Information Architecture Reference Models Ron Schuldt, Chair The Open Group UDEF Project July 24, 2007

Information Architecture Reference Models

Ron Schuldt, ChairRon Schuldt, Chair

The Open Group UDEF ProjectThe Open Group UDEF ProjectJuly 24, 2007July 24, 2007

AgendaAgenda

• The Need to Focus on the “I” of IT

• The Semantic Interoperability Problem

• Reference Model - Description

• The OSI Reference Model

• The OASIS SOA Reference Model

• 2 Information Architecture Reference Model Options

• Recommendations

Steve Nunn Presentation to DAMA

March 4-8, 2007

Data Management Association (DAMA) Symposium - March 6, 2007 in Boston


March 4-8, 2007



March 4-8, 2007


The Semantic Interoperability Problem *

* Extract from The Open Group SOA White Paper

At present, this problem is typically addressed within the services, and by use as far as possible of enterprise-standard and industry-standard vocabularies. In the future, it may be addressed by semantic technology that is incorporated in the infrastructure, which will be a more scalable way to deliver the ideal of Boundaryless Information Flow.

Reference Model – DescriptionReference Model – Description

A reference model is an A reference model is an abstract frameworkabstract framework for for understanding significant relationshipsunderstanding significant relationships among the among the entities of some environment, and for the development entities of some environment, and for the development of consistent standards or specifications supporting of consistent standards or specifications supporting that environment. that environment.

A reference model is A reference model is based on a small number of based on a small number of unifying conceptsunifying concepts and may be used as a basis for and may be used as a basis for education and explaining standards to a non-specialist. education and explaining standards to a non-specialist.

A reference model is A reference model is not directly tied to any standardsnot directly tied to any standards, , technologies or other concrete implementation details, technologies or other concrete implementation details, but it does seek to provide a common semanticsbut it does seek to provide a common semantics that that can be used unambiguously across and between can be used unambiguously across and between different implementations. different implementations.

OASIS SOA Reference Model Technical Committee

The OSI Reference Model – ISO/IEC 7498-1The OSI Reference Model – ISO/IEC 7498-1

The OSI, or Open System Interconnection, model defines a networking framework for implementing protocols in seven layers. Control is passed from one layer to the next, starting at the application layer in one station, proceeding to the bottom layer, over the channel to the next station and back up the hierarchy.

The functions performed in each layer are defined in the model. Most of the functionality in the OSI model exists in all communications systems, although two or three OSI layers may be incorporated into one.

The OASIS SOA Reference ModelThe OASIS SOA Reference Model

The Key Functions of Each Component are Defined by the Model

FEA and Data Reference ModelsFEA and Data Reference Models

The FEA Data Reference ModelThe FEA Data Reference Model

United States Federal Enterprise Architecture Data Reference ModelUnited States Federal Enterprise Architecture Data Reference Model

http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/egov/a-5-drm.htmlhttp://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/egov/a-5-drm.html

TOGAF - A “How-to” Reference ModelTOGAF - A “How-to” Reference Model

Where are the key Reference Models that directly address global interoperability?

• Process Architecture

• Information Architecture

• Technology Architecture

The Open Group Vision Statement

The Open Group is a vendor-neutral and technology-neutral consortium, whose vision of Boundaryless Information Flow™ will enable access to integrated information, within and among enterprises, based on open standards and global interoperability

A Data-to-Wisdom Reference ModelA Data-to-Wisdom Reference Model

Data

Wisdom

Knowledge

Information

Machine-to-Machine

Machine-to-Person

Machine-to-Machine

Person-to-Person

Person-to-Machine

Person

Context – with Metadata

Acquired and Understood

Best Possible Decisions

Actors Involved in Exchange

Scope of Information Architecture Reference Model

IA Reference Model – One OptionIA Reference Model – One Option

• Databases • Data Formats

• Data discovery • Data retrieval

• File Servers • Repositories

• Naming Conventions • Indexing Methods• Registry

• Ontologies• Taxonomies • Vocabularies

• Search engines • Inference engines• File retrieval

Example functions and technologies for each layer

• Data standards • Middleware• DBMS

• Vaults • Format standards• Change control

Structured DataStores

Un-Structured DataFiles

Metadata Management

Data Management

Metadata Management

Information Management

• Logical Data Model • File Labels

The above Reference Model is one option for an Information Architecture Reference Model that is being developed by the GEIA Homeland Security and Defense Information Interoperability (HSDII) Committee - http://www.geia.org/index.asp?bid=1207

IA Reference Model – Another OptionIA Reference Model – Another OptionExample functions and technologies for each layer

The above Reference Model is another option for an Information Architecture Reference Model that is being developed by the GEIA Homeland Security and Defense Information Interoperability (HSDII) Committee - http://www.geia.org/index.asp?bid=1207



Data Management Document Management

MetadataManagement

MetadataManagement


• Databases • Data warehouses

• Data standards • Middleware• DBMS

• Naming Conventions • Indexing Methods• Registry

• Data discovery • Data retrieval

• Web servers • Repositories

• Vaults • Format standards• Change control

• Ontologies• Taxonomies • Vocabularies

• Search engines • Inference engines• File retrieval

Information Interoperability Standards Reference ModelInformation Interoperability Standards Reference Model

XBRLNIEM OthersHAVE OAGISEDXL

ISO/IEC 11179-5, ISO 15000-5, UN Naming and Design Rules

Cross Standard Semantics and Metadata Alignment – UDEF, RDF, OWL

W3C – XML, XML Schema

….

Domain Specific Implementation Conventions (subsets & extensions)

“Semantic Foundation” Standards

Domain Specific “Semantic and Syntax Payload” Standards

“Semantic Interoperability” Standards

“Syntax Foundation” Standards

GJXDM

The above is being developed by the GEIA Homeland Security and Defense Information Interoperability (HSDII) Committee - http://www.geia.org/index.asp?bid=1207

Should TOGAF Increase Focus On Information?Should TOGAF Increase Focus On Information?



Metadata Management

Data Management

Metadata Management


Is an Information Architecture Reference Model a suitable addition to TOGAF?

RecommendationsRecommendations

Need a strategy to attract more Information Architecture experts to Open Group meetings.

Need to establish a formal liaison between the SOA Working Group and the Semantic Interoperability Working Group.

Future Open Group Conferences should include joint agenda topics and speakers addressing both working groups.

Include Information Architecture and applicable Reference Models within TOGAF.

Documents

Information Architecture Reference Models Ron Schuldt, Chair The Open Group UDEF Project July 24, 2007