Data Integrity in the Production Process of the Doing Business Report - Assurance Review Report

Jul 19, 2026

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The report provides an assurance review focused on data integrity across the end-to-end production process of the Doing Business (DB) Report. It explains the DB Report’s data-intensive pipeline, covering questionnaire design, country survey collection, data processing and coding in the Data Management System (DMS), internal multi-layer reviews, and subsequent external feedback during the Bank Wide Review (BWR). It also summarizes the background and response actions after irregularities were identified in the DB18 and DB20 reports, and states that data irregularities resulted from deficiencies in reporting, including limited escalation of management overrides.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages30

Reading Time1 h 16 min

AccessFree to download

Executive Summary

Assurance Review Snapshot

Background

Overall Conclusion

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized ASSURANCE REVIEW REPORT # Data Integrity in the Production Processof the Doing Business Report DECEMBER 8,2020 REPORT NO.FY21-2-2-2103656 Report on an Assurance Review of Data Integrity in the Production Process of theDoing Business Report Distribution Issued by:Anke D'Angelo,Vice President and Auditor General,GIAVP lnku D'auylo To: Carmen Reinhart,Vice President and Chief Economist,DECVP ## 1.EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Assurance Review Snapshot | Assurance
Review Rating
Issue Ratings | Not Rated | | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | Critical | 1 | Significant | 2 | Moderate | 1 | Minor | 0 | | Management
VPU/Unit DECVP
December 15,2021
Resolution by | | | | | | | | | 1.1 Background The Doing Business(DB)Report is one of the flagship reports published by the Bank annually.In 2019,190 countries were ranked on the ease of doing business in those countries based on41 specific indicators covering 10 topics.Annually,about 490,000 data points roll up into thescoring of the 41 indicators for the 190 countries.The report is data intensive requiring focusedattention on data integrity to maintain the credibility of the report. The Doing Business team(DECDB),reporting to the Indicators Group(DECIG)within theDevelopment Economics Vice Presidency(DECVP),is responsible for: ● methodology development and updates; ·preparation of the questionnaires; ·identification of and correspondence with the respondents; ● input and processing of the data in the Data Management System(DMS); ● internal reviews within DECVP; ● incorporation of feedback from the Bank Wide Review(BWR²);and ● the finalization of the DB report for publication. DECDB is comprised of about 60 staff and consultants headed by a program manager whoreports to the DECIG Director.The roles of the topic leaders,data reviewers and datamanagers,who report to the program manager,are described in Appendix 3.Country Report on an Assurance Review of Data Integrity in the Production Process of theDoing Business Report Management Units help coordinate the interactions with client governments,and the Bank'sPractice Groups provide subject matter expertise,when needed. The life cycle of DB Report production contains the following key steps: ·The production cycle starts with the design of the questionnaires for each of the 10topics; ·The questionnaires are then sent to respondents across all countries that are ranked inthe DB report through the Survey Management System(SMS).The minimum number ofrespondents required from each country is based on the classification of the countriesaccording to defined criteria; ·The responses are then reviewed and updated in DMS,with the data processing(referred to as data coding by the DB team)being approved by the topic leaders,datareviewers and data managers³.This three-layer review is recorded in DMS; · The approved data in DMS is then downloaded and discussed with DECIG SeniorManager⁴and DECIG Director as part of the review meetings.The three-layer review inDMS and the management level review meetings constitute the DEC internal review(refer to Appendix 3 for details); · After the DEC internal review,the data file is downloaded from DMS and shared with thebroader Bank management as part of the BWR; ·During the BWR period,the DB team continues with its own final review of the data;incorporates feedback from an external review for the “Paying Taxes”indicator byPricewaterhouseCoopers;analyzes the feedback from the BWR;and if determinedappropriate by the DB team,the data is updated in DMS and again goes through thethree-layer review;and ·Following the BWR,the final DB Report is published⁵. (See Appendix 2 for the detailed data flow for the entire DB Report production life cycle). In June 2020,the data irregularities in the DB18 and DB20 reports

FAQs

What is the primary objective of this assurance review?

To assess the design adequacy and operating effectiveness of governance, risk management, and controls over data integrity throughout the end-to-end production process of the Doing Business Report.

Which production cycle period does the review cover?

The assurance review covers the production cycle of DB18 through DB21.

What is identified as a key reason behind the data irregularities?

The report notes the absence of a safe speak-up environment to report management override of controls, which contributed to data irregularities.

Jul 19, 2026

Upload by Asher