Affiliations: Standards and Methods, Statistics New Zealand,
Christchurch, New Zealand. E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Statistics NZ aims to produce statistics that are fit for purpose in
an efficient, sustainable and adaptive manner. However, balancing sound
methodological solutions and agility is challenging. Statistics NZ has taken
advantage of well-developed IT environments and clear strategic directions in
terms of statistical architecture to develop and implement production systems
that support the organisation's goals. Production systems are composed of
standard methods, tools and processes. Outputs that use similar production
methods are processed on common platforms. The platforms also offer analysts
the opportunity to create new production systems without the help of IT teams.
The new platforms have encouraged standardisation and provide methods and tools
that can be used to process and analyse data collected from traditional sample
surveys or from an administrative source. When processing large volumes of
data, the focus is on error reduction and automation of standard methods for
each of the steps in the business process model. Centralised governance systems
and a constructive culture of innovation make these changes possible by
creating an environment conducive to managing change.