The document discusses considerations for structuring a research service for a parliamentary body. It addresses defining the mission, products/services, organization, processes, infrastructure, strategies, and capabilities needed to effectively support members of parliament and their varying roles and needs. Key aspects that are important to address include understanding the audience, defining the values and goals of the research service, and establishing flexible structures and resources that can adapt to changing needs over time.

1. 24th Annual IFLA Pre-Conference of Library and Research Services for Parliaments Ottawa, 6 to 8 of august, 2008

2. STRUCTURING A Soledad Ferreiro / [email_address] RESEARCH SERVICE

3. Petition from Congress Plan approved Model design / Pilot project for Committees Financial Support Permanent appraisal and upgrade Attitude of exploring alternatives STRUCTURING A RESEARCH SERVICE Issues to Discuss Our Experience

4. Public policy / Legislative process Oversight Constituency Work Grassroots learning Parliamentary Diplomacy Opinion Shaping Issue activation Political education Local concerns in national spotlight Understanding your AUDIENCE Multiple roles and Moods ROLES MISSION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ORGANIZATION PROCESSES INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY STAFF ISSUES CAPABILITIES LEARNED AFRAID Multiple Roles of MPs

5. Who is she/he? A multi-tasked person … with multiple roles ... who lives day-to-day … faced by all sorts of issues … with little time … who needs support ROLES MISSION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ORGANIZATION PROCESSES INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY STAFF ISSUES CAPABILITIES LEARNED AFRAID

6. Understanding your AUDIENCE Multiple roles and moods Surprise! what is this? I need an informed opinion I have to defend my position I need to make a point I have to vote I need to communicate it to my constituency what do I lose or gain? What could I tell the press? I will be on a talk show I am giving a talk Moods ROLES MISSION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ORGANIZATION PROCESSES INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY STAFF ISSUES CAPABILITIES LEARNED AFRAID

7. GETTING STARTED THE MISSION ROLES MISSION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ORGANIZATION PROCESSES INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY STAFF ISSUES CAPABILITIES LEARNED AFRAID

8. A tool to empower MP’s and their communities An instrument for the creation, discovery and exploration of knowledge A social space to enrich their day-to-day activities and concerns Role of area MISSION CUSTOMERS ORGANIZATION INFRASTRUCTURE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES STAFF DEVELOPMENT WHERE WE ARE ROLES MISSION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ORGANIZATION PROCESSES INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY STAFF ISSUES CAPABILITIES LEARNED AFRAID

9. For Whom? and How? ROLES MISSION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ORGANIZATION PROCESSES INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY STAFF ISSUES CAPABILITIES LEARNED AFRAID

10. MPs and their staff Presidents of Senate and Lower House Legislative and Oversight Committees Political Committees District Offices Congress Personnel Net Citizens For whom? ROLES MISSION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ORGANIZATION PROCESSES INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY STAFF ISSUES CAPABILITIES LEARNED AFRAID

11. A Holistic approach that will respond to MPs concerns? (Analysis, references, loans, indications, speeches, press analysis, explanations of laws for citizens and Research) or only Research group … services and products distributed through different channels What and How? ROLES MISSION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ORGANIZATION PROCESSES INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY STAFF ISSUES CAPABILITIES LEARNED AFRAID

12. Confidentiality Opportunity Pertinence Equality of access Objectivity: scenario analysis Quality: research methods, validity property rights respect, multiple and transparent sources used Values ROLES MISSION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ORGANIZATION PROCESSES INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY STAFF ISSUES CAPABILITIES LEARNED AFRAID

13. Provide: Specialized advice and Reports Capabilities for dialogue with the Executive Early warning Raw information Possible roles for a new area MISSION CUSTOMERS ORGANIZATION INFRASTRUCTURE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES STAFF DEVELOPMENT WHERE WE ARE ROLES MISSION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ORGANIZATION PROCESSES INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY STAFF ISSUES CAPABILITIES LEARNED

14. Possible roles for a new area Support for oversight functions Aid for relationships with diverse publics International and national issue context Channel digital network conversations ROLES MISSION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ORGANIZATION PROCESSES INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY STAFF ISSUES CAPABILITIES LEARNED AFRAID

15. SERVICES AND PRODUCTS On demand or supply Oral and /or Written Political Advice, Round Table Discussions Reference descriptive analysis policy evaluation ROLES MISSION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ORGANIZATION PROCESSES INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY STAFF ISSUES CAPABILITIES LEARNED AFRAID

16. SERVICES AND PRODUCTS prospective analysis (future possibilities and/or probable scenarios) directed writing comparative law Macro Regional Trends Public Opinion Trends Country Profile in comparative context District Statistics ROLES MISSION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ORGANIZATION PROCESSES INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY STAFF ISSUES CAPABILITIES LEARNED AFRAID

17. legal scientific economic sociological government SERVICES AND PRODUCTS international political science engineering statistical geographical patterns and trends TYPES OF ANALYSIS ROLES MISSION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ORGANIZATION PROCESSES INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY STAFF ISSUES CAPABILITIES LEARNED AFRAID

18. reports, conferences, face-to-face, maps, graphic presentations, training, getting MP s staff started in facebook, blogs, etc. SERVICES AND PRODUCTS TYPES OF SERVICE online, cell phone, web services, paper, face-to-face, audio CHANNELS OF DISTRIBUTION ROLES MISSION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ORGANIZATION PROCESSES INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY STAFF ISSUES CAPABILITIES LEARNED AFRAID

19. ORGANIZATION Model By Subject, Disciplines, Committees, Services, Products Pros and Cons Roles, responsibilities and requirements What can and cannot be done Analysis of models in other Libraries (benchmarking). Listening Strategy Consultancy ROLES MISSION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ORGANIZATION PROCESSES INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY STAFF ISSUES CAPABILITIES LEARNED AFRAID

20. CUSTOMER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Petition Promise according to negotiated conditions Delivery and Verfication of Satisfaction PROCESSES MAIN QUALITY CONTROL OF SERVICES AND PRODUCTS prior to delivery, work is checked by supervisors ROLES MISSION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ORGANIZATION PROCESSES INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY STAFF ISSUES CAPABILITIES LEARNED AFRAID

21. PROCESSES MAIN RESEARCH WORK Define research question; select sources; find proper analysis; analyze; redact; validate; feed repository; distribute, check experience KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Type of customer, coverage, frequency, types of services/products, periodic reports, and alerts. ROLES MISSION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ORGANIZATION PROCESSES INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY STAFF ISSUES CAPABILITIES LEARNED AFRAID

22. INFRASTRUCTURE Web sources, free information or paid services: full text databases Journals, books, newspapers Repositories: cataloguing and retrieval Physical premises ROLES MISSION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ORGANIZATION PROCESSES INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY STAFF ISSUES CAPABILITIES LEARNED AFRAID

25. ON- GOING, COMPLEX ISSUES How are clients assessed? Partnering with external centers of expertise What are meaningful performance metrics? How to measure service/product impact? ROLES MISSION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ORGANIZATION PROCESSES INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY STAFF ISSUES CAPABILITIES LEARNED AFRAID

26. ANALYTICAL CAPABILITIES TO KEEP MPS UP-TO-DATE & INFORMED National and neighboring country issues Familiarity with new information and communications technologies Openess to social collaborative networks and conversations Strategies for anticipating public policy issues ROLES MISSION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ORGANIZATION PROCESSES INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY STAFF ISSUES CAPABILITIES LEARNED AFRAID

27. LESSONS LEARNED Low profile, Do not rush, Go slowly Let clients know about new services What is good today, might not be tomorrow Trust your experience and intuition Elevator Strategy Door to Door ROLES MISSION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ORGANIZATION PROCESSES INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY STAFF ISSUES CAPABILITIES LEARNED AFRAID