Exploring Organizational Structures in Survey Infrastructures |
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| Coordinator 1 | Dr Olga Grunwald (NIDI) |
| Coordinator 2 | Dr Roman Auriga (LIfBi) |
The organization of survey infrastructures plays a critical role in shaping the effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of data collection efforts. However, there is no one-size-fits-all model. Each survey infrastructure has unique processes for task division and work distribution, influenced by their history, mission, scale, and operational goals. Understanding these variations is key for fostering collaboration, improving communication, and optimizing workflows across infrastructures.
This session invites presentations from survey infrastructures to share insights into their organizational structures. It will provide a platform for survey professionals to explain how their operations are divided, why they have adopted specific task allocation strategies, and how these structures impact their ability to deliver high-quality data. Speakers are encouraged to reflect on both the benefits and challenges of their organizational models.
Through comparative discussions, the session aims to uncover commonalities and differences in how survey infrastructures approach task bundling, specialization versus generalization, and outsourcing versus in-house operations. Additionally, this session seeks to spotlight infrastructure work as a legitimate and valuable career path in its own right. Often overlooked in favor of more traditional academic roles, infrastructure work encompasses specialized skills and essential contributions to the research process. By understanding and showcasing the diverse roles within survey infrastructures, the session aims to elevate the visibility of infrastructure careers and inspire professionals to see the potential for long-term growth and expertise in this field.
We encourage contributions from survey infrastructures of all sizes and specializations to foster a diverse and enriching dialogue.