4.6 The Information Catalogue

4.6.1 Overview

For some reason, the importance of an Information Catalogue is not understood and realized.

It should be used from the early stages of a Project to record the major Players, Roles and Responsibilities and so on.

Then as the Project progresses, information will be added that define the details of such things as Data Sources, Tables, Fields, Rules for Validation and Transformation and Mappings from source to target

4.6.2 Best Practice

Responsibility for the Information Catalogue must be clearly identified early on.

This is Responsibility includes keeping track of progress in signing-off milestones, Project documents and so on.

Systems Generation

In the context of Systems Generation, the Information Catalogue can play a very important role in supporting three activities related to systems generation :-

• Application Generation
• Data Mart Specifications
• Creation of Reports based on Templates

‘In the Clouds’

The Information Catalogue will be stored ‘in the Clouds’ so that it will be accessible to anyone, at any time and from any place using any device.

Data Model

This diagram shows the Data Model for the Information Catalogue, including an interface to Salesforce Objects and Custom Objects.

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4.6.3 Templates

A ‘Business Information Template’ is included in this Presentation by Barry on a Strategy for Information Mgt which outlines the -

- http://www.databaseanswers.org/presentations/info_mgt_strategy.ppt

4.6.4 Tools

Tools include :-

· Microsoft Excel Spreadsheets

· Microsoft Access Databases

· Any enterprise-level Database to support publication over a Web Site

4.6.5 Tutorials

Here’s another useful Presentation by Barry on a Strategy for Information Mgt which outlines the -

- http://www.databaseanswers.org/presentations/info_mgt_strategy.ppt

The Presentation includes description of a ‘Business Information Template’.

Here is a step-by-step Tutorials for the Information Catalogue :-

Step 1. Identify who will own the Information Catalogue.

Step 2. Establish the roles and responsibilities of everybody involved.

This will usually include keeping track of progress in signing-off milestones, Project documents and so on.

Step 3. Define procedures to keep the Information Catalogue up-to-date as the Project progresses,

This will include information adding details of such things as Data Sources, Tables, Fields, Rules for Validation and Transformation and Mappings from source to target.

Step 4. Agree sign-off procedures at appropriate intervals.

4.6.6 How do I ?

4.6.6.1 Publish the Information Catalogue ?

It is good to start with a Spreadsheet and then move to a stand-alone Access Database before finally migrating to an internet-based Database which is published on a Web Site.

4.6.7 Qualities for Success with an Information Catalogue

To be successful in maintaining and publishing an Information Catalogue it is beneficial to enjoy detail and to have an interest in ensuring that all interested parties are on the same Page.

It is also useful to have an eye for detail and to have an appreciation for the way in which the separate Components within the Information Catalogue are interrelated.