Changes for page Guidelines for SDMX Data Structure Definitions
Last modified by Artur K. on 2026/05/29 14:28
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... ... @@ -325,22 +325,36 @@ 325 325 326 326 **Table 7. Data structuring approaches by level of data exchange** 327 327 328 -|(% colspan="1" rowspan="2" %)**Level of data exchange**|(% colspan="4" rowspan="1" %)**Data structuring approach** 329 -|**one DSD**|(% colspan="2" %)**master + satellite DSDs**|**multiple, indep. DSDs** 328 +|**Level of data exchange**|**Data structuring approa one DSD**|(% colspan="2" %)((( 329 +**ch** 330 + 331 +**master + satellite DSDs** 332 +)))|**multiple, indep. DSDs** 330 330 |**within organization**|((( 331 -best for single-domain, single-purpose can be created on the fly from structured databases 334 +best for single-domain, single-purpose can be created on the 335 + 336 +fly from structured databases 332 332 )))|(% colspan="2" %)use if harmonization is important in covered domains or purposes or if such a set of DSDs is already available at international level|easier to do than master + satellite approach each domain/purpose can maintain DSDs independently can be created on the fly from structured databases 333 333 |**between national organizations**|(% colspan="4" %)the same applies as to the “within organization” scenario 339 +|**Level of data exchange**|(% colspan="3" %)((( 340 +**Data structuring approach** 341 + 342 +**one DSD master + satellite DSDs** 343 +)))|**multiple, indep. DSDs** 334 334 |**between int. organization and national organizations**|(% colspan="2" %)best for single domain, single purpose scenarios that are usually rather restricted with very clear specification of what needs to be exchanged|preferable over multiDSD approach in case of multi-domain and/or multi-purpose scenarios with highly correlated data flows for maintenance reasons|((( 335 -for multi-domain and/or multipurpose scenarios; only recommended if overlap of domains/purposes is minor (e.g. just w.r.t. cross-domain concepts) equivalent to multiple “one DSD” solutions, one for each domain / purpose 345 +for multi-domain and/or multipurpose scenarios; only recommended if overlap of domains/purposes is minor (e.g. just w.r.t. cross-domain concepts) 346 + 347 +equivalent to multiple “one DSD” solutions, one for each domain / purpose 336 336 ))) 337 337 |**between international organizations**|(% colspan="3" %)comparable to “national to international” scenario| 338 338 |**dissemination to public**|(% colspan="2" %)for single-domain, single-purpose cases in more complex cases this may be the preferable approach for data discovery tools (one data structure to find and access all data)|(% colspan="2" %)((( 339 339 in multi-purpose or –domain scenarios: 340 340 341 -* if it is relevant for the public to see the relationship between the data structures: use master + satellites approach 342 -* otherwise the multi-DSD option is preferable, although with the highest possible degree of re-use of code lists and concepts 343 -* in both cases: important to include only concepts, code lists, and codes actually available / used by the data 353 +if it is relevant for the public to see the relationship between the data structures: use master + satellites approach 354 + 355 +otherwise the multi-DSD option is preferable, although with the highest possible degree of re-use of code lists and concepts 356 + 357 +in both cases: important to include only concepts, code lists, and codes actually available / used by the data 344 344 ))) 345 345 346 346 In general, finding the “perfect” data structure is less important for bilateral data exchange. Independent, custom-tailored DSDs may do the job quite well, as harmonization and standardization are typically not of high importance. If the data exchange is just a part of a more comprehensive scenario (e.g. multi-purpose, multi-domain, gateway, or data-sharing scenarios), a master DSD with satellite DSDs is preferable. ... ... @@ -349,17 +349,20 @@ 349 349 350 350 **Table 8. Data structuring approaches by role in data exchange** 351 351 352 -| (% style="width:216px" %)**Role in data exchange**|(% style="width:1399px" %)**One DSD vs. master + satellite DSDs vs. multiple, indep. DSDs**353 -| (% style="width:216px" %)**Data provider**|(% style="width:1399px" %)It is easier to set up a data submission process against a single DSD (= less initial costs) than against multiple DSDs.354 -| (% style="width:216px" %)**Data collector**|(% style="width:1399px" %)(((366 +|**Role in data exchange**|**One DSD vs. master + satellite DSDs vs. multiple, indep. DSDs** 367 +|**Data provider**|It is easier to set up a data submission process against a single DSD (= less initial costs) than against multiple DSDs. 368 +|**Data collector**|((( 355 355 Data validation is easier with DSDs that only cover what needs to be collected. This is achieved via constraints in the master + satellites approach or via tailor-made independent DSDs. If a single DSD is used in a multi-domain or –purpose scenario, necessary constraints can be specified in the data flow definition or data provision agreement. 370 + 356 356 Further processing of collected data is more flexible and easier if relations are transparent and code lists are shared as in the one DSD or master + satellite DSDs approaches. The “shared context” created through the master DSD increases harmonization and standardization and this way facilitates combined usage of data. 357 357 ))) 358 -|(% style="width:216px" %)**DSD maintenance**|(% style="width:1399px" %)((( 373 +|**Role in data exchange**|**One DSD vs. master + satellite DSDs vs. multiple, indep. DSDs** 374 +|**DSD maintenance**|((( 359 359 The complexity and initial costs for developing and maintaining master + satellite DSDs are higher than for independent DSDs as this involves managing constraints and managing impacts of changes in shared code lists to all DSDs. 376 + 360 360 In the multiple independent DSDs approach, development and maintenance efforts may be distributed. This can be seen as an advantage, but on the other hand requires coordination in case the DSDs are only partially independent (i.e. share some code lists). 361 361 ))) 362 -| (% style="width:216px" %)**End user (“the public”)**|(% style="width:1399px" %)For data discovery and retrieval the user needs to know what data is actually available (instead of what might be collected/disseminated with a certain data structure). This means that the potential sparseness should be hidden from the user. A reduced DSD derived from the data structure used in the background is more useful in most cases. Whether this is done via one DSD and constraints, master + satellite DSDs, or independent DSDs does not matter that much for the user.379 +|**End user (“the public”)**|For data discovery and retrieval the user needs to know what data is actually available (instead of what might be collected/disseminated with a certain data structure). This means that the potential sparseness should be hidden from the user. A reduced DSD derived from the data structure used in the background is more useful in most cases. Whether this is done via one DSD and constraints, master + satellite DSDs, or independent DSDs does not matter that much for the user. 363 363 364 364 = 5 MINIMUM STRUCTURAL AND SEMANTIC REQUIREMENTS = 365 365 ... ... @@ -389,19 +389,19 @@ 389 389 390 390 **Table 9. Minimum requirements for DSDs~*~*** 391 391 392 -| (% style="width:205px" %)**Question**|(% style="width:272px" %)**Concept**|(% style="width:178px" %)**COG**|(% style="width:270px" %)**Code list**|(% style="width:690px" %)**Time series Cross-section**393 -| (% style="width:205px" %)Where?|(% style="width:272px" %)reference area|(% style="width:178px" %)X|(% style="width:270px" %)revision|(% style="width:690px" %)mand. attribute or dimension394 -| (% style="width:205px" %)What?|(% style="width:272px" %)“indicator”|(% style="width:178px" %)-|(% style="width:270px" %)domain|(% style="width:690px" %)one or multiple dimensions395 -| (% style="width:205px" %)How?|(% style="width:272px" %)unit of measure|(% style="width:178px" %)X|(% style="width:270px" %)development|(% style="width:690px" %)mand. attribute or dimension396 -| (% style="width:205px" %)How?|(% style="width:272px" %)unit multiplier|(% style="width:178px" %)X|(% style="width:270px" %)available|(% style="width:690px" %)mandatory attribute397 -| (% style="width:205px" %)How?|(% style="width:272px" %)decimals|(% style="width:178px" %)X|(% style="width:270px" %)available|(% style="width:690px" %)mandatory attribute398 -| (% style="width:205px" %)How?|(% style="width:272px" %)//adjustment//|(% style="width:178px" %)X|(% style="width:270px" %)development|(% style="width:690px" %)mand. att. not relevant399 -| (% style="width:205px" %)When?|(% style="width:272px" %)time period|(% style="width:178px" %)X|(% style="width:270px" %)format|(% style="width:690px" %)dimension mand. att.400 -| (% style="width:205px" %)When?|(% style="width:272px" %)time format|(% style="width:178px" %)X|(% style="width:270px" %)available|(% style="width:690px" %)mandatory attribute401 -| (% style="width:205px" %)When?|(% style="width:272px" %)time period – collection|(% style="width:178px" %)X|(% style="width:270px" %)development|(% style="width:690px" %)mand. att. cond. att.402 -| (% style="width:205px" %)When?|(% style="width:272px" %)data update – last update|(% style="width:178px" %)X|(% style="width:270px" %)time stamp|(% style="width:690px" %)mandatory attribute403 -| (% style="width:205px" %)How often?|(% style="width:272px" %)//frequency//|(% style="width:178px" %)X|(% style="width:270px" %)available|(% style="width:690px" %)mand. att. or not relevant404 -|(% colspan="2" style="width:477px"%)How much? observation value|(% style="width:178px" %)-|(% style="width:270px" %)numeric|(% style="width:690px" %)dimension measure409 +|**Question**|**Concept**|**COG**|**Code list**|**Time series Cross-section** 410 +|Where?|reference area|X|revision|mand. attribute or dimension 411 +|What?|“indicator”|-|domain|one or multiple dimensions 412 +|How?|unit of measure|X|development|mand. attribute or dimension 413 +|How?|unit multiplier|X|available|mandatory attribute 414 +|How?|decimals|X|available|mandatory attribute 415 +|How?|//adjustment//|X|development|mand. att. not relevant 416 +|When?|time period|X|format|dimension mand. att. 417 +|When?|time format|X|available|mandatory attribute 418 +|When?|time period – collection|X|development|mand. att. cond. att. 419 +|When?|data update – last update|X|time stamp|mandatory attribute 420 +|How often?|//frequency//|X|available|mand. att. or not relevant 421 +|(% colspan="2" %)How much? observation value|-|numeric|dimension measure 405 405 406 406 ~*~*Concepts in //italics// are only relevant for time series DSDs. An “X” in the COG column means the concept is defined in the COG. Code list “development” means that the SWG will develop a code list to be recommended in the COG; “revision” means that the code list is recommended by the COG and under revision by the SWG; “format” means that a format is defined by another concept; “text”, “time stamp”, and “numeric” provide data types used for uncoded concepts. 407 407 ... ... @@ -409,19 +409,25 @@ 409 409 410 410 **Table 10. Suggested additional concepts for certain scenarios~*~*** 411 411 412 -|**Question**|**Concept**|**COG**|**Code list**|**TS **|**CS**|**Scenario**429 +|**Question**|**Concept**|**COG**|**Code list**|**TS CS**|**Scenario** 413 413 |Who?|compiling agency|X|development|((( 414 -conditional (sibling) 415 -)))|conditional (obs. level)|data provider different from data compiler 431 +conditional conditional 432 + 433 + (sibling) (obs. level) 434 +)))|data provider different from data compiler 416 416 |Who?|((( 417 -confidentiality status – observation 418 -)))|X|available|(% colspan="2" rowspan="1" %)mandatory (obs. level)|except dissemination 419 -|How?|observation status|X|available|(% colspan="2" rowspan="1" %)conditional (obs. level)|except orig. collection 436 +confidentiality 437 + 438 +status – observation 439 +)))|X|available|mandatory (obs. level)|except dissemination 440 +|How?|observation status|X|available|conditional (obs. level)|except orig. collection 420 420 |How much?|((( 421 -//observation pre-break value// 422 -)))|-|numeric|cond. (obs.)|not relevant|except orig. collection 423 -|What and how?|//time series title//|X|text|cond. (TS)|not relevant|dissemination 442 +//observation pre-// 424 424 444 +//break value// 445 +)))|-|numeric|cond. (obs.) not relevant|except orig. collection 446 +|What and how?|//time series title//|X|text|cond. (TS) not relevant|dissemination 447 + 425 425 ~** The legend of Table 9 applies to Table 10 as well. The suggested attachment level of attributes (if any) is provided in parentheses in the TS (time series) or CS (cross-section) columns. In case an attribute does not vary at that level in a certain use case, it should be attached at the highest possible level. 426 426 427 427 == 5.2 Attribute attachment levels and definition of groups == ... ... @@ -443,8 +443,10 @@ 443 443 * //ID//: a unique identifier of the message 444 444 * //Test//: a Boolean attribute that indicates whether the message is for test purposes or not 445 445 * //Prepared//: the date the message was prepared 446 -* //Sender//: the identification of the organization that is transmitting the message (recommended: code from the agency code list in the SDMX COG)469 +* //Sender//: the identification of the organization that is transmitting the message 447 447 471 +(recommended: code from the agency code list in the SDMX COG) 472 + 448 448 From a business perspective, the inclusion of the //Name// element is highly recommended, as it can help to understand the purpose of the exchange message. Other header elements such as //Receiver// are optional. 449 449 450 450 = 6 STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE = ... ... @@ -455,15 +455,13 @@ 455 455 456 456 Figure 1 provides an overview of the overall process. As a first step, the context of the data exchange(s) that should be covered by the DSD(s) is defined in terms of purpose, domains, level of exchange, type of data, type of recipient, role of in data exchange, process pattern, and GSBPM phase (see Figure 2). Since reusing existing artefacts is one of the guiding principles, the second step identifies existing DSDs that may be reused (see Figure 3). In case relevant DSDs are available, their suitability in the present context is evaluated in step 3. Aspects to be taken into account are concept coverage, concept roles, attribute attachment levels, and code lists (see Figure 4). Step 4 is subject to the outcome of step 3. In case of a favorable assessment, the DSDs are simply reused. If the DSDs are partly suitable, modified versions can be derived. See section 2. for a summary of possible DSD modification scenarios. If the DSDs are not suitable or if no relevant DSDs are available at all, new DSDs will be defined as described in section 3. Finally, supporting artefacts such as data flow definitions and data provision agreements are defined (see Figure 5). 457 457 458 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" %) 459 -[[image:1768470533088-795.png]] 460 460 461 461 (% class="wikigeneratedid" id="HFigure1.OverviewoftheDSDdesignprocess" %) 462 462 Figure 1. Overview of the DSD design process 463 463 487 + 464 464 Figure 2 summarizes the characteristics of the data exchange context that is defined in step 1. These characteristics affect the decision on the data structuring approach that is part of the process of defining the concepts of a new DSD (step 4.3. in Figure 1; see Figure 7 in section 2.). 465 465 466 -[[image:1768470575978-226.png]] 467 467 468 468 (% class="wikigeneratedid" id="HFigure2.Characteristicsofdataexchangecontext" %) 469 469 Figure 2. Characteristics of data exchange context ... ... @@ -470,23 +470,20 @@ 470 470 471 471 Figure 3 recaps the priorities given to different types of existing DSDs when searching for candidates for reuse in step 2. Global DSDs maintained by the SDMX consortium are ranked the highest. They can be found via the Global SDMX Registry. 472 472 473 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" %) 474 -[[image:1768470596130-305.png]] 475 475 476 476 (% class="wikigeneratedid" id="HFigure3.PriorityrankingofexistingDSDsforreuse" %) 477 477 Figure 3. Priority ranking of existing DSDs for reuse 478 478 500 + 479 479 Figure 4 summarizes the aspects to be considered in the assessment of the suitability of existing DSDs in step 3. For a detailed description of the cases of partial unsuitability see section 2.1. above. 480 480 481 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" %) 482 -[[image:1768470626558-321.png]] 483 483 484 484 (% class="wikigeneratedid" id="HFigure4.AspectsofDSDsuitability" %) 485 485 Figure 4. Aspects of DSD suitability 486 486 507 + 487 487 Figure 5 lists the most relevant artefacts required in addition to a DSD, its concept scheme, and code lists. 488 488 489 -[[image:1768470646456-652.png]] 490 490 491 491 Figure 5. Supporting artefacts 492 492 ... ... @@ -494,10 +494,8 @@ 494 494 495 495 Figure 6 briefly recapitulates the actions that can be taken to overcome partial unsuitability of DSDs. As far as possible, existing artefacts should be reused in this case. This means that even if a DSD cannot be reused as a whole, concepts and code lists from that DSD can be included in the new DSD by reference. 496 496 497 - [[image:1768470678965-391.png]]517 +**Figure 6. DSD modification scenarios** 498 498 499 -Figure 6. DSD modification scenarios 500 - 501 501 == 6.3 Defining new DSDs == 502 502 503 503 In case no (suitable) DSD is available, the actual process of specifying a new DSD is started. Figure 7 depicts this process (step 4.3. in Figure 1). It encompasses the specification of concepts, code lists, and data formats. All three specification steps include the identification of already existing artefacts that could be reused or modified to satisfy the requirements at hand and the definition of new artefacts in case no suitable artefacts are detected. Several iterations of steps 1 (specification of concepts; see Figure 8) and 2 (specification of code lists; see Figure°13) may be necessary, including revisions of the decision concerning the data structuring approach. Finally all artefacts defined in the previous steps are put together into a DSD.
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