Department of Homeland Security Metadata Center of Excellence The FEA Data Reference Model Status Update: After the Storm(ing)… Michael C. Daconta Metadata Program Manager September 19, 2005

Speaker Introduction DHS Metadata Center of Excellence DHS Data Management Strategy Metadata Registry/Repository DHS Data Architecture and Standards National Information Exchange Model DHS/DOJ initiative to improve and leverage GJXDM for homeland security. Federal Enterprise Architecture Data Reference Model Experiment in FEA RM development DHS Leadership of an Inter-agency team. Thanks to OMB and the CIO Council for trying this new innovative approach!

Agenda The Tuckman Model of Team Development Forming Storming Norming Public/Private Working Group What is the DRM? Information Sharing Use Case Storming Just a techie thing? Blind men and the elephant XML Schema Norming Re-examine first principles Convergence Abstract Model Performing Management Strategy (around COIs) Next Steps (move this to conclusion) Conclusion

Tuckman Model of Team Development Bruce Tuckman 'Developmental sequence in small groups‘, 1965 Forming The group comes together and gets to initially know one other and form as a group Storming A chaotic vying for leadership and trialing of group ideas/processes Norming Eventually agreement is reached on how the group operates. Performing The group practices its craft and becomes effective in meeting its objectives Forming Norming Performing Storming

Forming Wiki Three part working group Environment Open working group Initial meeting: February 7th, 2005 Agency participation: 124 Designated Agency Reps: 30 Environment Initial Volume and agency comments Response to EO 13356 on sharing terrorist information My brief on DRM for information sharing, article on XML.com, Semantic Web book Open working group # participants in workshops: 543 Highly interactive # vendor product demonstrations on draft specifications: 4 Initial Educational Focus What is the DRM? Information Sharing Use Case Wiki EO13356 HSPD-11

The Role of the DRM DRM Purpose (from Volume 1) DRM Usage “The DRM’s primary purpose is to promote the common identification, use, and appropriate sharing of data/information across the federal government.” DRM Usage

What is the DRM? (1) - Describe Answers: How do we make our data interoperable? Logical Data Modeling. Class, Property, Data Type, Association Goals: Unambiguous, Defined, Registered Logical Data Model != RIM

What is the DRM? (2) - Discover Answers: How does a class of users find relevant information? Taxonomy Article at XML.com “Formal Taxonomies for the Federal Government” Context is more than categorization. Data Asset Directory (Data Source Context?) Business Rules

What is the DRM? (3) - Share Answers: How do we effectively exchange and access information? Sharing is Exchange and Access National Information Exchange Model (NIEM) Developing “Core” Interagency XML Exchanges NIEM 0.1 on Sep 30 http://www.NIEM.gov

Information Sharing Use Case Description Sharing Context Org 1 Org 2 Data Elems Exchange packages Registry COI Context Core Context Components Assembly Discovery 2 3 1

Information Sharing Scenario Markle Report. http://www.markle.org/ “Creating a Trusted Network for Homeland Security” Vignette 3. Scenario: Terrorists planning an attack on Rail lines using Chlorine gas

Storming The DRM was the last reference model for good reason… The working group is treading on an area that directly affects Agency systems Data Modeling and Knowledge Representation are evolving How we stormed: The communication gap Blind men and the elephant Asked to accelerate the schedule … Cutting the Gordian Knot You’re not from around here are you?

Communication Gap (just a techie thing?) Data is Hidden behind the flashy GUI! I am the Great and Powerful OZ (aka Application)… “Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain” …Yep, there’s the Data!

Blind Men and the Elephant…

It’s time to answer the mail! The Gordian Knot… “The biggest impediment to all-source analysis—to a greater likelihood of connecting the dots—is the human or systemic resistance to sharing information.” - 9-11 Commission Report, Pg 416, July 22, 2004 “This area has received increased attention but the federal government still faces formidable challenges sharing information among stakeholders in an appropriate and timely manner to minimize risk.” - GAO, “HIGH-RISK SERIES, An Update”, January 2005, “Equally problematic, individual departments and agencies continue to act as though they own the information they collect, forcing other agencies to pry information from them.” - Commission on Intelligence Capabilities of the US in regard to WMD, Pg 14. March 31, 2005 “Bush’s choice to run Information Sharing Environment draws criticism” - GCN Article, June 3, 2005 “Info Sharing still the missing link.” - Federal Computer Week Article, June 6, 2005 “Intelligence Changes Still Thwarted By Lack Of Information Sharing.” - Information Week Article, June 7, 2005 “This committee has long been concerned about the lack of information sharing and analysis within the government and among the relevant public and private sector parties.” - Rep. Tom Davis, House Government Reform Committee. June 9, 2005. “But we're not as convinced that information sharing between agencies, and the computer technology needed to analyze it, has improved.” - Boston Herald editorial staff, Saturday, June 11, 2005 It’s time to answer the mail!

Cutting the Gordian Knot… Concept Root Cause of the Problem: Information Sharing must not stay an abstract concept. Perfect is the Enemy of the Good We must not wait for the perfect representation, the perfect governance process or the perfect registry. The Solution: Concrete, Measurable Implementations Concrete = Can be processed by software Measurable = Can be compared and graded Implementation = Specific to an Agency This approach will enable accountability!

A New Concrete Approach DRM XML Schema XML Schema XML Instances <DRM> <Description> <Structured> XXXX </Structured> </Description> </DRM> DRM Management Process =

DRM XML Schema - Example

You’re not from around here are you? Data artifacts typically present in robust data architectures Standardization Areas Categories Standards How does the schema approach fit with existing COIs?

Norming Leadership Open Processes are messy … They trade off The group is converging on a shared understanding… The group leads, DRM leadership and editors are working well together … Thanks to: Karen Evans, Dick Burk, Kim Nelson, Mary McCaffrey, Susan Turnbull, Bryan Aucoin, Larry Fitzwater, James Feagans, Suzanne Acar, Brand Niemann and the entire DRM Team… A DRM community has been formed!! Open Processes are messy … They trade off efficiency for adoption … Success Leadership Goals

What is the DRM? Data Context: How do I find data? Data Sharing: How do I exchange data? Data Description: How do I understand what the data means?

Achieving this requires Data Fidelity… Too much focus on production … Look & Feel, GUI, WYSIWYG, Postscript, … First 40 years in IT we’ve perfected graphics fidelity … In the next 40 years we will perfect data fidelity … let’s begin! Tactical Goals: Consumer-Centric Information Many-to-Many Interfaces Knowledge Line-of-Sight © Microsoft

DRM Abstract Model (Overview) -DRAFT Data Description: How do I understand what the data means? Data Context: How do I find data? Data Sharing: How do I exchange data?

Another relational view … Data Asset Query Point Model Exchange Package FEA BRM Sub-function Taxonomy describes exposes outputs input for Data Description Data Sharing Data Context categorizes aligns with

DRM Abstract Model (Data Context) - DRAFT manages DBMS categorizes

Data Context Example Recreation.gov Scenario Simple Categorization Recreation Area is part of the Inventory and type of Fixed Asset

DRM Abstract Model (Data Sharing) - DRAFT Fixed Exchange Org A Org B Trigger DBMS Query Response Point

Data Sharing Matrix A division of exchanges by type of data sources Structured data (relational) Semi-structured and unstructured (“document”) CRUD operations Retrieval and Analysis Each combination of exchange (1 -> 2, 2-> 3, 3 -> 1, etc.) defined.

Data Sharing Example Recreation.gov RecML Document Response RIDB Query Point (CGI Program) http://www.recreation.gov/detail.cfm?ID=1577 RIDB Query (Get String)

DRM Abstract Model (Description) - DRAFT Data Assets Metadata Data model Data Structured Semi- Structured Unstructured

Data Description Example Recreation.gov Data Model

Performing Team is charging into this phase! Business Driven Tailored Technical actions are only based on desired business outcomes Upcoming CIO Council Briefings Tailored Practical Implementation Approach Phased Implementation We are in the Home Stretch Next Steps Deliverables

The DRM is business-driven! COI Org 2 Org 3 Org 1 Agility Increased Information Sharing Common Understanding Improved Discovery Rapid Harmonization Consistent Models Screening Emergency Management Law Enforcement … Intelligence COIs are both Intra and Inter- Organization BRM DRM Cross- Agency Business Need

DRM Implementation is tailored – DRAFT Level 1: Cross-COI Level 2: COI Level 3: Transaction Analogy for Levels of Specificity © Google Levels of Specificity and Harmonization under consideration… People View (on right) Cross-COI COI COI-member Process View … Harmonization Continuum Level 1. Describe Data Assets. Level 2. Categorize. Level 3. Share. Level 4. Harmonize. Level 5. Measure (Optimize). Content View Taxonomies Common Entities Common Exchanges Phased Implementation Plan

Home stretch for the DRM Working Group Deliverables Create DRM Version 1.5 Chapter: Overview (Michael Daconta) Chapter: Categorization/Context (Jim Feagans) Chapter: Sharing (Bryan Aucoin) Chapter: Description (Larry Fitzwater) Illustrative examples Address submitted agency comments Glossary of terms DRM Management Strategy (Suzanne Acar) DRM Implementation And Testing Strategy (Brand Niemann) Milestones First Draft: August 31st. 2nd Quarterly Public Forum: TBD. Second Draft: September 19th. Third Draft: October 10th. Release to CIO Council: October 17th. Release to OMB: November 17th.

Conclusion As We May Think1… “Our ineptitude in getting at the record is largely caused by the artificiality of systems of indexing. … The human mind does not work that way. It operates by association. … Selection by association, rather than indexing, may yet be mechanized.” - Vannevar Bush, 1945 The DRM represents an unprecedented opportunity These are systemic problems … the status quo is unacceptable. The DRM Working Group is now Norming and Performing!!! A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. - Lao-Tzu All Aboard!! 1 © Vannevar Bush © Ocean Cruise Guides

Questions?