2018EndtoEndCensusTest_Operational Assessment Study Plan Template

2018EndtoEndCensusTest_2020Census_OperationalAssessmentStudyPlanTemplate.docx

2018 End-to-End Census Test – Peak Operations

2018EndtoEndCensusTest_Operational Assessment Study Plan Template

OMB: 0607-0999

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Study Plan for the <<”2018 End to End Census Test” or “2020 Census”>

< “Operation Name”>> Operational Assessment


<<Name of the sponsoring Integrated Project Team>>


<<Project Manager’s Name>>


<<Author Name(s), Division or Office Names(s)>>






<<Date>>

<<Version #.#>>















Template for 2018 End-to-End Census Test or 2020 Census

Operational Assessment Study Plans
May 19, 2017 Version 1.3




  1. Introduction


<<Describe the 2020 Census Operation including purpose and goals. A summary possibly could be lifted from the Detailed Operational Plan>>


<<Incorporate the text, below, in all 2018 End-to-End Census Test study plan introductions>>


The 2018 End-to-End Census Test is an important opportunity for the Census Bureau to ensure an accurate count of the nation’s increasingly diverse and rapidly growing population. It is the first opportunity to apply much of what has been learned from census tests conducted throughout the decade in preparation for the nation’s once-a-decade population census. The 2018 End-to-End Census Test will be held in three locations, covering more than 700,000 housing units: Pierce County, Washington; Providence, Rhode Island; and the Bluefield-Beckley-Oak Hill, West Virginia area.”


The 2018 End-to-End Census Test will be a dress rehearsal for most of the 2020 Census operations, procedures, systems, and field infrastructure to ensure there is proper integration and conformance with functional and non-functional requirements. The test also will produce a prototypes of geographic and data products. Note that the 2018 End-to-End Census Test results are based on three sites that were purposely selected and cannot be generalized to the entire United States.”


This study plan documents how the <<operation name>> will be assessed, as guided by questions to be answered.


  1. Background


State what has happened in past censuses and tests related to this operation. Focus on results from the 2010 Census and the 2012-2017 Research and Testing endeavors. Illustrate the significant results and lessons learned of each and how they were bridged, or accounted for, in the subsequent test or ultimately to the 2020 Census.


In consideration of the four innovation areas for 2020, add background on whether and how this operational assessment it tied to innovations under implementation.


  1. Assumptions


State relevant assumptions, including those specific to data used and cost estimates, when applicable, if decisions have yet to be made about some operational component.


  1. Scope of Assessment Content and Questions-To-Be-Answered


Summarize the high-level project workflow, by leveraging the operational Business Process Model where applicable.


For 2018 End to End Census Test assessments, summarize how the operation will be assessed for 2020 Census operational readiness by indicating what the key measures are.


Referencing the Operational Assessment Content Guidelines for the 2018 End-to-End Census Test and the 2020 Census (go to the EAE IPT Resource Site), summarize the topics that will be included in the assessment report. Establish a separate section heading for each type of content the assessment will include. Since the nature of operations varies, the content of what’s to be reported for each operation will also vary. For example, where the assessment for the Forms Printing and Distribution operation may include lessons learned and planned versus actual variance analyses on budget, workload, and schedule, other operations will have additional content. As an example, the Nonresponse Followup assessment would also include, in the least, staffing ratios, training, enumerator productivity rates, debriefings, etcetera. In the least, all operations should have lessons learned.


IPTs that own open Census Knowledge Management recommendations for the given operation (from the 2010 Census and/or 2012-2017 Research & Testing efforts) must document the action plans on how the recommendations will be addressed.


State the questions to be answered that the operational assessment addresses. Include the overall major questions. Break down the overall questions into smaller questions as applicable.


  1. Methodology


Describe the quantitative and/or qualitative methods used to address the questions. Quantitative data involve numbers and specific measurements. For operational assessments, a quantitative method would include the generation of basic frequency distribution tables along with explanations, but with no analysis. Another method for operational assessments would involve explanation of budget, workload, or schedule variances between what was planned versus what actually happened.


Qualitative data involve words and transcripts. Qualitative methods of data collections may include focus groups, debriefings, observations, case studies, and lessons learned, which serves as a significant methodology for operational assessments.


  • Describe what data will be used at a high level and how the data will be used.

    • Data required to answer the questions

    • Sources of data

    • Time of data availability

    • Potential limitations/constraints of data

  • Describe how data analysis, if applicable, will be performed

  • Describe general requirements (e.g., operational requirements, procedural requirements, etc.)


  1. Risks/Limitations


Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) 2013 defines risk as an uncertain event or condition that, if it occurs, has a positive or negative effect on a project objective. Are there any risks associated with the successful completion of the operational assessment?


For limitations, discuss confounding factors that require a statement qualifying the results. As an example when using administrative records in the conduct of an operation, use of the linked data may be subject to various errors.

  1. Measures of Success


Document the criteria that will be used to define successful completion of the operation.


Types of success measures include:


Process Measures – that indicate how well the process works, typically including measures related to completion dates, rates, and productivity rates.


Cost Measures – that drive the cost of the operation and comparisons of actual costs to planned budgets.


Quality Measures – of the quality of the results of the operation, typically including things such as rework rates, error rates, and coverage rates.


  • Field Productivity Measures – that indicate degree of lister or enumerator efficiency as measured by productivity rates against expectations.


  • Data Quality-Cost Tradeoff Measures – that indicate optimal tradeoffs between data quality and cost involved in the operation, when applicable. This type of measure is not applicable to the 2018 End to End Census Test operations.


  • Other measures that are unique to the operation.



  1. Division Responsibilities


A list of participating divisions, offices, and/or contractors involved with the development of the operational assessment, along with the tasks for which they are responsible.



  1. Milestone Schedule (include the month/day/year of milestone activities, if known)


Below are the standard schedule activities for the development of the study plan and operational assessment report. Regard those highlighted in bold block-face as the key milestone activities. Definitions of acronyms are noted in the glossary section.


Activity ID

Activity Name

Orig Duration

Start

Finish

<<operation name>> Assessment Study Plan


First Draft

 

 

 

 

 

Prepare First Draft of <<operation name>> Assessment Study Plan


 

 

 

 

Distribute First Draft of <<operation name>> Assessment Study Plan to the Assessment Sponsoring DCMD ADC and Other Reviewers



 

 

 

Incorporate DCMD ADC and Other Comments to <<operation name>> Assessment Study Plan



 

 

Initial Draft

 

 

 

 

 

Prepare Initial Draft <<operation name>> Assessment Study Plan


 

 

 

 

Distribute Initial Draft <<operation name>> Assessment Study Plan to Evaluations & Experiments Coordination Brach (EXC)


 


 

 

 

EXC Distributes Initial Draft <<operation name>> Assessment Study Plan to the DROM Working Group for Electronic Review



 

 

 

Receive Comments from the DROM Working Group on the Initial Draft <<operation name>> Assessment Study Plan


 

 

 


Schedule the <<operation name>> Study Plan for the IPT Lead to Meet with the DROM Working Group






 

Discuss DROM Comments on Initial Draft <<operation name>> Assessment Study Plan



 

 

Final Draft

 

 

 

 

 

Prepare Final Draft of <<operation name>> Assessment Study Plan


 

 

 

 

Distribute Final Draft of <<operation name>> Assessment Study Plan to the DPMO and the EXC



 

 

 

Schedule and Discuss Final Draft <<operation name>> Assessment Study Plan with the 2020 PMGB


 

 

 

 

Incorporate 2020 PMGB Comments for <<operation name>> Assessment Study Plan



 

 

 

Prepare FINAL <<operation name>> Assessment Study Plan



 

 

 

Distribute FINAL <<operation name>> Assessment Study Plan to the EXC


 

 

 

 

EXC Staff Distributes the <<operation name>> Assessment Study Plan and 2020 Memorandum to the DCCO

 


 

 

 

DCCO Staff Process the Draft 2020 Memorandum and the <<operation name>> Assessment Study Plan to Obtain Clearances (DCMD Chief, Assistant Director, and Associate Director)

 

 

 

 

 

DCCO Staff Formally Release the <<operation name>> Assessment Study Plan in the 2020 Memorandum Series



 

 

<<operation name>> Assessment Report


First Draft of Assessment Report



Receive, Verify, and Validate <<operation name>> Assessment Data






Examine Results and Conduct Analysis





 

Prepare First Draft of <<operation name>> Assessment Report

 

 

 

 

 

Distribute First Draft of <<operation name>> Assessment Report to the Assessment Sponsoring DCMD ADC and Other Reviewers

 


 

 

 

Incorporate DCMD ADC and Other Comments <<operation name>> Assessment Report

 

 

 

 

Initial Draft of Assessment Report

 

Prepare Initial Draft <<operation name>> Assessment Report

 


 

 

 

Distribute Initial Draft <<operation name>> Assessment Report to Evaluations & Experiments Coordination Br. (EXC)

 


 

 

 

EXC Distributes Initial Draft <<operation name>> Assessment Report to the DROM Working Group for Electronic Review

 


 

 

 

Receive Comments from the DROM Working Group on the Initial Draft <<operation name>> Assessment Report

 


 

 


Schedule the <<operation name>> Report for the IPT Lead to Meet with the DROM Working Group





 

Discuss DROM Comments on Initial Draft <<operation name>> Assessment Report

 


 

 

Final Draft of Assessment Report

 

Prepare Final Draft of <<operation name>> Assessment Report

 

 

 

 

 

Distribute Final Draft of <<operation name>> Assessment Report to the DPMO and the EXC

 


 

 

 

Schedule and Discuss Final Draft <<operation name>> Assessment Report with the 2020 PMGB

 

 

 

 

 

Incorporate 2020 PMGB Comments for <<operation name>> Assessment Report

 

 

 


 

 

Final Assessment Report

 

Prepare FINAL <<operation name>> Assessment Report

 


 

 

 

Deliver FINAL <<operation name>> Assessment Report to the EXC

 


 

 

 

EXC Staff Distribute the FINAL <<operation name>> Report and 2020 Memorandum to the DCCO

 


 

 

 

DCCO Staff Process the Draft 2020 Memorandum and the FINAL <<operation name>> Report to Obtain Clearances (DCMD Chief, Assistant Director, and Associate Director)

 

 

 

 

 

DCCO Staff Formally Release the FINAL <<operation name>> Report in the 2020 Memorandum Series



 

 

 

EXC Staff Capture Recommendations of the FINAL <<operation name>> Report in the Census Knowledge Management SharePoint Application


 ​

 

 



  1. Issues That Need to be Resolved


<<Remove section altogether if there are no issues to be resolved.>>


  1. Review/Approval Table


Role

Electronic Signature

Date

Fact Checker or independent verifier



Author’s Division Chief (or designee)



DCMD ADC



DROM DCMD co-executive sponsor (or designee)



DROM DSSD co-executive sponsor (or designee)



Associate Director for R&M (or designee)



Associate Director for Decennial Census Programs (or designee)



2020 PMGB





  1. Document Revision and Version Control History


VERSION/EDITOR

DATE

REVISION DESCRIPTION

EAE IPT CHAIR APPROVAL

v. 1.0/Erin Love

12/08/2016

Final draft

Randall Neugebauer

v.1.2/Randall Neugebauer

04/27/2017

Revisions from a DROM working group review


v.1.3/Randall Neugebauer/Miranda Chung

05/19/2017

Revisions from Maryann Chapin’s review




  1. Glossary of Acronyms


Acronym

Definition

ADC

Assistant Division Chief

DCCO

Decennial Census Communications Office

DPMO

Decennial Program Management Office

DROM

Decennial Research Objectives and Methods Working Group

DSSD

Decennial Statistical Studies Division

EXC

Evaluations & Experiments Coordination Branch

IPT

Integrated Project Team

PMGB

Portfolio Management Governance Board

R&M

Research & Methodology Directorate



  1. References

<<Use The Gregg Reference Manual: A Manual of Style, Grammar, Usage, and Formatting, by William A. Sabin, as a style guide.>>


File Typeapplication/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document
Authordouglass Abramson
File Modified0000-00-00
File Created2021-01-22

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