Archive

This phase manages the archiving of statistical data and metadata and consists of four sub-processes:

• 8.1.Define archive rules – Rules for archiving statistical data and metadata resulting from a statistical business process are determined by this sub-process. The requirement to archive intermediate outputs, such as a sample file, raw data from the collection phase, and results of various stages of the process, and to analyze phases, should also be considered. Archive rules for a specific statistical business process may be fully or partly dependent on the general archiving policy of the statistical organization or, for national organizations, on standards applied across the government sector. The rules should include consideration of the medium, location of the archive, and the requirement for keeping duplicate copies. They should also consider the conditions (if any) under which data and metadata should be disposed of. For at least the first iteration of a statistical business process, this sub-process is logically and strongly linked to Phase 2 – Design.
• 8.2.Manage archive repository – This sub-process manages one or more archive repositories, including databases or physical locations where copies of data or metadata are stored. It includes:
  • Maintaining catalogues of data and metadata archives, with sufficient information to ensure that individual data or metadata sets can be easily retrieved;
  • Testing retrieval processes
  • Periodically checking the integrity of archived data and metadata; and
  • Upgrading software-specific archive formats when software changes.

  This sub-process may cover a specific statistical business process or a group of processes, depending on the degree of standardization within the organization. Ultimately it may be considered to be an over-arching process if organization-wide standards are put in place.

• 8.3.Preserve data and associated metadata – In this sub-process, data and metadata from a specific statistical business process are archived. It includes:
  • Identifying data and metadata for archiving in accordance with the rules defined in 8.1;
  • Formatting those data and metadata for the repository;
  • Loading or transferring data and metadata to the repository;
  • Cataloguing the archived data and metadata; and
  • Verifying that the data and metadata have been successfully archived.
• 8.4.Dispose of data and associated metadata – In this sub-process, data and metadata from a specific statistical business process are disposed of. It includes:
  • Identifying data and metadata for disposal, in accordance with the rules defined in 8.1;
  • Disposing those data and metadata; and
  • Recording the disposal of those data and metadata.