eThens – A component-based framework for E-governance BITS, Pilani. BITS C461 / IS C341 Software Engineering Project Presentation

What is E-Governance? ● Caution: Emerging concept ● Context: “fully electronified” government ● Refers to a broad collection of functionalities ● E-governance (interface) vs E-government (infrastructure)

What is this framework about? ● Target Environment – Domain: E-governance – Users: ● Application (Software) Developers ● (Software) Service Providers and Service Integrators

What is this framework about? ● Functionality: – Support for Modeling and Design phases of Lifecycle ● Features: – Customizable, Fine-grained domain model – Extensible framework – Tools for Integration

Approach ● Layered framework – – Production layer – Integration layer – Infrastructure layer Production Layer Integration Layer Infrastructure Layer

Approach ● Domain Model – Fine-grained Abstractions – Functions vs. Aspects – Hierarchy of domain elements – Extensible elements – subject to domain constraints

Approach ● Operations on model elements – Selection; – Instantiation; – Composition; – Extension; and – Validation

Production Layer ● Commodities – Information, Service ● Modes of Provision – Exchange, Portal ● Target user – Application Developer

Production Layer ● Uses – To produce – Service Portal – Service Exchange – Information Portal – Information Exchange

Integration Layer ● Commodities – Service Elements – Information Fragments ● Target Users – Tool Developers – Service Integrators

Integration Layer ● Uses – To compose service elements into a service (or information fragments into information) – To extend existing service elements (or info. frags.) – To resolve integration issues

Integration Layer SP1 Production Layer Integration Layer Infrastructure Layer Svc 1 Info 2 Info 1 Svc 2 IP1

Integration Layer ● Composition Model – Structure of Elements / Fragments – Flow / Sequencing – Interfaces and constraints – Access Control

Integration Layer ● Extension Model – Add, Restrict, or Refine elements / fragments – Ensure integrity with existing infrastructure

Infrastructure Layer ● Commodities – Domain model (Functions and Aspects) ● Target User – Domain Expert(s) ● Uses – To support and enable E-governance framework(s). – To define Points of Service and Sources of Information

Infrastructure Layer ● Hierarchy of functional domains – verticals ● Domains provide – Points of Service – Sources of Information ● Aspects (may be cross-domain)- Horizontals ● Aspects provide – attributes of services / info.

Infrastructure Layer Production Layer Integration Layer Infrastructure Layer Svc 1 Info 2 Info 1 Svc 2 PoS2 SoI3 PoS1 SoI2 SoI1 PoS3

Infrastructure Layer ● Top level (functional) domains (incomplete?) – Defense – Law & Order – Regulation & Controls – Welfare – Planning & Policies – Financing

Infrastructure Layer ● Domain Hierarchy: e.g. Welfare – Infrastructure ● Education ● Transportation ● Communication – Ad-hoc ● Service Elements & Info. Fragments: e.g. Education – List of Accredited Universities – Accreditation / Evaluation – Funding for Research projects

Infrastructure Layer ● Aspects (incomplete?) – Rules and Regulations – Authorities and Decision Making – Rights and Privileges – Hard Resources (e.g. Money) – Soft Resources (e.g. Records) – Socio-political conventions

Infrastructure Layer Law&OrderLaw&Order FinancesFinances Domains & Functions --> Rules & Regulations Rights & Privileges AspectsAspects --> WelfareWelfare E D U. Accreditation Evaluation List of Univ. T r a n s. PoSSoI

E-governance Framework Project Requirements Build a vertical prototype - 1)Build a simple domain model a)two or three functional subdomains b)One cross-functional aspect 2)Build integration mechanisms a.Selection of service points (functions) b.Composition of service points

E-governance Framework Project ● Technology Requirements – UML for domain model – Java for development ● Technology Suggestions – Eclipse and plug-ins

E-governance Application Project ● Application – Emergency Tracking and Maintenance Portal ● Domain – E-governance ● (Ulterior) Motives – Useful product in an emerging domain – Feasibility Prototype for eThens – Identification of Service Integration Issues

E-governance Application Project ● Objective: – To build a single window services portal for emergency tracking and management ● Features: – Services Portal – Single Window for a set of services – Composition of service elements into a service

E-governance Application Project ● Application Domain Description – Emergencies (Public and large-scale)  Natural Disasters (Earthquake, Floods)  Epidemics (Cholera breakout, SARS)  Accidents (Railway accidents, Flight Crashes)  Social Volatility (Terrorist attacks, Communal Violence)

E-governance Application Project ● Application Domain Description – Primary Services ● Tracking and Management of Emergencies – Service Users ● Citizens ● Businesses and Non-profit organizations ● Government agencies

E-governance Application Project – Service Providers ● Government Agencies – Requirements ● three layer approach ● Web-enabled portal ● Status tracking ● Resource mobilization

E-governance Application Project ● Layer(s) Details – Services Layer supports single window for many services – Integration Layer enables composition of service elements into service. – Infrastructure Layer enables service elements (This layer could be simulated with wrappers for data).

E-governance Application Project ● Required Technologies – Java based web tier and back end. ● Recommended Technologies – IBM WebSphere Development Environment OR – Eclipse