Eurostat Methodological Network: Skills Mapping for a Collaborative Statistical Office

Abstract

Collaboration, interaction and exchange of knowledge among staff are important components for development and enriching of the scientific intelligence within a statistical office. Eurostat methodological network has been built as a skills mapping tool aiming identify in-house competencies for innovation and affordability of diffusion of knowledge, promotion of collaboration on methodological issues, and processes within statistical office. In this exercise we mainly focus on staff knowledge and working and academic experience on statistics and econometrics. Quantitative network analysis metrics are used to measure the strengths of methodological competencies within Eurostat, to identify groups of people for collaboration in providing results on specific tasks, or characterise areas that are not fully integrated into methodological network. By combining network visualisation and quantitative analysis, we able easily assess competency level for each dimension of interest. Network analysis helps us in making decisions related to improvement of staff communication and collaboration, by building mechanisms for information flows, filling competency gaps. Data represented as mathematical graph makes readily visible general view, absorbs its structure, permits us to focus on persons, competencies and relations between them. Modernisation of ways of working leads to a more cost effective use of resources.