A conceptual process to identify data commonalities across agencies (using the DRM) helps illustrate the context in which agencies use the DRM. The process uses an agency’s EA in combination with the DRM’s common approach to the categorization, exchange, and structure of data to share information. This section offers a potential collaboration process and the results of a pilot conducted by the Department of the Interior (DOI) to demonstrate how the DRM might be used.    (2IX6)

Collaboration Opportunities    (2IX7)

Collaboration opportunities can be identified through the DRM’s approach to the categorization, exchange, and structure of data. The process illustrated in Exhibit G lays out (at a conceptual level) the steps an agency might go through in its use of the DRM.    (2IX8)

Exhibit G: DRM Collaboration Process    (2IX9)

In this scenario:    (2IXA)

1. Organization B determines that it has the need for a particular set of data that might be available from Organization A.    (2IXB)

2. Organization A uses the DRM to categorize its data (using the BRM) into a business context.    (2IXC)

3. Organization B identifies Organization A’s available data through its business context.    (2IXD)

4. Organization A uses the DRM to publish the detailed structure of the actual data element (in support of the business context).    (2IXE)

5. Organizations A and B determine if, in fact, the data produced by Organization A will meet the needs of Organization B.    (2IXF)

6. Once Organizations A and B determine that the data can be re-used, the information exchange package is used to transmit the data.    (2IXG)

Although the process illustrated in Exhibit G is simplistic in nature (and it will likely require a level of detail on the part of the organizations seeking to share data), it does provide a conceptual view to the steps an organization might take in order to use the DRM.    (2IXH)

Department of the Interior (DOI) Pilot    (2IXI)

The pilot conducted by DOI in Exhibit H provides a perspective on how the DRM might be used to improve the ability to share information and efficiently use IT investments. DOI’s pilot uses the DRM to share information regarding its recreational amenities in a common approach that can be easily interpreted and employed by many users. Users who wish to take advantage of DOI recreational information need only understand the DRM to understand and use DOI data properly. Exhibit H illustrates the DOI pilot and the use of the DRM’s common approach to the categorization, exchange, and structure of data. This diagram also describes the use of actual data models (schemas). These schemas represent a potential view of the implementation of an information exchange package. Future volumes of the DRM will define in more detail the relationship of schemas to the information exchange package.    (2IXJ)

Exhibit H: Use of the DRM    (2IXK)

The DOI pilot demonstrates the potential outcomes provided by the DRM. The pilot’s use of the DRM is described in the following sections.    (2IXL)

Categorization of Data    (2IXM)

DOI used the DRM to categorize data through the identification of activities performed within the recreational resource management and tourism sub-functions of the BRM. With the BRM categorization identified, DOI further identified a super type of “recreation area.” This super type is a more detailed categorization of the type of data consumed/produced through this business function.    (2IXN)

Exchange of Data    (2IXO)

Defining data in common terms related to the request of a public amenity enables it to be shared with other users. By using the DRM’s approach to the exchange of data, DOI identified a set of information (information exchange package) that directly supports the request for a recreational amenity. DOI used the DRM’s categorization approach to relate the information exchange package to a particular business context, and then made it available as a re-usable set of data.    (2IXP)

Structure of Data    (2IXQ)

After using the categorization approach to identify the subject area and super type, DOI used the DRM’s common approach to identify the data elements. The data element includes the data object (names of the recreational areas), data property (the types of recreation activities aligned with specific recreational areas), and data representation (specific value of the data element).    (2IXR)

Potential Outcomes of the DOI Pilot    (2IXS)

Information Sharing    (2IXT)

Information sharing related to recreation areas is facilitated because users understand the categorization, exchange, and structure of the data needed to satisfy their business needs. In the pilot, DOI creates information about its recreation areas and the many activities available within them. An agency that wants to make a recreation amenity request would, for example, look in the BRM for a sub-function that describes the activity it is seeking (recreational management and tourism). Once the agency knows the subfunction, it can use the Federal Enterprise Architecture Management System (FEAMS) to identify investments currently supported by DOI that provide recreational-amenity management capabilities. With the investments identified, the agency can work with DOI to determine whether the functions and data supported by the investment meet its needs. Once this is confirmed, the information exchange package would be used to actually transmit the request from the agency’s systems to the DOI systems that manage recreational amenities. Once the DOI data is made available to multiple users, it increases the department’s ability share information.    (2IXU)

Improved Effectiveness of IT Investments    (2IXV)

The DOI pilot illustrates how an agency might improve the effectiveness of its IT investments by making the data produced by its investments available to others. The DRM’s common approach to data categorization, exchange, and structure provides a mechanism whereby an agency does not need to create a new investment when the data it requires is available from another source. Agencies engaged in the DOI pilot now have a common way to describe the business purpose of the data required by their uses and agencies participating in the DOI pilot can re-use the various existing IT investments to meet its business needs.    (2IXW)

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