Overview of IT usage for 2011 Census

1. Overview of IT usage for 2011 Census Paul Woobey - CIO Office for National Statistics Presented at Eurostat ITDG October 2008

2. UK Census 2011 • ONS responsible for Census in England & Wales in 2011 • Processes and systems shared with Northern Ireland Statistical Research Agency (NISRA) • Scotland collecting and processing using separate systems but goal is still for harmonised UK outputs • Public trust issues make security of personal data a critical design focus

3. Sourcing • Multi-sourcing approach • Printing and capture services outsourced • High-volume public interfaces (web, call centre) outsourced • Downstream processing systems in-house with mix of ONS development staff and external partners • ONS IT infrastructure provided by shared services contract (Flex) • Outputs systems provision to-be-decided • Hosting for dissemination to-be-decided

4. Key Design Features in 2011 • Paper Questionnaires • Majority of delivery of forms to be via post-out • Majority of responses as in 2001 will be post-back • Addresses and unique identifier codes will be overprinted on questionnaires using Address Register and Questionnaire Tracking database • State-of-the-art scanning systems

5. Key Design Features in 2011 • Use of IT in the field operation • Provision of networked laptops to Census field team managers • Linked to central Questionnaire Tracking system • Used to update address lists, form statuses and control follow-up exercise • Provision of mobile devices to door-to-door enumerators was considered but discounted on cost grounds

6. Key Design Features in 2011 • Online questionnaires • First mixed-mode Census in the UK • Expectation that 25% or more responses will be via web questionnaire • Massive spikes of usage expected on Census day • Strong emphasis on security and usability • Accessibility for people with disabilities a priority • Respondents get access via 20 character code overprinted on the paper questionnaire • Code authenticated against Questionnaire Tracking database

7. Key Design Features in 2011 • High-volume public interface • Call centre and online-based self-help facilities • Both use same knowledge-base to respond to public • Both linked to Questionnaire Tracking system, for example to support follow-up and requests for additional questionnaires

8. Printing Field HQ Public Interface Paper Capture Web Capture QT Key Design Features in 2011 • Questionnaire Tracking Database • “Hub” of the 2011 design for collection phase

9. Key Design Features in 2011 • Downstream Processing (DSP) • Long chain of processes to apply to data before it can move to Outputs phase • Goal to develop components that can be re-used on other ONS business – for example Process Control • Likely to re-use CANCEIS Edit & Imputation tool from Stats Canada • Technology: • J2EE • Oracle • SAS • CANCEIS • Linux and Windows

10. Key Design Features in 2011 • Outputs • Approach for Outputs under discussion – at strategic stage • Production of tables likely to involve STR SuperCross • Dissemination priority given to web over traditional outputs (paper, CD) • Online tabulation facilities • Dissemination channel flexibility through Internet API access to data (for mashups and value-add clients)

11. 2011 Census Any questions?