# Understanding CRVS

Before considering to build a CRVS system using OpenCRVS it is important to understand the business domain. There is a lot of helpful material that explains what CRVS is and how it should work and this section highlights a number of useful references.

To gain a broader understanding of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) systems and their importance, we recommend the following key resources:

* **World Bank Group / Global CRVS Group – Self-Paced Online Course on CRVS Systems** A foundational course covering the principles, benefits, and design of CRVS systems. Free and available online. 👉 [Take the course on the World Bank Open Learning Campus](https://www.worldbank.org/en/olc/course/34651)
* **(UN) Handbook on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Systems: Management, Operation and Maintenance** An exhaustive reference of administrative arrangements, operational functions, quality, interoperability and digitisation of civil registration and vital statistics systems. 👉 [Download from the UN Stats website](https://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic-social/Standards-and-Methods/files/Handbooks/crvs/crvs-mgt-E.pdf)
* **APAI-CRVS: Africa Programme on Accelerated Improvement of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics** The regional initiative guiding CRVS strengthening across Africa. 👉 [Visit the APAI-CRVS website](https://apai-crvs.uneca.org/)
* **Get Every One in the Picture – CRVS Systems Improvement Framework** A regional CRVS strengthening platform (Asia–Pacific), offering frameworks, assessments, advocacy materials, and eLearning.

  👉 [Visit the Get in the Picture website](https://www.getinthepicture.org/)
* **The Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Digitisation Guidebook (CRVS-DGB)** An online resource that provides step-by-step guidance for countries to plan, analyse, design and implement digitized systems and automated processes for CRVS

  👉 [Visit the CRVS-DGB](http://www.crvs-dgb.org/en/)


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