Developing a Strategy:Managing the process

Neil FantomDevelopment Data Group

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Summary

What is a statistical strategic plan?How plans are developed?

ProcessesWhat to look for

Examples: Malawi and Zambia

Part 1: What is a strategic plan for statistics

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Why (user view)?

Mechanism for changeUnderstand work programme and outputsImprove institutional performanceBetter quality national statisticsDefine accountability

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Why (producer view)?

Solicit fundingControl statistical work programmeBetter coordinate national statisticsPromote independence and integrityProduce better and more relevant statistics?

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Structure of statistical systems

National Statistical

Agency

Work Plans, budgets

Ministries, other

producers

Government (and donors, other users)

Work Plans, budgets

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Differentiated approach?

Statistics agency/officeLong term “business” planShort term work plans

Statistical systemFrameworks (regulatory, codes of practice)MethodsCoordination mechanismsProducts

Part 2: Developing a plan

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Strategic planning cycle

Assessment

Vision

Mission

Strategic objectivesActivities, outputs,

indicators

Implementation, monitoring

Evaluation

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Objectives

S pecific M easurableA chievableR elevantT ime bound

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Processes: managing change

Participation is critical: need to ensure ownership and relevanceBaseline: review existing strategies, reportsAssess and prioritize user needs (demand led)

Utilize PRSP process, link to external processesStakeholder consultations

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Institutions

Various ID tools:SWOTPerformance management (objective based management)Statistical Capacity Building IndicatorsSkills auditetc.

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Typical plan content

Current assessmentVision and missionCore valuesStrategic and operational objectivesCapacity building programme, including infrastructure, ITStatistical programmeImplementation mechanisms e.g. annual work plans

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Some include:

Costed work programme May be delegated to annual or medium term plans

National Statistical SystemLegal frameworkLinkages to other stakeholders, including incentives

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Look for…

Assessment of needs – based on demand“Quick wins” – meeting immediate needs e.g.

Analysis of existing dataDissemination of existing data (web, databanks)Catalogue of existing outputs

Difficult areas:Prioritization and steering of activities and inputsRealistic assessment of likely resourcesResource poolingManagement of incentivesConsultation with all stakeholders

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Implementation

Accountability arrangementsPerformance managementStatistical councils, boardsAgency status, semi-autonomy

Work plans and annual reportsIncentives

Budgets and moneyPooled resources

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Managing the process

Usual prerequisiteCommitment to changeChange “agent”

Use of external supportConsultantsBut part of a team: composition is important

Part 3: Examples

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Example 1: Malawi

First Strategic Plan 1996-2000Restricted to NSOBased on needs assessmentGood ownership, but lacked commitmentNot linked with government processes (e.g. budget and MTEF, civil service reform)But supported by donors: some progress made

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Progress made

Better dissemination (web based, news “flashes”, database)Household Survey Programme developed (HIS, CWIQ, DHS)Better Human Resource management:

Training programmes initiated at all levelsImproved recruitment

Consumer Price Index: February, 2003The year on year national inflation rate has registered a slight decrease from 10.7 % in January 2003 to 10.5 % in February 2003. This rate can be decomposed into 11.5 % for urban areas and 10.1 % for rural areas.

The month-on-month (January – February) Food Costs Index has experienced an overall decrease of 3.4 % compared to the same period, which was 3.7 %. The decrease has occurred as a result of the continued decline of the prices of Cereals and Cereal products mainly maize grain and maize flour. The Housing Index has also gone down by 1.4 % compared to 3.5 % recorded at the same period last year.

The price increases recorded for the other commodity groups have varied widely with a high of 5.5 % for the Transport Category and a low of 0.6 % for the Household Operation Category. The high increase recorded for the Transport Category has arisen mainly due to recent increases in the price of fuel, notably petrol and diesel. However, the increase has not been large enough to offset the decreases experienced in the Food Costs Category.

See also: Price indices

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Malawi…

Second strategic plan 2002-2006Similar features to first planDifferent arrangements for implementation:

Semi-autonomyAnnual work plans and reportsLinked with MPRSP and civil service reform process

Identified development of National Statistics “Master Plan” as key activity

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Example 2. Zambia

Covers 2003-3007Led by consultantBased on assessment of user needsLinked with PRSP processUsed workshops with stakeholders and staffImprovements of NSS designed around CSO as main bodyCosted capacity building and work programmes included

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Strategic themes

Malawi1. Produce better

quality statistics2. Enhance the service

provided to users3. Develop a system of

National Statistics4. Realize staff potential5. Improve organization

and management6. Improve financial

planning and control

Zambia1. Improve public

awareness of statistics

2. Develop and promote effective National Statistical System

3. Enhance quality of statistical products and services

4. Harness IT5. Develop human

capacity and organizational effectiveness

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Governance & management

MalawiSemi-autonomousNew ActManagement Board

ZambiaAutonomousNew ActStatistical Policy Board

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Approach to National Statistics

MalawiActivities of other Ministries not included

But want to:Define mandate of NSOImprove National Statistics CommitteeInventoryOpen NSO training programme to other MinistriesPublish FrameworkDevelop standards

ZambiaActivities of other Ministries not included

But want to:Strengthen mandate of CSOBuild capacity of Ministries and usersDevelop framework for collaborationPromote standardization and best practice

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Monitoring

MalawiInternal quarterly and annual reviewsAnnual meetings of National Statistics stakeholdersReports twice a year to the Cabinet SecretaryTerminal external review by Office of President & Cabinet

ZambiaQuarterly and annual reports to the MinisterAnnual and Terminal External Review by MoF/Planning

PARIS21 task team:

“Strategic Statistical Development Plans”

www.paris21.org