The roadmap for DNF illustrates the components that must be in place in order for the Digital National Framework to meet its objectives. Click on the boxes for more information on each component, and details about progress to date.

The Essential Components of DNF

The DNF Model

Basic Principles

The basic principles of good data management underpin everything in the Digital National Framework. For more information on these, look at the section on The 5 Principles of DNF.

Reference Model

Work is in progress on a DNF Reference Model – reference in the sense that it is a model that:

• describes possible configurations of the elements within scope
• shows major components and relationships
• indicates overall scope
• provides a framework in which development can take place
• independent of particular technologies and physical implementation.

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Object Model

An object model is being developed in order to define the “properties of a DNF object”. This will, for example, formalise the fact that every object in the Digital National Framework must have a unique identifier, a version number, must be classified, etc… along with some optional components which will be defined in order to promote consistency between datasets.

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Association Models

A number of application models are being developed by industry experts through working groups. These will define how DNF associations should be managed in specific areas, such as land and property or highways.

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Coordinate Systems and Transformations

The Digital National Framework will potentially encompass a range of different coordinate systems, such as the British National Grid, the marine environent, Latitude/Longitude, GPS Coordinates, etc… In order to facilitate the integration of this information, transformations that support this will be referenced from the website.

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Identifier Management

Since unique identifiers are at the heart of DNF, a mechanism is needed to ensure that these identities are nationally unique. A registry of organisation prefixes is proposed, such that the combination + will always be unique within the Digital National Framework.

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Taxonomy

A key part of good data management is classification, and the Digital National Framework will tackle this initially with an online feature/object catalogue.

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Terminology

For ease of use, the plan is to keep a glossary of terms such that people will be supported by a consistent definition and meaning of the terms employed.

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Conformance

Conformance of any particular dataset will need to be measured against the DNF model.

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Metadata

Both object and dataset-level metadata will form part of dnf. At the object level, it will cover such information as lifecycle, status, key dates and ownership. Likewise similar information will also apply to datasets as a whole.

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Data Quality

Data quality will be stated as part of the dataset-level metadata. There will, however, be a drive to encourage reliable and fit for purpose quality levels in DNF across datasets.

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Data Exchange

In order to share data, there needs to be some kind of common transfer format that can be used in multiple systems. Since XML is emerging as the de facto standard in the information industry, a key stage on the DNF roadmap, after finalising the model, will be the development of a base XML schema to support data sharing between applications.

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Maintenance

An important aspect in the development of the Digital National Framework will be the synchronisation of data and feedback of change information. The DNF architecture will provide the foundation for this, and it will then be necessary to promote the use of it in a consistent way for change management and object lifecycle management.

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Guidance Documents

In addition to all the other aspects, it will still be necessary to provide guidance documents on how to overcome various challenges where a particular approach has proved successful. This will enable other organisations to adopt similar approaches and promote consistency.

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Standards

Existing ISO, CEN, BSI and OGC standards will be adopted and use where ever they are developed and proven in practice as appropriate in each of the elements of the roadmap.

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