Purpose
This Implementation Profile for Information Resource Metadata (XML Encoding), also known as IRM-XML, is a statement of the Intelligence Community’s formal adoption of the Extensible Markup Language (XML) encoding from the Department of Defense Discovery Metadata Specification (DDMS), version 2.0, 17 July 2008 to encode information resource metadata in compliance with the approved Intelligence Community Standard (ICS) for Information Resource Metadata.
The DDMS defines information resource metadata elements for information posted to community and organizational shared spaces. Discovery is the ability to locate data assets (e.g., information resources) through a consistent and flexible search. The DDMS specifies a set of information fields that are to be used to describe any data or service asset that is made known to the enterprise, and it serves as a reference for developers, architects, and engineers by laying a foundation for discovery services.
This Implementation Profile references the DDMS documentation that describes the DDMS elements, their logical groupings, and provides XML implementation examples. The DDMS document does not provide an interchange specification or substantive implementation guidance; however, the DDMS XML Schema specifies the XML elements and attributes, associated structures and relationships, mandatory and cardinality requirements, and permissible values for representing the information resource metadata concepts using XML.
Needs and Requirements
Similar to the DoD Net-Centric Data Strategy (dated May 9, 2003), the IC desires improved capabilities to allow users and systems to find and access a wide-range of information resources throughout the enterprise. Information resource visibility, accessibility, and understandability are all critical to providing these capabilities. A successful information sharing enterprise depends on the ability of users and systems to locate and access information resources through a consistent and flexible search, or discovery capability. An enterprise-wide discovery capability will be greatly enhanced by the consistent “digital” description of all information resources. A common specification for the description of information resources allows for a comprehensive capability that can locate all resources across the enterprise regardless of format, type, location, or classification.
The DDMS elements as specified in this document, however, should provide a basis for organizations to begin planning, transitioning, and implementing metadata tagging initiatives that support the goal of increased data visibility and enterprise discovery.
Downloads
Version 1.0
- Complete Package
- Individual Artifacts
IpIrmXmlv1.0
IpBaseIrmXmlv1.0