The document discusses using a multi-dimensional data model to organize both documents and databases for information management. It proposes using dimensions like ownership, operating concepts, lines of development, and perspectives to categorize data. By applying this framework to both document folder structures and database designs with foreign keys, a unique coordinate system can be created to locate any data element across both documents and databases. This allows complex search requests that span both document libraries and databases to be answered more efficiently.

1. The Organisation As A System An information management framework The Performance Organiser Data Dimensions

2. Data Dimensions One of the principal aims for information management is to put in place arrangements to store data in its atomised form in unique, retrievable locations so that it can be converted on demand into the meaningful information decision takers require.

3. Data Dimensions Information managers may not be responsible for quality of content, but they are responsible for ensuring that as far as possible, the data they are asked to store has been verified for accuracy and validated for the form it takes.

4. Data Dimensions The difficulty information managers face is the diversity of the forms of data they must manage best exemplified by documents and databases... Documents are normally stored on the basis of one file per document. Databases are used to store large volumes of recorded data but may be contained in a single computer file

5. Data Dimensions Both data forms are searchable, but different search methods are used for each and often different cataloguing mechanisms are applied that that do not, by their nature, support cross referencing. As a consequence searching databases and document libraries in a way that both can be used on a mutually supportive basis is difficult.

6. Data Dimensions From the perspective of location, the key to successful retrievable storage is a system of co-ordinate definition and management that can be applied to any form of data.

7. Data Dimensions The way data is stored in a databases relies on the concept of key fields, typically expressed in numeric form that form part of the data structure of a record. The way files are stored on a computer relies on concept documents grouped into folders or libraries. The combination of folder structure and file name giving a file location

8. Data Dimensions In design terms, both folder structures and database designs are often represented as schematics that present a map of each type of data source. Data table one Data table one Design Accounts Production Goods In Stores Etc

9. Data Dimensions Maps are schematics that describe location using a numbered co-ordinate system to uniquely reference the feature illustrated on it. The co-ordinate system used in most maps is two dimensional Eastings Northings 8,8

10. A two dimensional co-ordinate system does not reflect the richness of data and therefore some form of multi dimensional approach to referencing data locations is required that can be applied to both database designs, document library folder structures and file names so that both can be cross referenced using the same nomenclature. Data Dimensions

12. The First Dimension, Ownership In All Organisations, there is usually some form of organisation or management structure designed to facilitate control and communication Data Dimensions Mgr Mgmnt Mgr Strmn Engr Mgr Dept 1 Strmn Engr Mgr Dept 1 Strmn Engr Mgr Proj 1 Strmn Engr Mgr Proj 2

13. Data Dimensions The Second Dimension: Operating Concepts While organisations may have a structure for formal communication channels, it is often the case that the form of reports passed round the organisation are based on operating concepts and reporting requirements.

14. Charter Mission Data Dimensions Vision Strategic Objectives Objective Objective Objective Process Process Process Process Process Process Process Process Process Policy Governance Assurance

15. Data Dimensions The Third Dimension: Activity Strands or Lines of Development The organisation chart may define primary function, but it is often the case that there are support activities and processes that cross organisation boundaries (training for example) that are common in principle and in practise.

16. Time Data Dimensions Logisitics Finance Governance Sales Programmes R&D Initiative Groups Decisive Points Along Time Lines Produce The best Widgets Vision

17. The Fourth Dimension: Influencers Influencers are those factors or activities that are not core and may be imposed by external bodies, that have an impact that should be measured, on the behaviour of the organisation Data Dimensions

18. The Organisation As A System Influencers Concepts Policy Governance Quality Audit Data Databases Documents The Web Disciplines Plans Risk Issues Lessons Legislation Finance Stakeholders The Law Performance Quality Assurance Time Cost Customers

19. The Fifth Dimension: Perspectives Perspectives are views of the organisations activities often seen in management reporting consoles like dashboards or balanced scorecards that are used to logically group management information Data Dimensions

20. The Performance Organiser Integrating Business Methodologies Economic (Accounting Measures) Efficient (Benchmarking etc.,) Evolution ( Legislation, Modification Programmes ) Effective (Customer Satisfaction )

21. Data Dimensions Together: A Multi Dimensional Location Matrix When built in to database design structures, document library folder structures and file meta data, the dimensions for a referencing matrix with which it is possible to locate any data element as the cartesian product of the cross referencing of two or more dimensions

22. Data Dimensions A 3d view, but add as many dimensions as you like Ownership - LOD LOD - Concepts Concepts - Ownership Fact Table LOD Table Dimension Foreign Key LOD Folders File Tags Lines of Development Org Table Organisation Folders Dimension Foreign Key Fact table File Tags Ownership Concepts Table Fact Table File Tags Concepts Folders Dimension Foreign Key Operating Concepts Multi Dimensional Addressing

23. Data Dimensions In database designs, dimensions are implemented as look up tables the primary keys of which form foreign keys in primary data tables Dimension Look Up Data table one

24. Data Dimensions In document libraries, dimension titles become folder names For each For each Organisation Structure (Ownership) Design Accounts Production Goods In Stores Etc Operating Concepts Policy Governance Assurance Quality HR Etc Lines of Development Training Finance Admin R&D

25. Data Dimensions and, form part of the file profile tags or meta data. Which, together with a standard naming convention, will give a unique file location which will also include an indication of the nature of content of individual files.

26. Data Dimensions A multi dimensional data model, applied to both documents and database structures gives an information manager the means the answer complex search requests like: “ Give me a financial breakdown of the R&D department and provide me with the documents related to training matters in the branch” And do so more efficiently as reporting specifications can be quickly turned into data co-ordinates which can be used to locate files held in folders or data held in database tables.