Quality Management at Statistics Canada

1. Quality Managementat Statistics Canada Laurie Reedman Quality Secretariat February 2, 2009

2. Essential characteristics of any statistical agency Cost Privacy Confidentiality Impartiality Quality Importance of Quality

3. Our approach to quality It’s everybody’s business Key quality management instruments Quality Assurance Framework Quality Guidelines Quality Secretriat Recent initiatives Outline

4. Quality from a user’s perspective Definition of quality – Fitness-for-use Relevance Timeliness Accuracy Coherence Accessibility Interpretability Managing quality dimensions Quality Assurance Framework

5. Managing Quality – Striking the Right Balance Users Privacy and confidentiality Costs - $$$ Relevance Timeliness Accessibility Accuracy Coherence Interpretability Costs – HR development and well being Costs – Burden on respondents

6. Statistical program fields Social, Institutions and Labour Business and Trade Analysis and Development National Accounts and Analytical Studies Environment Accounts and Statistics Infrastructure fields Communications and Operations Informatics and Methodology Management Services Quality Assurance Framework and the Statistics Canada Fields

7. SeniorManagement Allocating resources Setting and prioritizing demands Planning Feedback and assessment Program Reporting User Liaison Methods and Standards Statistical Programs Infrastructure Programs Users Conducting programs Disseminating information Dissemination

8. Program Reporting – Quadrennial Program Report External Consultation Management risks Financial Performance Supply risks Users Costs - $$$ Confidentiality and Privacy Relevance Quality Assessment Timeliness Accessibility Accuracy Coherence Interpretability Costs – HR development and well being Costs – Burden on respondents Supply risks Management risks HR management

9. Key element of methods and standards system Statistics Canada publication Set of good design and implementation practices at various steps of surveys Input from experts and best practices from the other recent initiatives Revised regularly Quality Guidelines

10. Promote and support the use of sound quality management practices across Statistics Canada Co-ordinate the revision and dissemination of the Quality Guidelines Support the development and implementation of policies and procedures promoting quality management practices Design and manage studies related to quality management Several recent initiatives Quality Secretariat

11. 15 statistical programs in the last two years In-depth review of quality assurance practices Independent internal review Focus on implementation and execution of programs Identify best practices and aspects at risk Report to senior management Input into corporate planning system Quality Reviews

12. Target survey managers and supervisors Self-learning group exercise Discuss and answer over 100 questions on quality assurance practices Input from best practices identified in Quality Reviews Provided an overview of Quality Assurance practices in 80 programs Report and recommendations to senior management Quality Assurance Learning Exercise

13. 1250 texts released in Statistics Canada’s The Daily every year Analysis of corrections made to these texts just before or after release Provide feedback to programs on corrections just before release In-depth investigation of corrections made after release Identify more common root causes Regularly report to Senior Management Analysis of Corrections

14. Everybody’s business A balancing act Not to be taken for granted Something that can always be better Best when shared with others Quality is …

15. For more information: Laurie Reedman Statistics Canada Laurie.Reedman@statcan.gc.ca 613-951-7301 Aussi disponible en français Contact Information