Maximize the Value of Your Information Throughout Even the Most Complex IT Project Foreword by Tim Vincent, IBM Fellow and Vice President, CTO for IBM Analytics Group To drive maximum value from complex IT projects, IT professionals need a deep understanding of the information their projects will use. Too often, however, IT treats information as an afterthought: the “poor stepchild” behind applications and infrastructure. That needs to change. This book will help you change it. Five senior IBM architects show you how to use information-centric views to give data a central role in project design and delivery. Using Common Information Models (CIM), you learn how to standardize the way you represent information, making it easier to design, deploy, and evolve even the most complex systems. Using a complete case study, the authors explain what CIMs are, how to build them, and how to maintain them. You learn how to clarify the structure, meaning, and intent of any information you may exchange, and then use your CIM to improve integration, collaboration, and agility. In today’s mobile, cloud, and analytics environments, your information is more valuable than ever. To build systems that make the most of it, start right here. Coverage Includes • Mastering best practices for building and maintaining a CIM • Understanding CIM components and artifacts: scope, perspectives, and depth of detail • Choosing the right patterns for structuring your CIM • Integrating a CIM into broader governance • Using tools to manage your CIM more effectively • Recognizing the importance of non-functional characteristics, such as availability, performance, and security, in system design • Growing CIM value by expanding their scope and usage • Previewing the future of CIMs

Table of Contents:
Foreword by Tim Vincent    xix Preface   xx Chapter 1  Introduction   1 The Agile and Open World   1 GKDMR Travel   3 Adding Mobile Applications to the Enterprise   4 Social Computing   8 Insight Applications   9 Using Cloud Platforms   10 Security of Data   12 Summary   13 Chapter 2  Inside the Common Information Model   15 Introduction   15 Scope   16 Perspectives   17 Information Supply Chains   19 Model Types   20 Depth of Detail   22 A Comprehensive Common Information Model   23 Developing a Strategy   26 Summary   29 Chapter 3  Structural Patterns for the Common Information Model   31 Introduction   31 Common Information Model   33 Context   33 Problem   33 Example   34 Forces   34 Solution   35 Consequences   36 Example Resolved   37 Known Uses   38 Related Patterns   38 Concept Beads   39 Context   39 Problem   39 Example   39 Forces   40 Solution   40 Consequences   42 Example Resolved   43 Known Uses   45 Related Patterns   45 Continuous Fabric   45 Context   45 Problem   45 Example   46 Forces   46 Solution   46 Consequences   47 Example Resolved   48 Known Uses   48 Related Patterns   50 Encapsulated Views   50 Context   50 Problem   50 Example   51 Forces   51 Solution   51 Consequences   52 Example Resolved   54 Known Uses   54 Related Patterns   54 Unifying Context   54 Context   54 Problem   55 Example   55 Forces   55 Solution   55 Consequences   56 Example Resolved   57 Known Uses   58 Related Patterns   58 Combining the Patterns   58 Summary   59 Chapter 4  Modeling Best Practices   61 What Should Be in a Model? 61 Deciding on the Scope of a Model   62 Adopting Existing Models   63 Basic Modeling Skills   64 Leveling the Content   64 Standardizing Basic Types   65 Dealing with Variation   66 Dependent and Independent Behaviors   68 When to Use Inheritance   68 The Role Pattern   69 Designing for Consistency   70 Designing for Reuse   71 Designing for Extensibility   71 Linking Subject Areas   73 Tips for Modeling Interfaces   73 Specialized Definitions of the Same Concept   73 Context of a Request   75 Versioning of Interfaces   75 Tips on Modeling for a Repository   75 Removing Duplication—How Far Do You Go? 76 Storing Historical Information   77 Effectivity Dating   77 Modeling Unstructured Data   78 Physical Implementation Details   78 Summary   78 Chapter 5  Governance   81 Introduction   81 Governance Definitions   83 Governance Principles   84 Governance Policies   84 Governance Classification Schemes   85 Governance Standards   86 Governance Rules, Guidelines, and Patterns   87 Governance Process Definitions   87 Governance Metrics   87 Managing Change   87 Lifecycles of Governance   88 Governance Leadership   90 Governance Processes   92 Governance Roles   93 Everyday Decision Making   94 Measurement and Audit   96 Summary   96 Chapter 6  Moving Beyond the Hammer   99 Structuring and Maintaining Models   99 Configuration Management   100 Top-Down Configuration Management   102 Bottom-Up Configuration Management   102 Combining Approaches   103 Consuming Models and Related Artifacts   104 Managing Information Values   110 Quality Management   111 Reference Data Management   112 Summary   112 Chapter 7  System Characteristics   113 Introduction   113 Non-Functional Characteristics   114 Reviewing GKDMR Travel   116 Systems of Record   118 SoR Non-Functional Characteristics   119 CIM Implications for Systems of Record   120 Systems of Engagement   122 SoE Non-Functional Characteristics   123 CIM Implications for Systems of Engagement   124 Systems of Insight   126 SoI Non-Functional Characteristics   129 CIM Implications for Systems of Insight   131 Integration   132 Integration Requirements   134 CIM Implications for Integration   135 Summary   136 Chapter 8  Building Business Value   137 Complex Organizations   137 Points of View at GKDMR Travel   138 Adoption Maturity Model   140 Repeatable Adoption Level   141 Defined Adoption Level   141 Managed Adoption Level   143 Investing in the Common Information Model   145 Optimizing Adoption Level   146 APIs from Business Partners   149 Unstructured Data Feeds   150 Summary   151 Chapter 9  Real-World Deployment Study   153 The Background and the Industry   153 Project Hydra   154 The Common Information Model   157 Refining the TMF-SID into Services   158 Carving Up the TMF-SID   160 Validating Consistency   162 Extending the TMF-SID objects   162 Pruning the Service Structures   163 Implementing the Integration Layer   163 Tools and Governance   164 Results   165 Chapter 10  Looking Forward   167 Where We Have Come From   167 Common Information Models Today   168 Thoughts for the Future   169 Concluding Remarks from the Authors   170 Appendix A  Industry Standards   171 Telecommunications Models   171 Finance Models   172 Utilities Industry   172 Appendix B  Non-Functional Behavior   173 Reliability and Availability   173 Performance Efficiency: Time Behavior Requirement   175 Performance Efficiency: Resource Utilization, Capacity Requirement   176 Compatibility Requirement   177 Maintainability Requirement   177 Security Requirement   178 Summary   179 Further Reading   181 Glossary   183 Index   195