Enterprise-Specific Models

The enterprise-specific models (’business models’) provide a representation of the enterprise inside which an MRA implementation is created. The MRA recommends three different types of business model:

• Classification models, which provide a number of work-focussed views on the document store. A single classification model may resemble a traditional file structure or may be more complex, providing differing views on the same information. A single classification model is analogous to a VSP resource room structure.

• Organisational models, which provide a view of the organisation within which documents are managed. Organisational models provide a description of the people within an organisation and the parts of the organisation to which they belong. An MRA organisational model for the University of Leeds, for example, provides the structure of the University and its schools, and information about the people within those schools.

• Document models, which provide the structure of the document types used within an organisation. A document type may be as simple as an office memorandum, or may be more complex – a DEF STAN 00-60 IETP, for example. By making explicit the form of the document and providing a structure model of that form, the MRA is able to manipulate a document's content, structure and presentation aspects.

One of the key ideas within the MRA is the association of a particular document with parts of the MRA business models that best describe its purpose and position within the enterprise. The document at the centre of figure 4-4 is shown to be of a particular document type, belong to a particular part of an organisation and be classified according to some part of a classification scheme. The overall classification of that document describes not only the subject area or purpose of the document, but also the person and organisational element to which it belongs, and its document type. An extension of this key idea is of further significance - the ability to multiply-classify a document. A multiply-classified document retains only one document type and one owner/author, but may have a number of different classifications.

The user scenario described above will be used to illustrate the business models. First, the DEF STAN 00-60 domain provides a number of classification models against which its resources are stored and retrieved - a single ’input’ model and a number of ’output’ models. The input model is the classification according to which all data modules are primarily attached, specified by the data module code (DMC) schema. Figure 4-5 shows a small sample of the DMC scheme. It comprises two hierarchical decompositions: one of the equipment used within the MoD and the second of the functions that can be performed on such equipment.

The DMC identifies the piece of equipment described and the procedure on that piece of equipment. As an example, the data module at the foot of the figure 4-5 is identified as describing the locking procedures on the nuclear propulsion of a naval ship.

Organisational model Classification model

Document model

Figure 4-4: MRA Business Models

In contrast to the extensive input model, each output model within DS0060 represents the structure of a single technical manual that is published for specific purposes. Figure 4-6 shows a typical publication structure, which resembles a traditional book-like structure. If the data module coded in figure 4-6 is deemed to be useful to the ’Check structure’ sub-section of the ’Monthly maintenance’ section of the publication, a connection is made between the data module’s DMC and the ’Check structure’ element of the publication (output) classification model. The DM may be of use elsewhere in the same publication or in other publications: this is the essence of the ’reuse’ made possible using DS0060.

All Equipment

Electronic Aircraft and missile Surface vehicle Ordnance Ship

Structure Armaments

Propulsion Electrical systems Communications

etc.

Propulsion nuclear Propulsion electrical

Propulsion steam Propulsion gas turbine

etc.

Functional Operation Servicing Examination Assembly etc.

All procedures

Assemble Install Connect Close after access etc.

Tighten procedures Lock procedures

Data Module Code

CHALLENGR2 AAA BBB D K1 10 05 01 AA 253 B C

‘Propulsion nuclear’ ‘Lock procedures’

Figure 4-5: The Classification of a DEF STAN 00-60 Data Module

Ship propulsion system maintenance manual

Introduction Daily maintenance Monthly maintenance Annual maintenance

Check fuses Check alarms Check structure

Data Module Code

CHALLENGR2 AAA BBB D K1 10 05 01 AA 253 B C

‘Propulsion nuclear’ ‘Lock procedures’

Figure 4-6 - Document Module use within a Publication

Whereas the classification models prescribed by DS0060 are extensive and complex, the work-based models for the supported learning in higher education scenario are typically much smaller-scale. Two example classification models are shown in figure 4-7 - one for an individual academic’s resource room, and one to support a single taught course module. It is apparent that a resource stored in ’Dave’s Resource Room : Microcosm’ may be useful to ’VWE Module : Microcosm’. If a resource from Dave’s Resource Room is found to be of use, it is further classified with a code representing ’VWE Module : Microcosm’. A single resource is now being referenced from two resource rooms - it has effectivel y been re-purposed.

Classification models describe only one part of the overall model-driven nature of the MRA. Organisational models may also be constructed, representing the structure of the organisation within which the MRA implementation is to be used. A typical organisational model is shown in figure 4-8, showing the hierarchical decomposition of the University of Leeds. At the lowest level of the model are the people who belong to a particular part of the organisation.

Lastly, a representation of the document types within the organisation permit the manipulation of document structure and content. The representation of document models is essential for effective document manipulation and reuse. The form of these document models is described in the next chapter.

Document

Figure 4-7: Two Classification Models within the Learning Domain

Facult of Arts Faculty of Engineering Earth and Environment

School of Civil Engineering School of Computer Studies

Artificial Intelligence ORIS Virtual Working Environments

Figure 4-8: Part of the Organisational Model for the University of Leeds