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

Agenda 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 Data Management Association (DAMA) Symposium - March 6, 2007 in Boston March 4-8, 2007

Steve Nunn Presentation to DAMA Data Management Association (DAMA) Symposium - March 6, 2007 in Boston March 4-8, 2007

Steve Nunn Presentation to DAMA Data Management Association (DAMA) Symposium - March 6, 2007 in Boston March 4-8, 2007

The Semantic Interoperability Problem * 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. * Extract from The Open Group SOA White Paper

Reference Model – Description A reference model is an abstract framework for understanding significant relationships among the entities of some environment, and for the development of consistent standards or specifications supporting that environment. A reference model is based on a small number of unifying concepts and may be used as a basis for education and explaining standards to a non-specialist. A reference model is not directly tied to any standards, technologies or other concrete implementation details, but it does seek to provide a common semantics that can be used unambiguously across and between different implementations. OASIS SOA Reference Model Technical Committee

The 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 Model The Key Functions of Each Component are Defined by the Model

FEA and Data Reference Models

The FEA Data Reference Model United States Federal Enterprise Architecture Data Reference Model http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/egov/a-5-drm.html

TOGAF - A “How-to” Reference Model 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 Where are the key Reference Models that directly address global interoperability? Process Architecture Information Architecture Technology Architecture

A Data-to-Wisdom Reference Model Actors Involved in Exchange Wisdom Person Best Possible Decisions Person-to-Person Person-to-Machine Knowledge Acquired and Understood Machine-to-Person Machine-to-Machine Information Context – with Metadata Data Machine-to-Machine Scope of Information Architecture Reference Model

IA Reference Model – One Option Example functions and technologies for each layer Information Management •  Search engines •  Inference engines •  File retrieval •  Data discovery •  Data retrieval •  Naming Conventions •  Indexing Methods •  Registry • Ontologies • Taxonomies • Vocabularies Metadata Management Data Management •  Data standards •  Middleware •  DBMS •  Vaults •  Format standards •  Change control Metadata Management •  Logical Data Model •  File Labels Structured Data Stores Un-Structured Data Files •  Databases •  Data Formats •  File Servers •  Repositories 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 Option Example functions and technologies for each layer Structured Data Stores Un-Structured Data Files Data Management Document Management Metadata Management Information Management •  Search engines •  Inference engines •  File retrieval •  Data discovery •  Data retrieval •  Naming Conventions •  Indexing Methods •  Registry • Ontologies • Taxonomies • Vocabularies •  Data standards •  Middleware •  DBMS •  Vaults •  Format standards •  Change control •  Databases •  Data warehouses •  Web servers •  Repositories 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

Information Interoperability Standards Reference Model “Semantic Interoperability” Standards Cross Standard Semantics and Metadata Alignment – UDEF, RDF, OWL Domain Specific “Semantic and Syntax Payload” Standards Domain Specific Implementation Conventions (subsets & extensions) NIEM EDXL HAVE XBRL OAGIS GJXDM …. Others “Semantic Foundation” Standards ISO/IEC 11179-5, ISO 15000-5, UN Naming and Design Rules “Syntax Foundation” Standards W3C – XML, XML Schema 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? Is an Information Architecture Reference Model a suitable addition to TOGAF? Structured Data Stores Un-Structured Data Files Metadata Management Data Management Information Management

Recommendations 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.