Beyond statistics: Partnership, project management and communication to boost the re-use of MNO data in official statistics

Abstract

Mobile Network Operator (MNO) data represent one of the most promising big data sources for statistical production, thanks to their high temporal and spatial granularity and their potential application across a wide range of domains, including population, mobility, tourism, health, environment, and well-being. In this context, the European ESSnet MNO-MINDS project , involving ten National Statistical Institutes (NSIs), developed a shared methodological frame to support the re-use of MNO data in official statistics. While the primary objective of the MNO-MINDS project was methodological, its implementation also provided a unique opportunity to examine the organisational conditions required to successfully deliver innovation in complex, multi-partner statistical initiatives. Building on this experience, the article explores the organisational dimensions of statistical innovation, focusing on the governance, project management, and communication arrangements that facilitated collaboration among multiple NSIs and supported the development of methodological solutions based on new data sources. The paper uses the project experience as a basis for proposing a transferable framework for implementing innovative European collaborative projects in official statistics. The framework challenges traditional approaches that treat administrative management and scientific research as separate functions interacting mainly at reporting milestones. Instead, it argues for their integration within a unified coordination structure. The proposed framework is structured around three interconnected pillars: consortium governance, project management, and communication. It aims to strengthen coordination, stakeholder engagement, knowledge sharing, and decision-making processes. The experience gained through MNO-MINDS demonstrates that integrating managerial and scientific functions can significantly enhance the effectiveness, sustainability, and impact of methodological innovation, particularly in contexts characterised by substantial technical, and organisational challenges, such as those associated with the use of new data sources.