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A: DevInfo is a database
system that provides a method to organize, store
and display data in a uniform format to
facilitate data sharing at the country level across
government departments and UN agencies using the
same system. DevInfo has been adapted from
UNICEF ChildInfo database technology. DevInfo is
an integrated desktop and web-enabled tool to
assist countries in their reporting on the MDGs.
It has simple and user-friendly features that
can be used to produce tables, graphs and maps
for inclusion in MDG reports, presentations and
advocacy materials. The software supports both
standard and user-defined indicators. The
standard set of indicators (the 48 MDG
indicators) are at the core of the package and
cannot be modified. However, at the regional and
country levels, database administrators still
have the option to add their own sets of local
indicators to their databases.
A: You can
obtain a copy by contacting the DevInfo Global
Administrator. See Contacts for details.
A: In the context of the
MDG working group, a small sub-group had been
looking into the issue of a standard software
package for monitoring MDGs. In November 2002,
the UNICEF Executive Director offered to the
Secretary General to provide a software package
to support the organization and display of data
for monitoring goals for use by UN Country Teams
and National governments. This package would be
a modified and enhanced version of the ChildInfo
package then being used by UNICEF. The new
system would be called DevInfo. The MDG Working
Group recommended that this offer be accepted,
and the UNDG Programme Group subsequently
endorsed this.
A: DevInfo
will contribute to setting universal standards
for data storage, access and dissemination of
human development indicators, specifically the
MDGs. The long-term vision for DevInfo is for
the system to make a major contribution to
strengthening the processes at country level for
the use of data for monitoring, planning and
advocacy.
A: Yes. DevInfo provides a
module that allows, within certain limits, the
customization of the system to country-specific
requirements, including the name of the system,
images, graphics, logos and colour scheme. A
second module allows for all language elements
of the system to be customized. This module also
provides support for local languages.
A: DevInfo has a feature
which allows the user to generate data reports,
including those needed for MDG reports. DevInfo
provides simple facilities for querying the
database and producing tables, graphs and maps
for inclusion in MDG reports and exporting these
to Word/Excel/PowerPoint.
A: DevInfo does
not attempt to supplant or replace existing
efforts: well-established UN and non-UN
initiatives at the global, regional and country
level, including specific thematic (sectoral)
initiatives for monitoring individual goals or
topics. DevInfo's specific purpose and
added value is to collect existing data,
identify gaps in the MDG indicators if they
exist and provide a consolidated source of data
on the MDG indicators. It is also designed to
make it easy for national entities to use the
integrated database for advocacy with key
decision-makers.
Typically, users would
include:
. UN country teams
. National
statistical offices
. Government
departments
. Planning ministries
.
District planners
. Media (to report and
track human development data)
. Educational
institutions (for data analysis and to help
children have access to the data)
. DevInfo
administrators (would use the more advanced
database administration modules to customize the
system, add data, etc.)
A: The DevInfo source code is
the property of UNICEF.
DevInfo can be used
by anyone who has the software. UNICEF has
absolutely no restrictions on the database and
its use; in fact, drawing upon its mission
statement, UNICEF has obligations to advocate,
mobilize resources and work with all UN
agencies, governments and partners to ensure the
realization of child rights. Information
sharing/dissemination and encouraging partners
to use the information is one of the best ways
to carry out this mission. At the country level,
UNICEF office(s) and its UN partners will have
the right to freely distribute DevInfo.
A:
. Assess
data and monitoring needs
. Identify UNCT
focal points
. Identify government focal
points
. Work planning
. Data inventory
for sources of data
. Review and analysis of
data quality from available sources
.
Selection of indicators in addition to the
global MDG indicators
. Data collection
.
Data entry and verification
. Database launch
with advocacy materials
. Database user
training
A: DevInfo 6.0 comes
in two separate applications:
1. DevInfo User Application
2. DevInfo Database Administration Application
The DevInfo 6.0 Database Administration application has 12 modules for data management:
.
Template - Database administrators have
the option to add their own sets of local
indicators to their databases. A database
template contains all of the following elements:
indicators, indicator definitions, indicator
sectors, indicator classes, area IDs, area
names, units, subgroups.
. Data
Entry
. Customize - Local
administrators can change the "look" of the
software and adapt it to national
specifications.
. Language - Local
administrators can translate the strings of the
software into local
languages.
. Tools
. Reports
.
Metadata
. Mapping
.
Gallery
. Data Exchange
. EmergencyInfo
. Standards
A:
DevInfo is developed using Microsoft .NET
technology.
A: Microsoft Windows
98, ME, 2000 or XP. Microsoft Office.
A: DevInfo supports
an un-limited number of levels of
geographical coverage: from the global level to
regional, sub-regional, national and
sub-national down to sub-district and village
levels (including schools, health centers, water
points, etc.).
A: Yes.
DevInfo data can be exported to XLS, HTML, PDF,
CSV and XML files.
A: Yes. Data
can be imported from spreadsheets in a
standardized format. DevInfo has a data exchange
module for importing data from industry-standard
statistics software packages.
A:
Yes, the UN system is committed to support
DevInfo through UN Country Teams and the DevInfo
Support Group.
A:
The UN system will support the organization of
global and regional training. This will include
Training of Trainers for further capacity
building. It will also include e-learning
courses.
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