Standardisation and Differentiation in Redesigns Focussing on Redesign Approach, Standard Toolbox and the Introduction of R (case) Frank Hofman

Standardisation and Differentiation in RedesignsFocussing on Redesign Approach, Standard Toolbox and the Introduction of R (case)

Frank Hofman

Standardisation and Differentiation in Redesigns 2

Content

• Context• Standardisation & Differentiation• Redesign Approach & Documents• Standard Toolbox• Case: Introduction new tools – R

• Discussion & Questions


Context

Challenges• Improve efficiency• Improve quality• Lower administrative burden

Measures• Reuse: data, methodology, processes,

IT-systems• Standardisation


Standardisation

• Data Data Service CentreOutput Coordination

• Methodology Methodology Series

• Processes Business ArchitectureGeneric Bus. ServicesStandard Process Steps

• IT Systems IT ArchitectureStandard Toolbox

• Way of working Redesign approachStandard ToolboxRedesign approach

Aspect Means


Differentiation

Aspect Scores• Complexity High Low• Size (fte, change) Large Small• Impact on SN’s image High Low

Large projectLarge project Small projectSmall project


‘Self-supporting’

Differentiation in Standards

Aspect Large projects Small projects• IT Systems Cust.made tools Only Std. toolbox

(+ Std. toolbox)

• Way of working ‘Self-supporting’• Approval Centrally Locally

(division)• Staffing Centrally Locally

(division)• Documentation Full scale Down scaled


Redesign approach (1)

• Aim: support redesign projects• Benefits:

• Projects start up more efficient• Project results better comparable

• Adoption of standards like RUP and Prince• Templates for all documents• Process simular for large and small projects, but

documentation scaled down


Redesign project

TesterDeveloper

BADBusiness

Analysis Doc.

MADMethodologicalAdvisory Doc.

Informationanalyst

SystemDesignSoftware

architect

Businessanalyst

StatisticalDesign

Inf. analysis(Vision, UC’s)

Businessanalyst

Preliminary Investigation

PreliminaryInvestigation

Proj. Brief(Bus.Case)

Projectleader

Metho-dologist

SystemSystem

Development

Redesign approach (2)

• Customers & Suppliers• Steady states• Process

• Methodology

• Software requirements• Detailed specifications

• Technical design

• Actual system• Deployment

• Stakeholders• As-Is & problems• Alternatives

• Costs & benefits

SADSoftware Archi-

tecture Doc.

Software Development

Statistician


Standard Toolbox

• Aim: Offer max. functionality with min. set of tools• Usage:

• Development in small, self-supporting projects• Ad hoc analysis• Methodological research

• Benefits:• Reduce maintenance and license costs• Reduce development costs• Easier integration of tools• Wider knowledge better reliability


Governance of Standard Toolbox

• For each tool:• Clear responsibilities (e.g. functional en technical maintenance)• User support: training, consultancy• Standards & guidelines

• Toolbox: stable, but not fixed Lifecycle management

Status Symbol # Tools Examples Proposed 6 Canceis, Macroview, Surfox Active 16 Argus, Bascula, Blaise, Manipula, R, Ruleburst, SPSS Phase out 2 Abacus, Matlab Prohibited 1 Trilium Refused 0


Case: Introduction of R

Statistical software environment & language• Functionality: flexible, statistical functions and

graphical analyses• Easy, compared to traditional PL’s • For data processing • Open source & worldwide standard• Modularity: packages standard components

What is R?


• Development of production systems by statisticians (self-supporting projects)

• Statistical research: incidental data analysis• R&D tool for methodologists

• In research projects• Development of standard packages

for direct use in production• Exchange with other NSI’s

R at Statistics Netherlands


Support: kennR! (knowR!)

• Training, consulting: [email protected], Wiki • User meetings• Standards:

• Coding standard • Software developement standard

• Deployment of Methodology Series in R


Summary

• Standardisation helps to promote reuse

• Redesign approach helps applying standards

• Standard toolbox for self-supporting projects

• R is powerful statistical tool that also enables development of standard components for use in self-supporting projects


Discussion points

• Standardisation is a necessary condition for further cooperation between NSI’s

• European standardisation:Central development or adoption of local standards

• Experiences with way of working in redesign projects

• Cooperation in development R packages