What are Pcodes?

Pcode is an abbreviated term for 'Place Code'. Pcodes are similar to zip codes and postal codes and are part of a data management system that provides unique reference codes to thousands of locations in Myanmar. These codes provide a systematic means of linking and exchanging data and analysing relationships between them. Any information that is linked to one location with a pcode can be linked and analysed with any other.

Why are Pcodes useful?

Pcodes resolve the basic issue of what we all call a place. Using place-names as identifyers can easily lead to confusion over spelling, different languages or scripts as well as duplication. If agencies develop individual systems for naming or coding places this makes data sharing extremely difficult and huge amounts of potentially useful information go unshared, are manually re-typed or filed and forgotten. Spatial data standards agreed by all stakeholders provide a single, unified system for referring to locations, allowing the free exchange of data between participating agencies.

What is the role of Pcodes in Myanmar

There are many government departments, UN agencies, donor governments, civic institutions and local and internationational NGOs working in Myanmarr. any are undertaking assessments and surveys and generating data on their activities. Without a system for organising these data it is nearly impossible for data from more than one source to be easily combined. This situation makes strategic decision making and operational cooperation doubly hard. The Pcodes offer a system to bring compatability to these multiple datasets, allowing organisations to continue generating their own data for their own purposes, yet in a format that others can easily make use of.

Why should my agency use Pcodes?

To promote cooperation and information sharing and gain full access to an increasing range of information  available in Pcode format, on such issues as demography, and assistance distribution. This information can help you to plan your own programmes and avoid repeating surveys already done by others. Agencies using the Pcodes for their own data management will be able to combine this information with datasets from other participating organisations.

How can Pcodes be used in my existing databases?

In most cases, adoption of Pcodes requires only the addition of an extra column to your existing databases and spreadsheets. If you need technical support to implement the Pcodes please contact the MIMU.

Other information

- Pcodes cover State/Divisions, Townships, Towns, Wards, Village Tracts and Villages
- Pcodes are currently maintained by the Myanmar Information Management Unit (MIMU)

Sources:

Main Source - General Administration Department (2005), Ministry of Home Affairs denoted as GAD, 2005 in the source column
Field data collection from various organisations initiatives (for villages), denoted as Field in the source column