project is presented in Annex 3. As part of the project management task, the DIGICOM project Steering Group (see 7.2 below) will be charged with setting up several reflection points throughout the DIGICOM project. These reflections should not only take stock of project results so far (including updated user requirements resulting from testing/user engagement), but also include an element of business intelligence, i.e. monitoring of results (including technical advancements) achieved elsewhere (see 5.2 above). By subsequently updating and re-prioritising among the actions, aligning deliverables with outside activities, revising project objectives and updating the roadmap, the DIGICOM project will stay agile. Table 2. Synoptic roadmap of the DIGICOM project Work Package Project management WP1 User Analysis WP1.1 User profiling exercise WP1.2 Set-up of a social network platform for users of statistics WP1.3 User surveys WP2 Innovative and shareable products and tools WP2.1 Development of a new innovative biennial ESS flagship product WP2.2 Development of tools to support ESS flagship product WP2.3 Improving the visual dissemination of European statistics WP3 Open Data Dissemination WP3.1 Linked open data WP3.2 Facilitation and harmonisation of APIs to European data WP3.3 Development of a European re-use policy WP3.4 Improved access to microdata WP3.5 Search and extraction tools WP4 Communication and promotion WP4.1 Communication and marketing strategy WP4.2 Outreach activities ( ) WP4.3 Statistical literacy WP4.4 Communicating the value of European statistics Legend: = Interim/final report = Event ( ) = Possible repetition = Stocktaking, inventories = WP ongoing = IT development intensive phase Note: For WP4.4, it will be investigated during the detailed planning phase whether an early piloting, based on existing solutions, could be performed already during Project Funding Member State input Three principal types of Member State involvement are foreseen for the DIGICOM project: (1) steering of the project, (2) participation as information supplier in the stocktaking exercise, and (3) operational/development work mainly carried out by means of ESSnets. While contributions all Member States are expected to supply information about their own activities in the stocktaking exercises (2) work of type (1) and (3) is completely voluntary. The impact in terms of workload is thus essentially limited to the tasks that Member State NSIs are willing to take on. For tasks of type (1), the participation in the governance of the project (in the steering group and the work package teams) is voluntary. Following the ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

30 traditional ESS governance approach, the costs for the work carried out by an NSI in this regard is to be borne by that NSI, whereas costs associated to physical meetings (travel etc.) are foreseen to be covered by the Commission (Eurostat). For tasks of type (2), all Member States are expected to fully participate as information suppliers in the various stocktaking actions of the DIGICOM project. The efforts needed here would be limited. For those actions no financial flows are foreseen; the costs for the work carried out in this regard are to be borne by the NSI itself. Regarding the tasks of type (3), it is important that any solutions developed in the DIGICOM project are extensively validated at national level. To this end, the project will include actions carried out by means of ESSnets (see Table 1). This will be the main form of participation by NSIs in the operational tasks of the DIGICOM project. Participation to ESSnets is voluntary. The ESSnets will be financed by means of grants from the Commission (Eurostat) to a consortium of Member State NSIs. A small percentage of the ESSnet costs will be borne by the grantees (i.e. the participating NSIs) External expertise The DIGICOM project will also involve studies carried out by (e.g. visualisation and communication) experts from outside the world of official statistics. Those studies will be financed through procurement contracts managed by Eurostat and funded by the European Commission (Eurostat). There will also be a number of IT development actions in the DIGICOM project. This development will be financed through procurement contracts managed by Eurostat and funded by the European Commission (Eurostat). 7. PROJECT ORGANISATION 7.1. Project Manager The DIGICOM project manager is Martin Karlberg, team leader for the Research and Innovation in Official Statistics team in Eurostat unit B1 (Methodology and corporate architecture). The deputy DIGICOM project manager is Britta Gauckler of the same team Reporting Structure The VIG (Vision Implementation Group) oversees the Vision implementation portfolio on behalf of the ESSC and it will thus play a central role in the roll-out of the DIGICOM project activities. This includes reports on a regular basis to the ESSC. The governance for the DIGICOM project is as follows: ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

31 Within the European Statistical System, there is no ESS Directors Group associated to the DIGICOM project due to its cross-cutting nature; the VIG will thus perform this role. A DIGICOM project Steering Group will be set up. It will assure coordinated output of the various actions, the monitoring of the timetable, regular reviews and revisions if necessary. The DIGICOM project Steering Group will also report on progress at regular time intervals to the Working Group on Dissemination, the DIME and inform other relevant Directors Groups as appropriate. Moreover it will consult as needed with ESAC, PressNet, etc. It will also contribute to the VIG reports on the overall progress of the Vision implementation portfolio. The DIGICOM project Steering Group should be composed by approximately 10 senior ESS colleagues (with priority given to the representation of NSIs that are not intensively involved in the operational tasks part of the work package teams) and shall serve as a reference group to give feedback to the work package teams to help aligning the workloads in order to serve all ESS needs. In each Work Package, there will be a Work Package Team composed of colleagues from Eurostat and the ESS Member States, charged with steering and monitoring the activities of that Work Package. Each Work Package Team will be chaired by one of its members and will be responsible for the implementation of the action. Moreover, each work package is supported by a number of instruments, such as work carried out by means of contracts (Eurostat procurement), ESSnets, financial support in the form of contributions to useful trainings or the organisation of workshops and work carried out without any financial instrument (using the own resources of each ESS member). In order to guide the DIGICOM project on an operational/working level, external reference groups shall be consulted (whenever possible via the social network platform; see WP1.2) to help guide and collect feedback for the DIGICOM project. First, to benefit from external views a reference group shall be introduced in order to collect feedback. This reference group could consist of users external to the ESS. Certain groups internal to the ESS, such as the DWG, would also serve as a reference groups to be consulted. The feedback thus obtained shall help to guide the DIGICOM project. The project owner for the DIGICOM project is Emanuele Baldacci, Director of Eurostat Directorate B (Methodology; corporate statistical and IT services) Project Team The DIGICOM core project team, in charge of the day-to-day management of the DIGICOM project, will consist of Eurostat colleagues, mainly from the Methodology and corporate architecture unit (B1) and from the Dissemination unit (B4). The team will be coordinated by the Eurostat DIGICOM project manager. Day-to-day monitoring of work carried out by means of financial instruments (including ESSnets, which are financed by ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

32 means of grants as well as outsourced work carried out by means of procurement contracts) will be conducted by the Eurostat project officers in charge of these instruments Project Documentation Final versions of all official ESS.VIP DIGICOM documents, including key correspondence, will be filed 30 electronically via the Commission s advanced record system ARES. The responsibility for this resides with the ESS.VIP DIGICOM project manager. For major subprojects (e.g. ESSnets or procurement contracts) this task might be delegated to the sub-project managers concerned. For the purpose of ad hoc sharing of information within the project team, an ESS.VIP DIGICOM subsection to the CROS portal has been set up. This subsection might also be used for selected communication targeting e.g. the ESS as a whole. 30 Filing will take place in ARES file no /2015/012, ESS.VIP DIGICOM (Digital Communication User analytics and Innovative products) Programme (or one of its subfiles). ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

33 1.Institutional users 2a. General interest users 2b. Specific interest users 2c. Research users Very heavy users (ii) Heavy users (i) Light users (iii) Non users (iv) Policy (ESSC) Development Production Dissemination Communication Statistical Network for Innovation in Dissemination International orgs. (UNECE, OECD) Open Data Institute Statistical societies Government Digital Service Annex 1. STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS Users are at the core of the DIGICOM project, and actions tailored to the needs of specific user categories are a key success factor. Therefore, the stakeholder needs and expectations (Table 1.1) have been analysed with particular emphasis on the users, based on the taxonomies proposed in a recent ESAC paper (see the heading A possible user taxonomy below). Part of the needs of this group of stakeholders (the users) will only become apparent once user sentiments have been gauged, in particular during Work Package 1 of the DIGICOM project; an update of the below table might thus take place at that stage. It should be emphasised that the categorisation of users applies to national as well as EU level. For instance institutional users could be EU or national policy makers. Table 1.1. Stakeholder needs and expectations in the context of the DIGICOM project Need Us ers ESS Part ers User needs (by user profile) Rapid user feedback An new innovative ESS flagship product Inventories of solutions Visualisation tools Improved visualisation More official statistics data in open data portal ESS open data gateway Improved APIs to European data Improved search functionalities Improved extraction tools Communication strategy Communication kit for Press Officers Improved statistical literacy Outreach Experimental statistics Label for experimental statistics Compliance with existing standards ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

34 A possible user taxonomy In their paper on users of statistics 26, Vichi et al. distinguish on one hand between (1) Institutional users and (2) non-institutional users, with non-institutional users further subdivided into: 2a. Users with a general interest (e.g., economic growth) Journalists and media Citizens Students (by level of education, or age) and Teachers (by level of teaching education) 2b. Users with a specific subject/domain interest (e.g., health) Other decision makers Policy analysts Marketing analysts Experts in a specific field 2c. Users with a research interest (e.g., innovation in enterprises) Scientific community academics and researchers at universities and research institutions Consultants and researchers in Governmental Agencies and private sector This is then crossed with another taxonomy identifying users according to their frequency of statistical usage and proficiency: (i) Heavy users: researcher, specialist, politically or civically-engaged citizen, and others that use statistics on a daily basis. Typically this is the person who knows where to find data and how to interpret it. Within this category we can distinguish the (ii) Very heavy users: researchers who would be routinely engaged in using disaggregated and micro data (AMFs and RMFs) in their research and who could contribute to the improvement of data quality by engaging with data producers (iii) Light (occasional) users: user who from time to time checks some figures. He/she would know the National Official Statistics and Eurostat websites but would find some difficulty in getting the data he/she needs and would not be looking for metadata. (iv) Non-users who might be Potential-users: all people who do not go looking for data believing it is something hard to understand and not being aware of data s relevance and richness. Of course, as is often the case, these typologies are not independent; institutional users would be more of heavy users; non-users are potential users with a general interest. Vichi et al. provide a schematic overview combining the two classifications (see Table 1.2). ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

35 Table 1.2. Users classification by frequency and interest 1. Institutional Users a. Users with a general interest (2.a) 2. Non institutional Users b. Users with specific interest (2.b) c. Users with research interest (2.c) Heavy users Light users Non users ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

36 Annex 2. RISK ANALYSIS In the DIGICOM project risk inventory of Table 2.1, the standard convention is followed for calculating the risk level (see the I, L and RL columns): I (Impact) ranges from 1 (low) - 5 (very high) L (likelihood) ranges from 1 (low) - 5 (very high) The Risk Level is obtained as RL=I L An additional column Type has been added with the following possible values: WP1-WP4 DIGICOM-specific risk associated with a Work Package PM generic project management risk SRM risk (relevant to DIGICOM) listed in the DGINS paper Implementation of the ESS Vision 2020 ESS Vision 2020 Strategic Risk Management (identification, assessment and mitigation actions) ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

37 Type Risk No. WP1 R1 WP1 R2 WP1 R3 WP2 R4 WP2 R5 WP2 & R6 WP3 WP2 & R7 WP3 WP4 R8 WP4 R9 WP4 R10 Table 2.1. Risks identified for the DIGICOM project Risk If "risk" happens then Divergent needs among users of European statistics Difficult to arrive at a single content strategy. This could also concern different level of statistical literacy among users across different countries. Incomparable user surveys Impossible to draw conclusions/conduct comparisons at the ESS level. In-depth analysis Risk of resource inefficiency/large resorucee consumption/lack of focus. New products fails to satisfy accessibility, information assurance & security requirements The benefits are not reaped, because results cannot be used/implemented throughout the ESS DIGICOM products fails to meet user needs Technology choices do not comply with international standards The benefits are not reaped, because results cannot be used/implemented throughout the ESS Technology choices do not comply with national standards The benefits are not reaped, because results cannot be used/implemented throughout the ESS Incompatibility with national strategies The ESS communication strategy may be inconsistent with the various national communication strategies Confusion of experimental statistics with European statistics Risk that the European statistics brand is tarnished Linguistic issues If solutions are too hard coded for one language, the results cannot be used/implemented throughout the ESS Resistance to change and fear of depending on sources outside the WP4 R11 statistical system PM R12 PM R13 PM R14 PM R15 PM R16 Insufficient financial resources The DIGICOM project delivers late or with insufficient quality There is insufficient staff with the necessary skills in place/recruited/retained. The DIGICOM project delivers late or with insufficient quality No post DIGICOM sustainability The new products are not effectively sustained after launch due to resource restrictions Member States are not actively involved in conducting the project No post DIGICOM implementation The benefits are not reaped, because results are not used/implemented throughout the ESS. I L RL Mitigation: Proposals to eliminate/minimise the risk (What you will do in any case to reduce/manage the risk) Emphasis on segmentation in the user profiling in WP1 to allow for targeted activities. Centralised user satisfaction survey Very clear, modest, goals should be set. It is also very important to decide what sections should be available and for what purpose Base analysis on existing, shareable practices Contingency: What you will do to respond (manage the impact) if the risk occurs (What you already do when it happens) Appropriate formulation of requirements specifications taking Ex-post correction of deliverables. relevant national and European requirements into account Collect user feedback even for beta versions of the products in the design phase. Ex-post correction of deliverables. Incorporate feedback functionality (Action 2.2-3). Implement a strict adherence to the international standards Ex-post correction of deliverables. agreed by the ESS. Explore opportunities to obtain derogations from Explore opportunities for simultaneous compliance with all national standards (on the grounds of international relevant standards in force. standards being applied) Involvement of DWG in the definition of the strategy. Identify elements of the strategy that cause conflicts and discard or reformulate them Put "experimental stats" in a dedicated website. Clear branding Ex-post damage control and communication strategy taking the distinction between experimental statistics actions. and European statistics into account. Make linguistic portability part of the requirements for all Ex-post correction of deliverables. Limitation of solutions, with language de-coupled from technology (and other deployment to languages served by the portability strategies for non-technical deliverables). deliverables Good communication on the scope and objectives of the project Commit to and allocate resources as planned front-load recruitment to the greatest possible extent. 8 Ensure participation of NSI with relevant skills Ensure inclusion of scientific community Constant contact with Member States throughout the lifetime of the project. Re-schedule, re-focus or scale down the concerned parts of the DIGICOM project. Re-schedule, re-focus or scale down the concerned parts of the DIGICOM project; intensify recruitment efforts. 4 3 Prior to undertaking development activities, make reasonably sure that the solution providers confirm their willingness to Refer the results to the appropriate ESS 12 maintain/curate results (secure a commitment to post-digicom stakeholders project work on sustainability) 4 1 Foresee alternative instruments for Application of the governance model outlined in Section 7.2. implementation (contracts). 4 Ensuring that the ToRs of ESSnets match the skills profile Re-schedule, re-focus or scale down the offered by ESS NSIs concerned parts of the DIGICOM project. Prior to undertaking development activities, make reasonably sure that sufficiently many ESS members confirm their willingness 4 3 to implement results (secure a commitment to post-digicom Refer the results to the appropriate ESS 12 project work on implementation) stakeholders Intensive communication with stakeholders Develop convincing use cases ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

38 Type Risk No. PM R17 insufficient quality PM R18 PM R19 PM R20 PM R21 SRM R22 SRM R23 WP1, WP2, R24 WP3, WP4 Risk If "risk" happens then Adverse influence by external sources The DIGICOM project delivers late or with Insufficient coordination The number of people involved slows down DIGICOM project delivery due to difficulties in planning and conflicting priorities or the difficulty in aligning various ESS stakeholders. No suitable contractors are found (in terms of offering adequate skills and staffing) Duplication/repetition of previous work Waste of resources and possibly even counterproductive outputs from the DIGICOM project. Building of stovepipes/island solutions. Lack of funding for face to face working and poor technology for remote collaboration Risk that the affordability of the DIGICOM project is wrongly estimated - budget risk The DIGICOM project delivers late or with insufficient quality Lack of coherence between national and ESS modernisation programmes Owing to the innovative nature of many actions, the conceptual/methodological work risks being to not have a sufficiently solid basis to be useful to the ESS The benefits are not reaped, because results cannot be used/implemented throughout the ESS I L RL Mitigation: Proposals to eliminate/minimise the risk (What you will do in any case to reduce/manage the risk) Conduct business intelligence Application of the governance model outlined in Section 7.2. Contingency: What you will do to respond (manage the impact) if the risk occurs (What you already do when it happens) Re-schedule, re-focus or scale down the concerned parts of the DIGICOM project. Re-schedule, re-focus or scale down the concerned parts of the DIGICOM project. Accomplish some tasks internally in Eurostat if resources are available Put emphasis on the various inventories of shareable solutions. Prepare thoroughly; clarify expectations in the terms of reference; Provide references to previous work Foresee frequent review of the progress and exchange of information with other activities (in accordance with the governance model outlined in Section 7.2) Reject deliverables of insufficient quality Technical collaboration in smaller groups Resources allocated for face-to-face meetings in duly justified (already foreseen in the governance model cases. outlined in Section 7.2) to allow for better circumstances in terms of VC logistics. Verify that the DIGICOM project provides clear definition of the detailed deployment actions, the timeline and the consequences for the MSs, in particular for the minimum requirements that are necessary for the successful implementation of the project. Recommend incremental approach to project development. Application of the VIG methodology to estimate deployment costs (once available). Ensure that the DIGICOM project develop solutions that allow for different national adaptations taking into consideration the variations in national production systems and national modernisation programmes. For each deliverable, specify the detailed deployment actions, the timeline and the consequences for the MSs, according to the maturity of the project. Specify the minimum requirements for the MSs. 3 2 Introduce reflection/decision points to regularly evaluate the projected quality of innovative deliverables and subsequently redefine the deliverables and re-prioritise among the project actions Ex-post modification of deliverables. 6 so that the DIGICOM project stays agile and the deliverables stay relevant. ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

39 Annex 3. ESS.VIP DIGICOM ROADMAP AND DELIVERABLES This annex is organised as follows: Table 3.1. Roadmap of the DIGICOM project presents the timelines for each of the foreseen actions. Table 3.2. Deliverables of the DIGICOM project presents the deliverables for each action, as well as the financial instrument (Contract or ESSnet) used to carry out the action. Under the headings WP1, WP2, WP3 and WP4, the actions of each work package of the DIGICOM project are briefly described in more detail. ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

40 Table 3.1. Roadmap of the DIGICOM project Work Package / Action Project management WP1 User Analysis WP1.1 User profiling exercise Action Inventory of shareable practices Action In-depth user analysis Action User profiling WP1.2 Set-up of a social network platform for users of statistics Action Requirements for social network platform Action Functional and technical specifications Action Develop and set-up of pilot social network Action Evaluation of pilot social network Action Roll-out of social network WP1.3 User surveys Action User survey based on user profiling exercise Action Evaluation with users WP2 Innovative and shareable products and tools WP2.1 Development of a new innovative biennial ESS flagship product Action Statistical portrait of Europe Action Design of multiple promotion channels Action Implementation of promotion channels Action ESS conference on the statistical portrait of Europe WP2.2 Development of tools to support ESS flagship product Action Repository of shareable tools Action Feedback functionality Action Requirements specification for tools Action Development/adaptation of pilot tools Action Evaluation of pilot tools Action Roll-out of tools WP2.3 Improving the visual dissemination of European statistics Action Inventories of shareable solutions Action Participation to ESS visualisation event Action Piloting of embeddable visualisations Action Development of common visualisation guidelines Action Development of visualisation tool(s) WP3 Open Data Dissemination WP3.1 Linked open data Action Linked Open Data stocktaking and requirement gathering Action Standards, ontologies and technical LOD solutions Action Publishing Eurostat data to Pan-European OD Portal Action Development of LOD portals Action Semantic format converter service Action ESS open data gateway WP3.2 Facilitation and harmonisation of APIs to European data Action Inventory of existing ESS APIs Action Definition of ESS standard for APIs WP3.3 Development of a European re-use policy Action Development of a strategy Action Promotional actions WP3.4 Improved access to microdata Action Stocktaking Action Development of microdata access solutions WP3.5 Search and extraction tools Action Inventory of search and extraction tools in the ESS Action Requirements for search and extraction tools Action Development of search and extraction tools WP4 Communication and promotion WP4.1 Communication and marketing strategy Action Communication and marketing study Action Development of a communication strategy Action ESS capacity building WP4.2 Outreach activities ( ) Action Design hackathon Action Promote hackathon Action Run hackathon ( ) Action Gamification WP4.3 Statistical literacy Action Inventory of existing outreach and literacy practices Action Development of statistical literacy products Action Promotion of statistical literacy products Action Discrepancy explanation tool WP4.4 Communicating the value of European statistics Action Study and survey the value of European Statistics Action Experimental data and statistics platform requirements Action Experimental data and statistics platform development Action Experimental data and statistics population and roll-out Legend: = Interim/final report = Event ( ) = Possible annual repetition = Stocktaking, inventories = WP ongoing = IT development intensive phase ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

41 Table 3.2. Deliverables of the DIGICOM project Work Package / Action WP1 User Analysis WP1.1 User profiling exercise Action Inventory of shareable practices Action In-depth user analysis Action User profiling WP1.2 Set-up of a social network platform for users of statistics Action Requirements for social network platform Action Functional and technical specifications Action Develop and set-up of pilot social network platform Action Evaluation of pilot social network platform Action Roll-out of social network platform WP1.3 User surveys Action User survey based on user profiling exercise Action Evaluation with users WP2 Innovative and shareable products and tools WP2.1 Development of a new innovative biennial ESS flagship product Action Statistical portrait on the state of Europe Action Design of multiple promotion channels Action Implementation of promotion channels Action ESS conference on the statistical portrait of Europe WP2.2 Development of tools to support ESS flagship product Action Repository of shareable tools Action Requirements specification for tools Action Feedback functionality Action Development/adaptation of pilot tools Action Evaluation of pilot tools Action Roll-out of tools WP2.3 Improving the visual dissemination of European statistics Action Inventories of shareable solutions Action Participation to ESS visualisation event Action Piloting of embeddable visualisations Action Development of common visualisation guidelines Action Development of visualisation tool(s) WP3 Open Data Dissemination WP3.1 Linked open data Action Linked Open Data stocktaking and requirement gathering Action Standards, ontologies and technical LOD solutions Action Publishing Eurostat data to Pan-European OD Portal Action Development of LOD portals Action Semantic format converter service Action ESS open data gateway WP3.2 Facilitation and harmonisation of APIs to European data Action Inventory of existing ESS APIs Action Definition of ESS standard for APIs WP3.3 Development of a European re-use policy Action Development of a strategy Action Promotional actions WP3.4 Improved access to microdata Action Stocktaking Action Development of microdata access solutions WP3.5 Search and extraction tools Action Inventory of search and extraction tools in the ESS Action Requirements for search and extraction tools Action Development of search and extraction tools WP4 Communication and promotion WP4.1 Communication and marketing strategy Action Communication and marketing study Action Development of a communication strategy Action ESS capacity building WP4.2 Outreach activities Action Design hackathon Action Promote hackathon Action Run hackathon Action Gamification WP4.3 Statistical literacy Action Inventory of existing outreach and literacy practices Action Development of statistical literacy products Action Promotion of statistical literacy products Action Discrepancy explanation tool WP4.4 Communicating the value of European statistics Action Study and survey the value of European Statistics Action Experimental data and statistics platform requirements Action Experimental data and statistics platform development Action Experimental data and statistics population and roll-out Deliverable no. Deliverable DIGICOM.D1.01 Online inventory of shareable practices DIGICOM.D1.02 Report on the application of user analysis practices DIGICOM.D1.03 User profiling report, including profiling criteria and piloting DIGICOM.D1.04 Report setting out requirements for an ESS social network platform DIGICOM.D1.05 Report with functional/technical specifications for an ESS social network DIGICOM.D1.06 Pilot ESS social network platform DIGICOM.D1.07 ESS social network platform evaluation report DIGICOM.D1.08 ESS social network platform in production DIGICOM.D1.09 ESS user survey based on user profiling exercise DIGICOM.D1.10 User evaluation of flagship product DIGICOM.D2.01 Statistical portrait on the state of Europe DIGICOM.D2.02 Promotion channels for ESS flagship product designed DIGICOM.D2.03 Promotion channels platform for ESS flagship product put in place DIGICOM.D2.04 ESS conference on the state of Europe held DIGICOM.D2.05 Repository of shareable tools DIGICOM.D2.06 Requirements specification for tools to support flagship product DIGICOM.D2.07 Feedback functionality for ESS flagship product DIGICOM.D2.08 Pilot version of innovative tools to support ESS flagship product DIGICOM.D2.09 Evaluation report for innovative tools DIGICOM.D2.10 Innovative tools rolled out DIGICOM.D2.11 Inventory of shareable visualisation solutions DIGICOM.D2.12 List of possible ESS visualisation actions DIGICOM.D2.13 Report on piloting of embeddable visualisation DIGICOM.D2.14 ESS visualisation guidelines DIGICOM.D2.15 Visualisation tools rolled out DIGICOM.D3.01 ESS requirements for Linked Open Data DIGICOM.D3.02 ESS standards, ontologies and technical solutions for LOD DIGICOM.D3.03 Eurostat data published to Pan-European Open Data Portal DIGICOM.D3.04 LOD portals developed DIGICOM.D3.05 Semantic format converter service developed DIGICOM.D3.06 European Open Data Gateway rolled out DIGICOM.D3.07 Inventory of existing (shareable) APIs across the ESS DIGICOM.D3.08 ESS standard for APIs DIGICOM.D3.09 ESS re-use policy DIGICOM.D3.10 Promotional actions for the ESS re-use policy DIGICOM.D3.11 Plan for developing microdata access solutions DIGICOM.D3.12 Microdata access solutions for the ESS DIGICOM.D3.13 Inventory of search and extraction DIGICOM.D3.14 Report setting out requirements for search and extraction tools DIGICOM.D3.15 Search and extraction tools rolled out DIGICOM.D4.01 Report on communication and marketing DIGICOM.D4.02 Communication and marketing strategy DIGICOM.D4.03 Communication kit, ESS trainings DIGICOM.D4.04 Hackathon design DIGICOM.D4.05 Hackathon promotion DIGICOM.D4.06 Hackathon executed DIGICOM.D4.07 Gamification product rolled out DIGICOM.D4.08 Inventory of shareable statistical literacy products and outreach practices DIGICOM.D4.09 Statistical literacy products DIGICOM.D4.10 Statistical literacy product promotion DIGICOM.D4.11 Discrepancy explanation tool rolled out DIGICOM.D4.12 Report on communicating the value of European Statistics DIGICOM.D4.13 Requirements for a platform for experimental data and statistics rolled out DIGICOM.D4.14 Platform for experimental data and statistics DIGICOM.D4.15 Platform rolled out and populated with experimental data and statistics ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

42 WP1. User Analysis WP1.1. User profiling exercise Action Inventory of shareable practices This action serves to establish inventories of shareable practices 31 : Current ESS CRM practices Current ESS practices in user satisfaction/user need assessment Current ESS practices in user profiling Current ESS practices in user interaction via social media Current ESS practices in web analysis Action In-depth user analysis This action serves to pilot existing ESS solutions, in the field of in-depth user analysis. A prerequisite is thus that shareable user analysis solutions have been identified in Action Depending on the solution identified, this action may include different activities, both more technical, such as paradata analysis, and more qualitative (such as focus group analysis and indepth analysis of actual user behaviour). Action User profiling Taking existing ESS practices identified in Action as the point of departure, this action includes: Development of criteria: Defining criteria to characterise profiles for different user groups and testing them. Develop a method of analysis of the statistics of visits of a Web site (Web analytics), especially for a site of dissemination of statistics (interpretation of reliable and comparable results (number and duration of visits, number of visitors...)) & analysis of the Web (not only own sites, whole web (gather and analyse information on what people think of our products or expect from us) Based on the outcomes: Develop a web analytics tool Develop a strategy for how to approach the different users. WP1.2. Set-up of a social network platform for users of statistics Action Requirements for social network platform The general non-technical, requirements for an ESS social network platform have to be established, taking current best practices 32 across the ESS w.r.t. 31 Examples from the UK include: Example from the UK: ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

43 social media interaction with users as the point of departure. It should be established in which respect the ESS social network will differ from a selfselected web panel. The inventory of re-useable CRMs in NSIs conducted in Action should also be used for this action; aspects of CRMs that could realistically be integrated into the ESS social network should be identified. Moreover, the possibility to integrate ESDS 19 feedback data in the social network should be considered. Action Functional and technical specifications The general non-technical, requirements for an ESS social network platform have to be established. What should it achieve? How could existing solutions be used? Action Develop and set-up of pilot social network platform A pilot social network, based on the requirements established in Action 1.2-2, should be developed and tested. Action Evaluation of pilot social network platform Before scaling up, the experiences from the pilot exercise of Action must be evaluated. Action Roll-out of social network platform Conditional on a successful outcome of the evaluation Action 1.2-4, the fullscale, ESS-level, social network, based on the pilot developed and tested in Action is to be rolled out. WP1.3. User surveys Action User survey based on user profiling exercise Based on the user profiles established in Action an ESSnet will develop a user survey to (i) elicit user needs (web survey) and expectations of users of European statistical data and, at the same time (ii) test the user profiles. A model questionnaire will be developed and tested based on the user profiles. Action Evaluation with users Depending on the outcome of Action the final product (and toolsdepending on the outcome) shall be evaluated and tested by the users themselves via a user feedback system (or a web survey depending on the product). This will be integrated into (or put in close proximity to) the product to gather opinions and suggestions on the specific product or on specific content published on the web. ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

44 WP2. Innovative and shareable products and tools WP2.1. Development of a new innovative biennial ESS flagship product Action Statistical portrait of Europe An ESS team will develop a statistical portrait of Europe and its social, environment and economic trends. Action Design of multiple promotion channels The content of the portrait will be communicated at a conference (Action 2.1-4), but it should be also rendered available online etc., and this aspect of the communication should, whenever possible, rely upon the innovative tools developed in WP2.2. A possibility would be an ESS website, or any other platform of promotion of the product. The multilevel dissemination would be combined with simultaneous press releases in all ESS countries. Action Implementation of promotion channels The promotion would take place prior to the conference (see Action 2.1-4). Action ESS conference on the statistical portrait of Europe To pre sent the report, a biennial conference would be organised in an EU country; the audience being different high-level stakeholders interested in having a European statistical perspective on trends. WP2.2. Development of tools to support ESS flagship product Action Repository of shareable tools Following an inventory of shareable tools, a repository of sharable tools will be developed and tested. Action Requirements specification for tools Under this action, requirements for innovative tools will be elaborated. These tools should fit to the product of WP2.1 but at the same time, they should be re-usable and possible to apply to other statistical products. Action Feedback functionality Here solutions for feedback will be developed and tested for all the products (i.e. a module to question about the satisfaction at the end of a product, a figure, a service, an app, etc.). The release of early tested beta versions shall be considered. Action Development/adaptation of pilot tools Actual development and testing of the (re-usable) tool(s) to support the flagship product. Action Evaluation of pilot tools By means of application to the product WP2.1. ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

45 Action Roll-out of tools This is a pre-requisite for the full-scale roll-out of the product WP2.1. WP2.3. Improving the visual dissemination of European statistics Action Inventories of shareable solutions An inventory of shareable visualisation solutions will be established. Action Participation to ESS visualisation event The DIGICOM project should be represented at the ESS visualisation event to gather ideas. Action Piloting of embeddable visualisations Member States will pilot and test the embeddable visualisations by participating to the Task Force on Data Visualisation and Infographics or (if not TF members) install or embed existing visualisations on their respective websites. This type of piloting is on-going for 3 Eurostat interactive infographics: (Economic Trends, Young Europeans and Quality of Life), and would be extended to other areas in this action. Possibly, this action will also build upon outcomes on embeddable visualisations from the Eurostat project on renovation of the dissemination chain. Action Development of common visualisation guidelines The already ongoing work in the Task Force on Data Visualisation and Infographics will be complemented by work of external visualisation expertise. Action Development of visualisation tool(s) To be developed based on recommendations in the guidelines and build a non-existing tool usable for the whole ESS. Releases of beta versions shall be considered. WP3. Open Data Dissemination WP3.1. Linked open data Action Linked Open Data stocktaking and requirement gathering The ESS Linked Open Data (LOD) environment is wide and diverse. Even when one ESS member is taken in isolation, there are multiple internal and external stakeholders with possibly conflicting requirements. Any ESS LOD initiatives must comply with LOD requirements. This action will explore the national and European aspects of the wide and diverse LOD ecosystem that are relevant to the ESS, and gather the requirements of the various stakeholders. ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

46 Action Standards, ontologies and technical LOD solutions Based on the stocktaking exercise (Action 3.1-1), the standards, ontologies and technical solutions for European and national LOD portals in the ESS will be developed. This action is foreseen to render multiple intermediate deliverables. Action Publishing Eurostat data to Pan-European OD Portal Based on the stocktaking exercise (Action 3.1-1) and the development and testing work (Action 3.1-2), Eurostat data will be published to the Pan- European Open Data Portal. Action Development of LOD portals Based on the stocktaking exercise (Action 3.1-1) and the development work (Action 3.1-2), an ESSnet will support the development of LOD portals in the ESS. Action Semantic format converter service This action concerns the development of is contingent on the outcome of the Eurostat project on renovation of the dissemination chain. Action ESS open data gateway Based on the stocktaking exercise (Action 3.1-1) and the development work (Action 3.1-2), an ESS open data gateway will be developed and rolled out. WP3.2. Facilitation and harmonisation of APIs to European data Improve extraction tools and APIs for access to European data. Action Inventory of existing ESS APIs The APIs available throughout the ESS will be explored to identify shareable practices, in particular in terms of functionalities. Action Definition of ESS standard for APIs This action depends on outcomes from the Eurostat project on renovation of the dissemination chain (as well as on Action 3.2-1), and aims to facilitate and harmonise APIs to European data. It will produce an ESS standard for API as a single data access layer towards the dissemination storage. Actual adoption of the ESS standard by the ESS standardisation authority may take place at a later stage. WP3.3. Development of a European re-use policy Action Development of a strategy A strategy to increase the re-use of statistics, taking the Common ESS conditions for access to and re-use of data 33 as the point of departure, will be elaborated. 33 Common ESS conditions for access to and re-use of data, document ESSC 2013/16/03/EN; the declaration in this document was unanimously supported by the ESSC of 7 February ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

47 Action Promotional actions Based on the promotion strand of the strategy (to be elaborated in Action 3.3-2), the re-use of statistics will be promoted. WP3.4. Improved access to microdata Action Stocktaking and plan for microdata access solutions Based on the various current and previous activities concerning microdata access (see 5.2.6), a plan for developing access solutions will be established. These could include either or both of PUFs and infrastructures for secure remote access to confidential microdata. Action Development of microdata access solutions Contingent on a favourable opinion on the plan (Action 3.4-1), development of improved microdata access solutions will be carried out (consider beta versions and testing). WP3.5. Search and extraction tools Action Inventory of search and extraction tools in the ESS This action concerns the review of best practices in the ESS for search engine capabilities and semantic search of statistical concepts on ESS websites. Regarding extraction, this action concerns the end user aspect (as opposed to the APIs catering to the needs of qualified users ; see WP3.2). Releases of tested beta versions shall be considered. Action Requirements for search and extraction tools Development of requirements (based on best practices). Action Development of search and extraction tools Based on available solutions that are possible to adapt and render re-useable in a light (and resource efficient) manner, reusable solutions for end-user search and extraction will be developed and tested (releases of beta versions shall be considered). WP4. Communication and promotion WP4.1. Communication and marketing strategy Action Communication and marketing study A communication and marketing/promotion study, conducted by specialists contracted by Eurostat will explore appropriate strategies for communicating and marketing official statistics to different user groups. The study should be based on shareable ESS practices, but also practices from outside the world of official statistics especially from competitors. Action Development of a communication strategy Based on the communication and marketing study (Action 4.1-1) an ESS communication strategy should be developed (for large parts based on ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

48 principles laid out in the Code of Practice (CoP) 34 ). This includes guidelines for the development of an ESS identity. Action ESS capacity building A communication kit, for use by Press Officers throughout the ESS (based on the communication strategy; Action 4.1-2) will be developed. It includes actions for capacity building such as the training of ESS staff (in alignment with the ESTP courses) in particular for communication, but also for other areas of the Table 3.1. Roadmap of the DIGICOM project. WP4.2. Outreach activities Action Design hackathon A European (or worldwide) Hackathon on statistical data will be designed, seeking inspiration from similar events within 35;36 and beyond the ESS. Action Promote hackathon Based in the design (Action 4.2-1), the will would be promoted to the appropriate group of prospective participants. Action Run hackathon The hackathon will be run during World Statistics Day. Action Gamification A gamification solution, possible to deploy across the ESS, should be developed and tested (testing of beta versions and early release could be considered), based on best practices identified (see Action 4.3-1). A possible application could involve phenomena with a clear longitudinal aspect (i.e. sustainable development, aging population ), since this would provide meaningful simulation / scenario functionalities. WP4.3. Statistical literacy Action Inventory of existing outreach and literacy practices This action aims in particular at stocktaking of promotional/outreach activities and experiences (including hackathons and contests), and to CoP see: Example: Statistics Sweden is providing all statistics via an API to the statistical database, it is used in many contexts, and to increase the use of this API, Statistics Sweden has together with other Swedish authorities organised a hackathon, with the aim of new applications will be created based on the data accessible through the API. This could be generalised to the ESS level, by letting others create apps based on European statistics and thus increase the circulation and use of European statistics. A nowcasting contest is currently being launched by the ESS.VIP BIGD project. ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

49 establish and inventory of statistical literacy products in the ESS and possibly beyond. Success stories as well as failures shall be reported. Action Development of statistical literacy products & strategy Based on the shareable practices (Action 4.3-1) a strategy in this area will be established and an ESSnet will develop joint products for increasing statistical literacy (targeting universities and schools). Action Promotion of statistical literacy products Joint products for increasing statistical literacy (targeting universities, schools as well as journalism schools). Action Discrepancy explanation tool An educational product which explains gaps between the data from the NSIs and from Eurostat will be developed and tested. WP4.4. Communicating the value of European statistics Action Study and survey the value of European Statistics This study will have as its main objective to explore how to communicate the value of European statistics, also building upon the decisions taken regarding the outcome of QUAL@ESS Vision As an example, it will include reflections on how to disseminate experimental statistics (or other statistics that do not fall into the category European statistics) without tarnishing the European statistics. The work of the Open Data Institute on promoting Open Data Certificates 37 might provide valuable input. It will include a survey on users to assess the level of trust in European statistics conducted using the user social media platform developed under work package 1. Action Experimental data and statistics platform requirements Based on the study (Action 4.4-1), as well as best practices elsewhere, requirements for an ESS platform for experimental data and statistics will be established (the release of beta versions shall be considered also to gain feedback). In addition to providing the data/statistics and allowing users to experiment with them, it should allow user feedback. Action Experimental data and statistics platform development The ESS platform for experimental data and statistics will be developed based on the requirements established. Piloting will take place using experimental output from e.g. ESS.VIP BIGD ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50

50 Action Experimental data and statistics population and roll-out The platform will be rolled out and populated with existing experimental statistics. ESS.VIP DIGICOM Business Case [PM² Simplified Template V.0.5] Version: (Approved) Date: 22 October / 50