Research Questions

• Is it possible to develop an integrated life-cycle model from the models generated by the UBC-DoD project for the creation and maintenance of records and those generated by InterPARES 1 for the selection and preservation of records?


• Is it possible to develop a consistent data model for all entities identified in such integrated model?


• Do the data collected from the case studies allow walkthroughs that validate the integrated life-cycle and entity models?


• Can modeling activities support the analysis of the individual case studies carried out within each focus?


• Can the case studies models, the integrated models, and the walkthroughs properly represent and communicate the findings of InterPARES 2?
  

Methodology

The Modeling Cross-domain investigated several modeling techniques, including Integrated Definition Function Modeling (IDEFØ), Data Flow Diagrams (DFDs), Unified Modeling Language (UML), and Entity Relationship Diagrams (ER). Ultimately, IDEFØ was chosen as the primary modeling technique for the Project. Using IDEFØ, the models of the UBC-DoD (The University of British Columbia and the US Department of Defense) project and InterPARES 1 were integrated into one unified model (UM). The modeling process took place at workshops and in between. Draft versions of the models were discussed with other working groups in InterPARES 2 as appropriate. The validation of the model’s walkthroughs were done by applying data from selected case studies. Apart from the UM, the business processes of the case studies were modeled to better understand the environment in which the information (records) was created and used. These activities resulted in IDEFØ activity models for most case studies.

Outcomes

• Two consultation draft unified models in IDEFØ:
1. The Chain of Preservation (COP) Model, which is a "records life cycle" model based on the perspective of the entity responsible for long-term preservation of digital records.
2. The Business-Driven Recordkeeping (BDR) Model, which is a "records continuum" model based on the perspective of the records creating entity.
• Reports on the walkthroughs
• Business process models (developed for most case studies)

Documents

• Public documents for the Modeling Cross-domain are located here.
• Model diagrams for both models are located here.
• Narrative descriptions of both models are located here.