1 The ISO Concept databaseReinhard Weissinger16 August 2008

www.iso.orgwww.iso.org

International Organization International Organization for Standardizationfor Standardization

2 The ISO Concept databaseReinhard Weissinger16 August 2008

The ISO Concept DatabaseThe ISO Concept Database

Moscow, 15 August 2008Moscow, 15 August 2008

Reinhard WeissingerReinhard Weissinger

ISO Central SecretariatISO Central SecretariatGroup Manager, Project management & e-servicesGroup Manager, Project management & e-services

3 The ISO Concept databaseReinhard Weissinger16 August 2008

Topics

Use of databases for standards development in ISO

TMB Group “Standards as databases”

Why a “Concepts” database? (ISO/CDB)

Functions & expectations re. the ISO/CDB

Implementation

4 The ISO Concept databaseReinhard Weissinger16 August 2008

Applicability of the DB approach

Standard consists in full or in part of a “collection of items”, e.g.

- graphical symbols- terms and definitions- product properties- reference data of all types- classification systems- codes (for various types of objects)- units of measurements- etc.

5 The ISO Concept databaseReinhard Weissinger16 August 2008

Increasing use of DBs in standards development

Results of surveys done by ISO Central Secretariat:

June 2005: Approximately 15 TCs/SCs

June 2007: Over 40 TCs/SCs

March 2006: First DIS disseminated in the form of a database (ISO/TC 61/SC 1 – Plastics vocabulary)

Standards written as « framework documents » with reference data maintained in external databases

Emerging approach to standards development

6 The ISO Concept databaseReinhard Weissinger16 August 2008

Use of databasesUse of databases

Approved Work Item

Publication of a

standard as a document

traditional

development process

extraction

upload toDatabase

Use type 1: For maintenance after development

Use type 2: For development from scratch

Approved Work Item

Database

storage of

proposed/draftconcepts

development

Database

concept status set to

« approved » « standard »

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Current use of databases by ISO committees

Advantages:

Large number of items can be easier managed and maintained

Consistency can be easier ensured

Database tools readily available

Challenges/problems:

Lack of support in terms of IT infrastructure

Grass root developments

Lack of compatibility (e.g. regarding data categories), maintenance problems

Access modalities to content are unclear

No integration in workflow processes

8 The ISO Concept databaseReinhard Weissinger16 August 2008

TMB AHG “Standards as databases”- TMB AHG “Standards as databases”- ParticipationParticipation

Committees represented in the TMB AHG:

ISO/IEC JTC 1 Information technology

ISO/IEC JWG 1 Product classification

ISO/TC 10/SC 10 Technical product documentation

ISO/TC 23/SC 19 Agricultural electronics

ISO/TC 29 Small tools

ISO/TC 37 Terminology and other language and content resources

ISO/TC 46 Information and documentation

ISO/TC 61 Plastics

ISO/TC 145 Graphical symbols

ISO/TC 172 Optics and photonics

ISO/TC 184/SC 4 Industrial automation

ISO/TC 199 Safety of machinery

ISO/TC 215 Health informatics

IEC TC 3 Information structures, documentation and graphical symbols

IEC Central Office

Representatives from AFNOR, ANSI, BSI, DIN, JISC

9 The ISO Concept databaseReinhard Weissinger16 August 2008

TMB AHG – Main outputTMB AHG – Main output

Generic procedure for the development and maintenance of standards in database format (approved by TMB in June 2007 – Annex ST to ISO Supplement to the Directives)

Specification of basic functions of a concept database (CDB)

Initial data model for CDB

Definition of four access layers related to different types of objects in the CDB including a public access layer allowing free access to some content (approved by CPSG in June 2007)

10 The ISO Concept databaseReinhard Weissinger16 August 2008

Why a « Concept » database?Why a « Concept » database?Concepts – Designations – Referents/ObjectsConcepts – Designations – Referents/Objects

Unit of Thinking (Concept)

Designation (Symbol, Sign,Term, Formulaetc.)Different types of designations/representations

Referent(Concrete Object,Real Thing,Conceived Object)

(Unit of Thought, Unit of Knowledge)

11 The ISO Concept databaseReinhard Weissinger16 August 2008

ISO/CDB – Main functions & expectations

Hosts “concepts”, “items” – already standardized or currently subject to standardization – The repository for such content in ISO

Cross standard & cross committee visibility of standardized content or content currently under development

Makes inconsistencies, overlaps visible Input for harmonization

Supports a structured development process (e.g. workflows, version control for items etc.) and allows faster development/maintenance

Integrated with existing IT infrastructure of ISO (e.g. role-based access control – ISO/GD, balloting systems etc.)

Integration with standards writing tools (XML-template project)

End user access: Subscription, download and API-access for customers & businesses (with webstore-integration)

Independent hosting by ISO members

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ISO/CDB - Implementation

Implementation time frame: 2007 Q4 – 2009 Q1 (first release for production)

Cooperation agreement with external software partner: “Paradine” (Austria) – www.paradine.at

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ISO/CDB (first prototype – May 2008)ISO/CDB (first prototype – May 2008)Sample screen (1)Sample screen (1)

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ISO/CDB (first prototype – May 2008)ISO/CDB (first prototype – May 2008)Sample screen (2)Sample screen (2)

15 The ISO Concept databaseReinhard Weissinger16 August 2008

ISO/CDB (first prototype – May 2008)ISO/CDB (first prototype – May 2008)Sample screen (3)Sample screen (3)

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ISO/CDB (first prototype – May 2008)ISO/CDB (first prototype – May 2008)Sample screen (4)Sample screen (4)

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ISO/CDB (first prototype – May 2008)ISO/CDB (first prototype – May 2008)Sample screen (5)Sample screen (5)

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ISO/CDB (first prototype – May 2008)ISO/CDB (first prototype – May 2008)Sample screen (6)Sample screen (6)