Enterprise Information Management

Third-generation information architecture

November 4, 2008

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Agueda Sánchez2005 MSIM Alumn

aguedas@u.washington.edu

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A Few Definitions Enterprise

• an organization created for business ventures Information Technology

• the use of computers and software to manage information

• an industry Information Architecture

• a fundamental approach to organizing information in digital environments

• a profession in its own right

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Enterprise Information Management (EIM)

“a field that specializes in finding solutions for optimal use of information within organizations, for instance to support decision-making processes or day-to-day operations that require the availability of knowledge” http://www.wikipedia.org

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The Challenge Corporations always want to increase profits

and reduce costs Information — about customers, products,

financials, business processes, partners, and employees can be used to improve customer intimacy, reduce costs, improve products, and mitigate risks

Despite realizing its importance, enterprises struggle to effectively manage and use structured and unstructured information

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1st and 2nd Generation IA

System /

Focused on technology solutions rather than use of information

1st Generation IA1970 – 1980

Stand alone applications

2nd Generation IA1990s

Integrated set of components

System /

System /

System /

System /

System /

System /

System /

System /

System /

Application

Application

Application

Application

Application

Application

Application

Application

Application

Application

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Information is Everywhere Different information can

be found in different places across the enterprise

Some information is more secure than other

There are different types of formats and storage of information

Information is accessed in different ways

• Information can be found in – Personal computer hard drives– Shared drives– Databases– Thumb drives– Application servers

• Information is organized in different ways

– By application– By user– By function– By supporting structure– By business unit

• Information comes in different formats– Documents (.doc, .xls, .pdf, xml, etc.)– Diagrams (.gif, .vsd, .bmp, etc.)– Sound, video– Etc.

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Enterprise Information Management Purpose

Provide access to current, correct information to operate the business and facilitate decision making

Manage information as a business asset to ensure that its value is maximized and protected

Meet changing requirements from business units more rapidly and effectively

Improve the ability to recover information in the event of business interruption

Improve adherence to compliance policies and regulations

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Evolution

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Enterprise Architecture Set of models, standards and

practices Related to process, information and

technology Derived from the business challenges

that set the context for information technology activities

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Examples of EA Frameworks

Gartner EA Framework

Zachman Framework

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Enterprise Architecture

Scope

Technology, as a foundation, needs to be driven by the needs of the business

Org

aniza

tion

Proc

ess

Info

rmati

on

Capability

Systems Architecture

Geog

raph

y

Business Context& Direction

Technology

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Enterprise Information Architecture

Scope

Technology, as a foundation, needs to be driven by the needs of the business

Org

aniza

tion

Proc

ess

Info

rmati

on

Capability

Systems Architecture

Geog

raph

y

Business Context& Direction Information

Technology

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Enterprise Information Architecture Cycle

Scope

Org

aniza

tion

Proc

ess

Info

rmati

on

Capability

Systems Architecture

Geog

raph

yBusiness Context

& Direction

Information

Technology

Business Requirements

Dimensions

Tools

Implementation

Feedback

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3rd Generation IA late 1990’s and 2000’s

The kinds of information and content:• Structured and unstructured

documents• Tacit knowledge• Non-document-based content

(images & animation)• Policies and procedures• Technologies that support content

creation and dissemination (search, CM, portals, etc.)

The ways that content is structured such as:• Metadata• Taxonomies• Controlled vocabularies• Semantic networks• Ontologies• Social network analysis representations• Knowledge and topic maps• And other advanced knowledge

representations

Systems and ApplicationsSemantic Infrastructure

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Conclusion Corporation’s recognize the need to manage

information across the enterprise Managing information is not only a technology

issue any longer Information architects are applying IA methods to

business problems beyond the web A number of different disciplines are

incorporating information management skills as part of their job requirements, among others are:• Enterprise Architects• Business Analysts• Product Managers• Program Managers

• Solution Architects• Web Community Managers• Records Management

Managers

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Questions

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References Third-Generation Information Architecture by

Roger and Elaine Evernden, Communications of the ACM, March 2003 Vol. 46 No. 3

How To Tackle An Enterprise Information Management Strategy by Barry Murphy Forrester, January 3, 2006

Enterprise Information Architecture: A Semantic and Organizational Foundation by Tom Reamy, BoxesandArrows, November 11, 2006

Laughing at the CIO; A Parable and Prescription for IT Leadership by Bob Boiko, 2007

The Zachman Institute for Framework Advancement, http://www.zifa.com/