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March 31, 2006
Preventing the Death of the IA
The one thing that we IAs need to remember is the long and painful death of the Data Architect. Very few will argue that with the advent of SOA, that Data Architecture is the last effort to get started and one of the first to get cut. Agreement of the validity of that decision would be another conversation. IAs need to be 100% sure they don’t get caught in the same egotistical trap that engulfed the DA’s. We must, repeat must not limit our definition or scope of IA to the obvious taxonomies and web content structures. Search, Collaboration, Ontologies, Intra and Internet, the left over remains of DA, Metadata, etc. Only by expanding and controlling the scope of IA will we be able to expand the role of the IA. The value-add and ROI of IA is everywhere once you begin to see it…
Posted by Todd at 9:20 PM
March 28, 2006
Exercise of Fools
One question that is asked over and over again is what is the difference between a Data Architect and an Information Architect. Of course, both are important and both are desperately needed in todays business environment. One obvious difference seems to emerge and that is that we data architects are hell bent on making things as complicated as possible. Perhaps thats our nature, perhaps thats our competitive advantage, or perhaps thats just how we see the world. And truth be known, information technology is complicated. Information architects focus on making things simple and easy to understand, find, and reuse. Tom Peters once commented on the complexities of business that we cannot help ourselves but to add confusion.
Addition is the exercise of fools, subtraction is the exercise of genius.
Posted by Todd at 11:57 AM | Comments (1)
Singularity of Metadata
The Singularity is a term used to describe an evolution of technology, biology, and our own capacity of understanding. On several occasions I have discussed the cycle of change in the world of technology. Specifically, how technology changes are coming faster and faster. At some point in time, we will be able to create change at the molecular level and basically do away with the physical creation of everything. The reality is that once you get to the molecular level, physical existence is simply a recipe; much in the same way our DNA is an instruction set for the creation of you. Convergence is inevitable and we already witnessed metadata moving away from the traditional database function to the content based value add. Specifically, organizations are beginning to utilize metadata for describing the full spectrum of assets within the organizations. New standards like ITIL are emerging to solidify the importance of tracking every asset; Asset Lifecycle Management. This convergence is only the second chapter of the entire novel of metadata.
Posted by Todd at 11:51 AM
March 20, 2006
Integrated Metadata Services
On my early morning run, ok more like a jog, ok more like a down hill walk with a back breeze, I was pondering what happens next. What happens when we finally agree on the standards of metadata and core mete-models for the various structures within the enterprise? This is already happening as our space matures and standardization infiltrates our daily work. Does the creation of value to move to the utilization, presentation, and value-add of the applications on the metadata? Well, what happens when that gets standardized and the value-add comes from the integrated services around the meta-models and applications. Hmm, perhaps we should move our value now before the pool gets too crowded: Integrated Metadata Services.
Posted by Todd at 11:53 AM
March 18, 2006
DmReview Online Column
Federated Agility is the natural progression of technology where everything is automated and every organization is integrated. This article describes the progression and the role metadata will play in this future scenario.
Federated Agility's Secret Ingredient
Posted by Todd at 1:10 AM
March 10, 2006
Semantic Technologies Conference
I find myself on a five hour flight reflecting on the Semantic Technologies Conference held in San Jose, CA. Clearly, I have seen a glimpse of the future where semantics drive business value and not just the core data. Like the early views of web technology, there doesn’t seem to be many true business cases for deploying semantic applications. The key user is still government agencies but other companies seem to be starting the process of technology review. Based on what I heard, the technology and conference has made great strides over the past year. If the next 12 months produce the same jump in maturity, we should see much more in the business value.
Posted by Todd at 11:33 AM
March 2, 2006
DMReview Magazine Article
The March issue of DMReview is in print and online. I was able to publish a view at how we can utilize the business strategies of others and actually implement them within our own metadata implementation. Specifically, I review the strategies of Dell, IBM, Harley Davidson, Lowes, Dutch Boy, Home Depot and many others. You might be amazed at what you can apply to the largest and smallest data management program.
Replicating the Business Strategy of Others
Posted by Todd at 1:36 AM
Book Review: The Big Moo
Seth Godin has brought together a collection of writers to publish a book that is not only fun to read but has some interesting value. One of my favorite quotes is from Steve Jobs: Artists Ship. The message is clear in this section that you can talk all day long about what should be done and why it should be done, but it’s the how that seems to create stagnation.
Read Book Review
Posted by Todd at 1:34 AM