ADP strategic planning in a national statistical agency – An overview

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Miller, Ed¹

Note: [1] Ed Miller is currently head of the Computer Services Division of the Australian Bureau of Statistics. He entered the field of statistical computing in 1957 in the Statistics Division of the United Kingdom Board of Trade. In 1962 he was recruited by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) as a programmer and has since then worked in most areas of ADP in the Bureau. His responsibilities in recent years have included planning and acquisition of the ABS's current large scale central FACOM installation and DEC-based network. He is a Member of the Australian Computer Society, a member of the Standards Association of Australia Committee on Information Systems and Founding and current Chairman of the FACOM Users Association of Australia.

Abstract: ADP Strategic Planning in a national statistical agency is concerned with determining the fundamental technological base for the agency and the provision of certain essential characteristics. The nature of the technological base will depend on analysis of data management, functions, data/function relationships, access and evolution. Taken together, analysis of these five aspects should enable the agency to answer the most fundamental questions about the nature and distribution of its data, who needs access, from where and for what purposes. Hence the combinations of data, functions and access needed to fulfil the role of the agency can be determined. It is also necessary, in the rapidly changing world of computing technology and techniques to retain the ability of the agency to evolve without too much disruption. The essential characteristics to be provided include performance, user acceptability, organisational support and an approach to applications design which is consistent with the fundamental structure of the technological base. The emergence of the micro-computer needs to be recognised as a significant strategic force in the provision of computing services more suited to users needs but caution and sound judgement are needed to ensure appropriate, cost-effective use of these devices. The role of ADP Strategic Planning as an integral part of wider corporate planning must be recognised.

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1985-3401

Journal: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 339-346, 1985