Print Email Facebook Twitter Managing semantic metadata in public private information chains: A reference architecture for alignment of semantics, technology and stakeholders Title Managing semantic metadata in public private information chains: A reference architecture for alignment of semantics, technology and stakeholders Author Den Bak, V. Contributor Janssen, M.F.W.H.A. (mentor) Tan, Y. (mentor) Bharosa, N. (mentor) Van der Voort, H.G. (mentor) Kockelkoren, S. (mentor) Van Wijk, R. (mentor) Faculty Technology, Policy and Management Department Infrastructure Systems & Services Programme Information and Communication Technology Date 2011-11-07 Abstract The use of a common set of semantic metadata is seen as one of the most promising developments in information exchange among public and private parties. Semantic metadata is data that provides context to core data and helps to convey the actual meaning and perspective of the information that is shared among people, systems and organizations. All information sharing activities are aimed at one objective: having the right information available to the end user, with as little loss, time delay and clutter as possible. Using a common set of semantics in electronic information exchange is believed to further reduce costs and time of information exchange, increase information quality and remove many of the unforeseen side effects and complexities of interconnecting stand alone information systems. Semantic metadata management is required in order to use semantic metadata effectively in a PPIC. A common vocabulary is of little use if it does not match organizational requirements. The main difficulty in semantic metadata management is that it touches on many elements of the organizational architecture. Semantic metadata management is primarily an alignment effort and partially a standardization effort. It includes the alignment of processes, technology and data models, both within and beyond organizational boundaries. However, many existing semantic metadata management approaches are ad hoc and lack a coordinated and premeditated approach. There are many theories and studies on individual topics related to metadata management, but a documented approach that puts all elements within the given scope in perspective is non-existent. This master thesis project was aimed at aiding those tasked with implementing a coordinated form of semantic metadata management within the domain of Public Private Information Chains (PPIC). The problem was approached from an enterprise architecture point of view. This means a broad, holistic view was applied. A PPIC is a digital information chain consisting of both public and private parties that is centered around a certain information process with a high rate of repetition and mutual responsibilities. This research project started out with a literature review and expert interviews. Best practices were extracted and tested in an in depth case study with two complementary cases in Dutch government organizations. The main research question has been answered by developing a reference architecture for semantic metadata management in a PPIC. A reference architecture is a generic blueprint that provides a holistic approach for a specific architecture archetype. It puts all elements required for semantic metadata into perspective making it easier to structure the many pieces of the puzzle. The reference architecture uses a format that on the one hand provides enough rigor to ensure interoperability, while on the other hand provides enough leeway to fit organizations with different characteristics or specific requirements. The mixture of rigor and leeway has been achieved by using both prescriptive design principles and tradeoffs that extend the design space. The reference architecture is centered around mitigating the main challenge in this domain and reinforcing one of the main potentials: reduction of complexity. Much of the complexity regarding information exchange in PPIC’s is artificial, not inherently present. Challenges have arisen by creating connections between systems, processes and organizations that were never designed from the outset to be interconnected in such a way. The semantic metadata management approach that is introduced in this research has two pillars. First, a conceptual model is introduced to act as a single point of reference between all components, reducing the number of existing relations. Second, the relations between all components in the organizational architecture are actively managed. This proactive approach reduces incidents and improves information quality. The solution presented in this thesis is generic. The design principles and tradeoffs apply in a similar way to both private and public organizations. Moreover, it applies to organizations with different maturity levels in technology, data management and processes and with a varying level of ambition on this topic. In an information chain the diversity in stakeholders and their interests is a given situation. A certain degree of commitment and effort can be expected from the stakeholders in the chain, but semantic metadata management should not interfere with the private processes or bring an additional burden. The evaluated reference architecture presented in this study deals with this problem. Even though the solution is primarily aimed at providing benefits in inter-organizational information exchange, it is useful for internal use in individual organizations as well. Subject semantic metadata managementpublic private information chainreference architectureinformation exchange To reference this document use: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:9352369d-e03f-4b2c-acc9-613e4bbdc0ba Embargo date 2011-11-08 Part of collection Student theses Document type master thesis Rights (c) 2011 Den Bak, V. Files PDF VdenBak_Thesis_final.pdf 3.75 MB Close viewer /islandora/object/uuid:9352369d-e03f-4b2c-acc9-613e4bbdc0ba/datastream/OBJ/view