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

2. 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

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

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

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. The OASIS SOA Reference Model
The Key Functions of Each Component are Defined by the Model

10. FEA and Data Reference Models

11. The FEA Data Reference Model
United States Federal Enterprise Architecture Data Reference Model

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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 -

15. 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 -

16. 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 , ISO , 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 -

17. 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

18. 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.