Towards a simpler and more efficient BR

1
Towards a simpler and more efficient BR
Montréal (QC)
ICES-III
June 19, 2007
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Agenda

• Context of the BR Redesign
• Redesign Objectives
• Redesign changes
• Conceptual
• Applications
• Operations
• Conclusion

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Context of the BR Redesign

• The role of Statistics Canadas BR
• Master survey frame for all enterprises/institutio
  ns that operate within Canada
• Encompasses the basic SNA concepts
• Also used to record information regarding
  business contacts and response burden
• 100 surveys / 1,500 employees
• Issues with the current BR
• Computer system complex architecture obsolete
  software
• Update mechanisms stringent rules
  predominantly data-entry driven
• Difficulties with adapting to new business world
  realities

4
BR Redesign Objectives

• Simplification of the BR environment in order to
  facilitate updating tasks and the production of
  survey files.
• Accessibility through improved access to
  information contained within the Register so that
  more staff can both consult and make updates to
  the data according to access privileges
• Timeliness of data in the survey frame so as to
  minimize impacts in subsequent process of survey
  data.
• Integration of modules within the BR so as to
  increase its efficiency and provide better links
  with administrative and survey data.
• Complete Coverage through improved management and
  monitoring of response burden and by developing a
  more flexible environment so that the survey
  frame can be used for all economic surveys.

5
BR Redesign Changes

• Conceptual
• Integrated structure
• Application
• User friendly modules
• Operations
• Training plan
• MIS QE
• Reorganisation of the work

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Changes integrated structure

• Enterprises are delineated in 4 distinct files

• Explicit relation between the legal and
  operating structures

Statistical Structure
Legal Structure
BN File
Enterprise
CE1
a
Enterprise Company
Company
Operating Structure
Integrated Structure
a
a
Establishment
Establishment
Establishment location
CE3
CE2
Location
Location

• Statistical Flags will be derived directly on the
  integrated structure based on simple rules

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Changes integrated structure

• Enhanced understanding of the business structure
• Link survey collection entity directly with the
  operating structure (improve communication with
  respondents)
• More flexible environment for connecting entities
  to the BR (e.g., government structures, health
  field)
• Simplify the system

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Changes - Applications

• User friendly modules
• Provide interfaces common to all users
• Navigate through all information concerning a
  business
• Use of software in Windows environment allows
  easy efficient browsing as well as other
  interface features
• Facilitate updates made directly on the database
• Batch processes (administrative data)
• Elimination of feedback tool
• Access to historical snapshots (in replacement of
  the Time Travel concept)
• Notifications sent to frame specialists for cases
  which require review (e.g., incomplete update,
  updates on critical businesses)

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Changes Applications
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Changes - Operations

• Training Plan
• Customized for
• Collection personnel
• Staff of subject matter divisions
• BR employees
• MIS
• Detailed reports on the different operations
  performed by users
• Able to support our strategic choices
• React quickly to actions/processes that might
  negatively affect the database
• Reorganisation of the work
• Implementation of Quality Evaluation program

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Conclusions

• Simpler
• Concepts
• Procedures
• Systems
• Accessible user friendly
• Integrated with other major survey systems
• Timely (quicker updates)
• Improved from a respondent communication
  perspective