Proposed Methodology
The approach embedded in HOPEX Information Architecture starts from basic concepts up to concept classification (concept categories: contact types, vehicle types) passing through time concepts such as events and life cycles.
For example: order issued, order paid, order delivered.
This incremental approach allows enterprises to progressively build comprehensive glossaries adapted to the context of their organizations.
So that business users and IS users share a common vocabulary, HOPEX Information Architecture is based on two major functions:
• The analysis and organization of business concepts,
• The relationship setting of business concepts with information system architecture elements.
Analysis and organization of business concepts
This is carried out by a business user. It consists of describing all business concepts, using a simple semantic model based on notions of concept, event and state.
• A concept, representing a business object, is characterized by:
• its scope, that is, its relationships with other concepts
For example, a work is characterized by its author, its title, its publication date, etc.
• its inheritance links with other concepts
For example, a subscription is a book or media subscription.
• its occurrences,
For example, Alexandre Dumas is an occurrence of Author.
• A State Concept enables identification of an evolution in time of a concept,
For example, a work is available or on loan.
• An Event represents a significant fact modifying the state of one or several concepts.
For example, publication of a work.
HOPEX Information Architecture offers the standard "Business Data Manager" role to assure business concept analysis and organization work.
Concept realization
Business concepts are generally implemented in the IS using the UML method and formalism.
"Concept realization" work therefore consists of connecting data model elements with business concepts in order to:
• define more precisely objects handled at IS architecture level,
• assure improved vocabulary sharing and improved global communication between business users and IS users.
HOPEX Information Architecture offers the standard "Data Manager" profile to ensure the "concept realization" work.