Technical Advisory Group

The role of the Technical Advisory Group  (TAG) is to resolve technical issues related to the conceptual integrity and methodological adequacy of the ICP. It carries out two main functions:

• Advice.  The TAG advises on issues involving the standards, methods and procedures required by the program. These may arise because of disagreements between participants, ambiguities in the procedures and guidelines, or unforeseen circumstances. It provides advice upon request from the Executive Board or the Global Manager.
• Research.  The TAG may propose research or analysis that it believes is necessary for the ICP to continue evolving amid changing circumstances and providing better answers.

Requests for technical advice coming from regional coordinators will be forwarded to the TAG through the Global Manager. To ensure coordination and consistency in technical issues, all requests to and communications from TAG will be sent through the Global Manager.

The Advisory Group will review the issues presented to them and take one of several actions.

• Resolve the issue and submit their recommendation to the Global Office
• Assign a member to do a more in-depth review of the issue and provide recommendations to the full membership
• Recommend to the Global Office a research proposal for additional work to resolve the issue.

Meetings.  The Technical Advisory Group meets physically as the need arises. Further discussions and follow-up meetings are conducted through an electronic discussion forum.

Members.  The nine members are internationally known experts. They represent international organizations, national statistical agencies and premier learning institutions.