Page 406 - Contributed Paper Session (CPS) - Volume 4

CPS2460 Mustafa Dinc et al.
statistical systems. This paper provides a succinct discussion about the
Statistical Performance Index (SPI).

2. Statistical capacity and assessment tools
Statistical capacity is the ability of National Statistical Systems to meet user
needs for relevant and good quality statistics on a timely manner. A well-
functioning statistical system should be able to collect, analyze, and
disseminate high-quality data about its population and economy. Just
producing data, however, is not enough to demonstrate that the statistical
system has the capacity. The indicators, data series and other outputs must
meet the needs of users and must be provided in a form that supports their
widespread use. The data outputs need to be of good quality, published within
a time frame that means the data are still relevant and provided in a format
that users can access and use. It is also important that statistical systems are
open and transparent about their methods and procedures and provide access
to adequate metadata – detailed descriptions of the methods and procedures
used to produce the data. A capable statistical system should also be able to
bring about transformation that is generated and sustained over time from
within.
As an object of study, ‘capacity’ is too broad a concept with many
intangibles and elements that are difficult to measure and often quite
subjective. This fact is also true for the capacity of national statistical systems
that involve different data producing agencies and departments within a given
country. Therefore, it is very difficult to measure statistical capacity directly.
Even though it is quite difficult to measure, and it could be costly, it is
necessary to understand and assess the capacity of national statistical system
to identify weaknesses and strengths and to provide guidance for necessary
interventions.
In the absence of direct measures, certain tools are customized to assess
capacity to for different purposes and audiences. In general, there are four
main drivers to assess capacity:
• To inform the national planning and strategic process that could help
national authorities develop strategic plans for the improvement of
national statistical system. It could provide guidance for improving the
quality and scope of products available to users, identifying priorities
for improvement, and bringing coherence for donor support.
• To inform program/project design and implementation process
focusing on the strengths and weaknesses of the national statistical
systems, their current human resource capacity, infrastructure and
governance arrangements.
• To assess compliance with codes of practice endorsed by relevant
international and/or regional organizations to assure and maintain the

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