Glossary

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

BLM Enterprise Architecture



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Glossary of Terms

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Activity Analysis

The analysis and measurement of units of work or tasks that define a process. Measurement can be in terms of time, cost, or output.

Activity-Based Costing (ABC): An accounting method used to identify and describe costs and resources for activities and tasks within a process.
As-is: Also known as "current". A model of the current structure (process, data, applications, technolgy). The baseline used for measuring the success of future changes or improvements.
Baseline: Information related to the as-is (current) model that allows comparison with future improvements and benchmarks.
BEA: BLM Enterprise Architecture
Benchmark: Standard point of reference used to define progress, improvement, or change.
BRM: OMB's Business Reference Model - Business functions, activities, and processes. Includes Business Area, Line of Business, Sub Function, and Work Activity.
BRM Tool: Assists with defining relationships to the BRM by showing linkages to BRM program elements and SFCs.
Business Case: Structured proposal that justifies a project for decision-makers. Includes an analysis of business process performance and requirements, assumptions, and issues. Also presents the risk analysis by explaining strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
Business Rules: Business rules describe what the business does and why, and provide a formal structure for understanding business operation.
BPI: Business Process Improvement - Systematic, disciplined approach to change. Critically examines, evaluates, and redesigns mission critical processes so as to achieve dramatic performance improvement in areas critical to customers, business owners, and stakeholders.
BPI Methodology: An integrated architectural approach to BPI that adapts to resource constraints, technological concerns, and organizational changes.
CIO: Chief Information Officer - the senior executive responsible for information management and information technology.
CMR: Corporate Metadata Repository
Comprehensive Process/Activity modeling: Helps identify the category that a process or activity is in.
Core process: A key or vital business process. These processes are critical to a business organization's success and survival.
CPIC: Capital Planning Investment Control - using available funds to achieve strategic goals and objectives.
CTAA: Conceptual Target-Application Architecture - a guidance that shapes application architecture.
Cycle time: The time between the beginning and end of a process.

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DEAR: DOI Enterprise Architecture Repository - A repository for taking in data in many formats and sizes, combining and comparing related data, and turning the data into useful information.
Decomposition: Breaking down a process into sub-processes, tasks, and activities.
DOI Solution Architecture: An architecture for DOI use to provide a total architecture solution.
DOI TRM: Interiors' Technical Reference Model - shows the actual technology and equipment the DOI uses for its mission.
DRM: OMB's Data and Information Reference Model - Data standards and models used by the services. Includes Physical Data Models, Logical Data Models, Conceptual Data Models, and Data Category.
EAI: Enterprise Architecture Initiatives - a priorities listing of architecture opportunities.
E-GIS: Enterprise Georgraphic Information System
ETRM: Describes products and services in use by the BLM today, but are exceptions to the DOI TRM.
FEA: Federal Enterprise Architecture - A business-based framework for government improvement (PRM, BRM. SRM, TRM and DRM).
Function: Related activities that are part of a process or a subprocess. Most organizations are divided into functional areas; for example, purchasing, accounts payable, data architect, and process architect.
IDEF modeling: Activity-based modeling method; used in the BPR process.
IEA: Interior Enterprise Architecture
Infrastructure: Servers, storage, networks, desktops, phones, operating systems, databases, middleware.
IT: Information Technology - acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of all types of information using computer technology and telecommunication systems.
ITIB: Information Technology Investment Board - is the governing board for executive input, recommendations, and decisions Bureau-wide.
ITIL: Information Technology Infrastructure Library - set of concepts and techniques for managing IT infrastructure, development and operations.
LOB: Line of business - the classification of businesses utilized in an industry.
MBT: Methodology for Business Transformation.
Mobile Computing: Taking a computer and all necessary files and software out into the field.
Model: Graphic representation of a set of components of a process, system, data. A model is usually developed to facilitate understanding, communication, analysis, improvement, and/or replacement of the process.
Modeling: Graphic representation of the activities, tasks, subprocesses within a process and their relationships to one another.
Outcome: Result--expected and unexpected--of use or application of an organization's output.

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Performance gap: The gap or difference between what customers and stakeholders expect and what each process and related subprocess produces. Defined in terms of quality, quantity, time, and costs related to products and services performed.
PRM: OMB's Performance Reference Model - Mission, strategy, goals, and objectives that drive the architecture.
Process: Set or group of activities that produce products and services for customers.
ROI: Return on investment - the income that an investment provides.
SME: Subject Matter Expert - a specialist in a specific area.
SRM: OMB'a Service Component Reference Model - Service components or capabilities. Includes Service Layer, Service Type, and Service Component.
Subprocess: A set of related activities and tasks within a process.
Stakeholder: Individual or group with a "stake" or interest in the success of delivering or maintaining the viability of a business's products and services. Stakeholders influence programs, products, and services.
Swimlane Modeling: Maps processes and organizations.
System Architecture: Systems and their building blocks. Includes System, Subsystem, System Component, and Security Data.
TAA: Target Applications Architecture - guidance for assessing out-dated and expensive IT systems.
TAG: Technical Advisory Group - Integrated team of SME contractors and SME BLM employees for the specific component architecture being updated during the TAG session.
TRM: OMB's Technical Reference Model - Technology that performs the services, and standards. Includes Service Access, Service Framework, and Service Platform. The document that defines the BLM’s IT architecture, both current and target future, as well as IT standards and security.
Value-added: Activities or steps that add or change a product or service as the process develops. These are activities or steps the customer views as important.
Workflow: Graphic representation of the flow of work in a process and its related subprocesses. Includes activities, information dependencies, and the sequence of decisions and activities.
Zachman Model: An enterprise architecture modeling framework created by John Zachman.