Re: [egov] Tactics on data alignment / standardization

[David RR Webber - XML ebusiness <Gnosis_@compuserve.com>]

John,

This whole problem space is one that the OASIS CAM templates
are well equipped to help solve.

Some quick bullet points on what is needed to bear down on the
problem:

1) means to tie local usage to general vocabulary
2) means to drive adoption of common vocabulary and semantics
3) means to automatically map across formats
4) means to support local extensions to use and semantics
5) but most important - means to capture and enable context driven
     use of data elements.

IMHO - understanding context is the next frontier here - for building
agile information systems across the enterprise.

For more on the work on business context - see the BCM PPT at

 http://dfas.info

BCM / then Choice Pt presentation

Hopefully this will save some of the "grind" here.

Enjoy, DW.
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Message text written by INTERNET:john.borras@e-envoy.gsi.gov.uk
>We have sent many hours in committee meetings debating the data elements 
and agreeing final standards.  These committees include representatives of 
all government agencies and our process allows for escalation to senior 
management of any unresolvable issues.  Clearly in this work there have to 
be compromises and  for many agencies it can mean significant changes have 
to be made, but the implementation of those changes has to be managed in a 
pragmatic way. 

Our initial focus has been on the common data elements that most agencies 
use, eg names, addresses, dates, reference numbers etc.  It is essential 
to get these agreed early on although they are probably some of the 
hardest to deal with.

So based on our experience I can say the task is not easy, there is no 
quick solution, it is essential to involve all stakeholders, get their 
early agreement on the strategic use of common data elements, then grind 
your way through the individual elements trying to reach agreement.

<