Profile of Our Government Information Factory (GIF) Practice

Implementing an Architectural Framework for Building a GIF

Overview

Gavroshe USA Inc specializes in delivery of strategic intelligence solutions within the context of the Government Information Factory (GIF).  We are specialists in the Methods, Tools and Techniques which support a pragmatic approach to IT - one which strikes a balance between a Corporate Architecture view on the one hand, and the very real need to have quick effective systems implementation on the other hand. We have had a long-standing relationship with Bill Inmon (the father of Data Warehousing) and have found his Information Factory framework to be the only approach which consistently delivers success.

Gavroshe has been awarded a Federal GSA Contract Number - GSA #  GS-35F-0172N and a  State Term Contract 533979-0 with the State of Ohio. We are also certified by Bill Inmon as "Government Information Factory Architects".

What is the GIF?

The following section is excerpted directly from material authored by Bill Inmon:

“The GIF (Government Information Factory) is an architectural framework for building government information systems. It was created by Bill Inmon based on previous work done on the Corporate Information Factory.

“The GIF addresses the unique requirements of government information processing such as holistic, passive and proactive security, scalability, and sharability of data within and between government agencies. The GIF also provides a migration path to move from a stovepipe environment to a GIF environment where you have an enterprise-wide view of data.  In many regards, the GIF is the next generation of architecture for government entities.

 “The GIF framework encompasses both operational processing and informational processing. It also addresses the web environment, the interface to outside agencies, ETL, ODS, DSS, data mining and other processing, as well as the need for archival data and near-line data. 

“The GIF was started on Sept 15, 2001, inspired by the events of a few days earlier. The GIF is designed for all government agencies – Federal, State, local. The GIF is designed for both large agencies and small agencies. 

“The architectural structuring of government information systems is a difficult subject because there are many parameters that need to be factored into the architecture and balanced accordingly –

•  The need for merging and managing data across multiple government agencies.

•  The need for a holistic approach to security – looking at both break in and surveillance security.

•  The need for distributed metadata management and integrity of metadata across the enterprise.

•  The need for a “pathfinder” facility for the organization to be able to easily find data and reports.

•  The need to handle archival data in an efficient, reliable, agile and low cost manner.

•  The need for the management of technologies as a cohesive whole.

“In addition, the GIF must satisfy the classical information needs of the CIF which include –

•  Reconcilability of information when there are discrepancies.

•  Ability to respond to new and unknown requirements in an agile and timely manner.

•  Ability to store and use when needed historical data.

•  Ability to manage large amounts of data without overwhelming data volume & budget requirements.

•  Integration of data from many disparate sources.

•  The need to support data mining and analytical processing.

•  Ease of access of data.

“Those two sets of requirements – for both the GIF and the CIF – require a considerable balancing act. Architectural tradeoffs are made judiciously and the different components of the architecture are placed properly so that ALL objectives are met.

© Copyright Bill Inmon

”In building the GIF framework, many different factors had to be constantly kept in mind –

What is the cost of the framework? Creating a framework which is going to cost unrealistic amounts of money is an exercise in futility.

What technology is required?  Does the technology exist today? Is the technology likely to exist tomorrow? It makes no sense to create a framework that does not have a technology foundation of reality.

Is there a migration path from where an agency is at today to where the agency needs to be tomorrow? If you can’t get to where the framework tells you that you need to go, the framework is an exercise in futility.

Does the framework fulfill all the information needs of tomorrow’s government agency? If anything has been left out, then the framework is less than as effective as it could be.

Can the framework be used by non-engineering professionals? If the framework requires a Phd in mathematics and in physics then the framework is not going to be very successful because there are only so many people who are qualified to go around. On the other hand, the GIF does require normal professional information processing skills. An unreasonable set of personnel requirements and qualifications for implementation greatly limits the applicability of the GIF.

Are the levels of performance that the organization needs to operate going to be met?  If the transactions and processes which the organization runs on a daily basis are not going to be run in a timely manner, then the framework will fail.

“In many ways the government information factory is like a city planning map. The layout of where components need to be placed and how those components need to work with other components is what is found in the GIF. Like using a city map, building the city is a long term project. Also, like using the city map as a basis for building the city, the GIF can have first one component built, then another. The city can start to function as soon as the first part of the city is built. There is no need to try and build 100% of the city map before the city starts to become a useful place to live and work. The GIF is a high level framework that balances all of these objectives in a well thought manner. The GIF can be used immediately by the information executive to answer such questions as"

•  What should I build next?

•  Where are the pitfalls with today’s information systems?

•  How have other people solved the problems I am facing?

•  From a high level design perspective?

•  How should I structure things?

•  How can I achieve my objectives on a limited budget?

•  What does my long term vision look like?”

Our Approach to GIF

Gavroshe USA Inc is a premier Inmon Associates Inc Partner with a proven track record of Government Information Factory application success.  Gavroshe USA Inc uses proven techniques to:

•  Quickly analyze and predict stability and performance problem areas in the design and operation of large scale OLTP systems and associated Data Warehouse Environments.

•  Perform reviews of governance, program management and organizational issues, providing health assessments and preliminary recommendations in these areas.

•  Architect, design and implement integrated Government Information Factory Programs which are sustainable in the light of future growth and change.

We have successfully utilized GIF Concepts to structure a major multi-year Information Factory implementation at State Government level. Some testimonial comments from this customer include:

Timely Reports for Law-Enforcement Investigators

“Per a  Drug Utilization Review unit request, two files were created of all pharmacy claims selected restricted narcotics for two different pharmacies to be forwarded to an outside law-enforcement investigator for further review.  The request was completed in 24 hours. Normally it would take 2 weeks or more to get the reports……”

 Bureau of Plan Operations

“This is going to be a great tool for the PACT program.  I can't wait to have the system on my computer and to be trained to use it......The reports that we received were the best I have seen since I took over PACT in 1998.” 

Expired Recipient Reports

“Designed two new reports for the Drug Utilization Review unit in Surveillance Utilization Review (SURS) to identify any recipients who have died after receiving a pharmacy service for a particular time from either a pharmacy or a prescribing doctor.  These reports are being used to identify those patients who made have died as a result of a drug overdose or improper utilization of drugs.  Before the Pharmacy Data Mart was available, DUR investigators would have to rely on spotting the pattern from reviewing the MMIS on-line screens or review paper reports.  The new reports allow them to pinpoint those individuals whose cases should be examined more closely.”