SDMX/DDI Expert Advice

Across governments, access to reliable, timely, independent statistical information is vital for assessing policy decisions and reporting on government initiatives. In order to meet these expectations, National Statistical Institutions (and other organisations) around the world, are now considering how to improve the management of the large volumes of complex information they collect and retain so that more and better use can be made of it.

In response to this issue, the Australian Statistician announced a major change program to significantly improve the management of Australia's official statistics. The programs objectives are to improve the usability, value and timeliness of official statistics, and build resilient and sustainable capability for the ABS to deliver services to government, business and the broader community into the future.

The centrepiece of the initiative involves the introduction of a robust information management framework and supporting infrastructure. This includes a Federated Metadata Registry/Repository (MRR) using Data Documentation Initiative v3 (DDI Lifecycle) & Statistical Data and Metadata Exchange v2 plus (SDMX-ML).

The ABS is now looking to engage the services of suitably qualified consultants to assist the bureau to successfully design, build and implement the Metadata Registry/Repository. This includes coaching ABS technical staff in developing designs that apply DDI and SDMX in a manner that maximises the benefits realised.

The successful tenderer will also provide technical advice to the ABS as we seek to ensure
• that the future evolution of the standards supports ABS needs and the needs of the statistical community more generally, and
• that the way the ABS is applying the standards internally (including in projects other than the MRR) realises maximum benefits from the standards and achieves consistency in the way they are used.