Outsourcing the 2002 Census in Slovenia

Danilo DolencStatistical Office of the

Republic of Slovenia

Slovenia - some facts 2 million people The most western part of former

Yugoslavia – independent since 1991 Bordering to Austria, Italy, Hungary and

Croatia EU Member State since 1 May 2004 GDP per capita 14.800 EUR (2006)

84 % of EU-25 (based on PPS)

Basics about 2002 Census First Census after independency Carried out under new circumstances

methodological organization financial lack of human resources privacy and confidentiality issues

Starting-points in preparation Register orientation

Maximum use of available data sources Rational use of financial sources

Introducing new technologies Shortening of data processing

No additional employment Even for part time Limited number of SORS employees can be

involved

Two main decisions Combined method of enumeration

Register based (persons)About 10 administrative and statistical sources

have been usedPre-printed questionnaires10 topics entirely taken over (not included in

questionnaire) Complete field enumeration (dwellings,

households, persons – data not available in sources)

OUTSOURCING

Before outsourcing Dilemmas

Is there a conflict of interests between public and private sector

How to ensure privacy and confidentiality How to maintain public trust

What is census outsourcing Three domains

Contracts with suppliers of IT infrastructure and services in preparatory phase – classical cooperation between public and private sector

Novelty - public tenders Organization of field enumeration

Novelty – decentralization of financial management

Data processing – real outsourcing

Choosing a partner Transparency

Public tender announced in June 2001 Complete service

Printing and personalization Distribution and storage Data processing

Selected tender had to provide Complete hardware and software Adequate number of staff

The role of the Statistical Office Determination of basic demands for

data processing Mostly already published in the tender

Methodological support Staff training Monitoring the process

On daily basis

The contract Only two companies competed

Cetis Celje offered lower price First cooperation with SORS Company known by printing passports

Value of contract 1,5 mio EUR (15 % of total budget of 2002

Census) No additional charge, no annex

Some features (1) Printing and personalization

13 mio of A4 pages, 4,5 mio personalized Data editing

Scanning - 4 scanners, 3 months, 4 persons per shift, 2 shifts

Optical photo archive created simultaneously Recognition and verification - 12 PC, 5

months, 12 persons per shift, 2 shifts Including automatic coding

Some features (2) Consistency check

90 % automated Processing on-line without paper 12 PC, 2,5 months, 4 persons per shift, 3

shifts Very short time for the data

processing – 7 months

Managemant Contractor (Cetis)

Project manager (1) IT experts (3)

SORS Project leader (1) Methodological experts (3)

Advantages for the SORS Less burden on SORS staff

more time for methodological work IT experts involved only in data storage

and applications for dissemination no logistic problems no feeling of pressure because of census

No expenditure for once used hardware Transfer of knowledge from contractor

Key factors for sucsess story Fulfillment of very clearly specified

contracting duties Permanent communication and current

solving of arising problems Regular monitoring Trust between partners Great enthusiasm of staff involved

Conclusion Outsourcing was the best solution in

demanding circumstances We maintain public trust – no misuse of

data The same confidentiality rules applied

for regular staff and contractor’s staff Cost efficiency – we estimate we got

the best value for the money invested Our experience is absolutely positive