JISC

The University of Manchester, Staffordshire University, City College Manchester, Franklin Consulting
September 2004

Executive Summary

This Frameworks Scoping Study is the first stage in what will be a series of studies that aim to develop a common framework for the JISC Domain and a toolset and corresponding method for planning the development and operation of the JISC Frameworks

This study aims to set out the conceptual and methodological bases for this work and to put in place the first stages of the development of the toolset. It seeks to follow the principle of being requirements led and, following current practice in the JISC frameworks and elsewhere, of being model driven.

The study was undertaken around a modelling approach that sought to resolve the JISC framework models and provide the basis for a common framework. The model that was developed provided the basis for defining a metadata set to describe JISC services and projects and their functional elements. Much of the work of the project was in collecting a set of data describing these elements and the data collection process raised issues of quality, model definition and vocabulary that needed to be resolved.

A working model of the JISC domain was produced which proved robust in accommodating the three JISC frameworks and in providing a basis for the design and development of a visual planning tools set.

Severe problems were encountered in attempting to rationalise the records of requirements of users. It was clear that there is a serious conceptual and operational mismatch between the vision of user requirements and the reality. This aspect of the study was curtailed but the method for analysing requirements in the planning process was pursued. Additionally there are severe problems of data quality in the records relating to JISC services and projects. These issues need to be resolved as a condition of achieving the vision of a common JISC Domain Framework.

A set of tools was developed for designing and holding the domain model and for holding and using the domain data. The tools, selected on the basis of industry practice, cost and usability, are integrated into a working suite that provides a rich array of visual representations of data.

The JISC planning process,   use case and scenario analyses provide the basis for exploring the use of the toolset and for setting this use in a context. The outcome is a proof of concept of the approach and the methods as well as of the domain model.

The study provides a number of clear and substantial recommendations for JISC to take the work further and to undertake other studies that are necessary to support the vision of a common framework for all the domains as a basis for management and planning of JISC development activities.