Context Methodology SC Activity Summary Barcelona Face-to-Face Meeting March 18, 2002

The Problem UBL seeks to define a standard set of XML document schemas for e-business Document formats vary across companies, even for common documents like orders and invoices Manual customization is possible, but expensive to perform and maintain Longer-term vision for a “plug-and-play” economy precludes manual customization

Context Methodology Overview Initiated as part of ebXML, draft released in May 2001 Context defined as a set of values for specific “context drivers” Rules can be applied to modify document formats automatically based on context Actions performed include adding fields and making optional fields required

Context Drivers Industry Geopolitical Business Process Product Classification Official Constraints Business Process Role Supporting Role System Capabilities Note: Context Driver SC is exploring whether additional drivers are needed

Current Status Discussion and preliminary decisions on “8 questions” Use of ebXML deliverables as starting point (yes) Use of XSD derivation (deferred) Use of substractive refinement (yes) Use of XSLT for context rules (no) Handling of hierarchical context driver values (deferred) Use of assembly rules (no) Basing names on XSD (no) Which ebXML deliverables are “broken” (test iteratively) Drafting of initial use cases with Library Content SC

Next Steps Revision of ebXML specification based on use cases Compilation of additional use cases Launch of Context Methodology portal on UBL site Implementation of proof-of-concept

How Can I Help? Contribute additional use cases for document formats modified by context Joint the SC and participate in the technical discussions Review and comment on the upcoming specification