Abstract
ADP Strategic Planning in a national statistical agency is concerned with determining the fundamental technological base for the agency and the provision of certain essential characteristics. The nature of the technological base will depend on analysis of data management, functions, data/function relationships, access and evolution. Taken together, analysis of these five aspects should enable the agency to answer the most fundamental questions about the nature and distribution of its data, who needs access, from where and for what purposes. Hence the combinations of data, functions and access needed to fulfil the role of the agency can be determined. It is also necessary, in the rapidly changing world of computing technology and techniques to retain the ability of the agency to evolve without too much disruption.
The essential characteristics to be provided include performance, user acceptability, organisational support and an approach to applications design which is consistent with the fundamental structure of the technological base.
The emergence of the micro-computer needs to be recognised as a significant strategic force in the provision of computing services more suited to users needs but caution and sound judgement are needed to ensure appropriate, cost-effective use of these devices.
The role of ADP Strategic Planning as an integral part of wider corporate planning must be recognised.
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