B
Bachman diagram
Named after Charles Bachman, shows data using network or relational models. Also called a data structure diagram.
backup
- Verb. To take a snapshot copy of a system to ensure its continued availability in the event of a hardware or software failure requiring recovery of the database to restore the data.
- The copy of the system information and data used for recoverability.
backup, cold
A backup snapshot taken while the system is offline.
backup, hot
A backup snapshot taken while the system is online.
backward recovery
SEE recovery, backward.
backwards compatible
- Adjective. Able to accept input from older or earlier versions of a device or software.
- Adjective. Operational on older technology, even if limited in functionality.
Balanced ScoreCard (BSC)
A strategic performance management tool consisting of a semi-standard structured report supported by proven design methods and automation tools that can be used by managers to keep track of the execution of activities by staff within their control, and monitor the consequences arising from these actions. It provides a comprehensive, top-down view of organizational performance measurements with a strong focus on vision and strategy, based on concepts developed by Robert Kaplan and David Norton.
Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence
Criteria used to evaluate the qualification of companies for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award; leading management practices used to measure organizational performance in seven categories: Leadership, Strategic Planning, Customer & Market Focus, Human Resource Focus, Process Management, “Measurement and Analysis and Knowledge Management”, and Results.
bandwidth
The rate of transfer of data over a specific channel. SEE ALSO capacity.
bar chart
SEE chart, bar.
Barker data modeling notation
SEE data modeling notation, Barker.
base table
- In Data Warehousing, the normalized data structures maintained in a Data Warehouse, in contrast to the de-normalized dependent data mart tables sourced from the base tables.
- Outside of Data Warehousing, a table for an entity that is not dependent on any other entity in the database.
base unit
The unit used as the basis of an index number, or to which a constant series refers, examples; base period, base weight, base currency
Basel Accords
International banking supervision standards designed to ensure the liquidity of financial institutions doing business in European Union countries. Developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, and implemented in 2006 as Basel II New Accords. Basel III is currently under development.
behavior
What something does at any point in time. The execution or carrying out of a process constitutes behavior. Behavior is something that happens, as opposed to something that is. Opposite of state.
believability
Confidence in inherent truthfulness.
bell curve
A statistical frequency distribution pattern that is shaped like a bell (narrow at ends, wide in the middle of the range). SEE ALSO normal distribution.
benchmark
A point of reference for measurement, comparison, and evaluation. A benchmark can be a standard of excellence or a point-in-time snapshot measurement for comparison with other benchmarks. A benchmark may be an internal or external measurement.
benchmarking
Verb. To analyze and compare an organization’s processes (an internal benchmark) against the performance to those of another organization or against an industry standard (an external benchmark).
best practice
A technique, method, process, discipline, incentive, or reward generally considered more effective at delivering a particular outcome than by other means.
beta release
A release of software to a limited population under controlled conditions, to test for functionality completeness and execution correctness.
beta test
Alternate form: beta-test
SEE test, beta.
bias
- Generally, a distortion of something to support a particular view.
- In data analysis, a distortion of data or information that affects the interpretation, or a distortion of interpretation that supports a particular view.
bias, collection-based
A distortion of fact interpretation based on sole use of data provided by or pre-selected by the sponsor of the research, which may be skewed toward a certain result, rather than being completely objective.
bias, sampling
A distortion of fact interpretation due to non-random selection of sample contents.
bias, search-based
A distortion of fact interpretation based on sole use of data that supports the desired outcome, rather than a complete data set.
bias, use-based
A distortion of fact interpretation by only using the results that support the desired outcome, and ignoring or not displaying the other results.
bi-directionally named
Adjective. Using a naming convention for binary relationships where the relationship is described twice, in sentences, once with one entity named as the subject paired with the other entity as the object of a sentence, and the other in reverse order.
big data
Data volumes that are exceptionally large, normally greater than 100 Terabyte and more commonly refer to the Petabyte and Exabyte range. Big data has begun to be used when discussing Data Warehousing and analytic solutions where the volume of data poses specific challenges that are unique to very large volumes of data including: data loading, modeling, cleansing, and analytics, and are often solved using massively parallel processing, or parallel processing and distributed data solutions.
bilateral exchange
- Generally, an exchange of something between a sending organization and a receiving organization where all aspects of the exchange process are agreed between counterparties.
- In data management, an exchange of data and/or meta-data between a sending organization and a receiving organization where all aspects of the exchange process are agreed between counterparties, including the mechanism for exchange of data and meta-data, the formats, the frequency or schedule, and the mode used for communications regarding the exchange.
Bill of Information (BOI)
The information and relationships that document the entire life cycle of a product; includes the associated product information (administrative, programmatic, technical, and financial) and its location.
bill-of-material
A list of raw materials down to the atomic level necessary to create a final item.
binary
- Adjective. Consisting of two components or values.
- The format of a compiled and linked program that is ready to execute on a specified system.
BInary digiT (BIT)
A unit of measurement for data based on the binary number system using zero and one.
binary relationship
SEE relationship, binary.
bioinformatics
Alternate form: bio-informatics
The application of information technology to molecular biology.
bitmap index
SEE index, bitmap.
Bits Per Second (BPS)
The amount of bits transferred per second over a conduit or connection.
block index
SEE index, block.
blocking
The situation where one process locks a resource that another resource needs. The second resource is 'blocked'.
blog
A type of website containing regular entries of commentary, notes on events, or links to graphics or video. Short for 'web log'.
Body of Knowledge (BOK)
The sum of all professional knowledge in a given field, or what is generally accepted to be true.
Body of Knowledge, Business Analysis (BABOK)
A body of knowledge document available from the International Institute for Business Analysis. (DAMA-DMBOK Guide, 1st edition, pg. 11.)
Body of Knowledge, Business Process Management Common (BPM CBOK®)
A body of knowledge document created by the Association of Business Process Management Professionals.
Body of Knowledge, Canadian Information Technology (CITBOK)
A project undertaking by the Canadian Information Processing Society to outline the knowledge required of a Canadian Information Technology Professional. (DAMA-DMBOK Guide, 1st edition, pg. 11.)
Body of Knowledge, Common (CBK)
Published by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium. contains the information tested to achieve the Certified Information Systems Security Professional designation. (DAMA-DMBOK Guide, 1st edition, pg. 11.)
Body of Knowledge, Data Management (DAMA-DMBOK)
A guide to knowledge about data management, or at least that which is commonly accepted as true about data management. SEE DAMA-DMBOK Guide.
Body of Knowledge, Guide to the Project Management (PMBOK®)
An acronym and registered trademark for the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, a publication by the non-profit Project Management Institute (PMI) and an internationally recognized standard (IEEE Std 1490-2003) defining the fundamental vocabulary of project management and identifying generally accepted project management practices. First published in 1987, the current third edition was released and copyrighted in 2004. The PMBOK® Guide is the ANSI standard for project management (ISO 9906 and PRINCE2 are related project management standards).
Body of Knowledge, IT Architect (ITABOK)
A body of knowledge document created by the International Association of Software Architects.
Body of Knowledge, Personal Software Process (PSPBOK)
Developed by Carnegie Mellon University, a body of knowledge on Personal Software Process and Team Software Process.
Body of Knowledge, Software Engineering (SWEBOK®)
The Guide to the Software Engineering Body of Knowledge, a book published by the IEEE. (DAMA-DMBOK Guide, 1st edition, pg. 11.)
bookmark
A marker used to save a place in a book, a data set, or an Internet address.
Boolean
Adjective. Relating to or of an algorithm or calculation that results in only a True or False result. Named for George Boole.
Boolean operator
Logical operators that combine propositions to evaluate to only a True or False result. Includes AND, OR, IF THEN, EXCEPT, and NOT.
Boolean search
A search method using Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to focus the search.
Boston Consulting Group matrix (BCG)
Alternate forms: BCG matrix, Boston box
SEE chart, portfolio.
box and whisker diagram
SEE chart, box plot.
box plot chart
SEE chart, box plot.
Boyce/Codd Normal Form (BCNF)
braking mechanism
In databases, a software function that prevents users from querying a database once transaction loads reach a certain level.
brick
In architecture, a common term for technology architecture components. (DAMA-DMBOK Guide, 1st edition, pg. 140.)
bridge of negotiation chart
SEE chart, bridge of negotiation.
bridge table
SEE table, bridge.
b-tree index
SEE index, b-tree.
bubble chart
SEE chart, bubble.
bulk data transfer
A software mechanism to move large data files which uses compression, blocking and buffering to optimize transfer times.
bullet chart
SEE chart, bullet.
bus architecture
SEE data warehouse bus architecture.
bus matrix
In Data Warehousing, a tabular representation of the intersection of shared dimension tables with data subject areas, data processes, data facts, data marts, etc.
business
- Generally, any purposeful activity.
- Specifically, a commercial or industrial enterprise. Commercial activity engaged in as a means of livelihood.
business activity
A set of methods or procedures that may be executed in the form of transactions relative to a business. SEE ALSO activity; business process.
Business Activity Monitoring (BAM)
The ability to automatically monitor events in an executing business process through immediate notification thanks to a sophisticated technical infrastructure.
business analysis
- The study of business processes, practices and business systems requirements.
- The application of information to better understand business opportunities and challenges. SEE ALSO Business Intelligence.
Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK)
SEE Body of Knowledge, Business Analysis.
business analyst
- Generally, a knowledge worker responsible for interpreting data, performing calculations, and distributing reports to other knowledge workers.
- In data management, a professional responsible for understanding the business processes and the information needs of an organization, for serving as a liaison between IT and business units, and acting as a facilitator of organizational and cultural change. Also known as a business systems analyst or systems analyst.
business analytics
Meta-data that includes data definitions, report definitions, users, usage statistics, and performance statistics.
business architecture
business case
A structured format for organizing the reasons, benefits, and estimated costs for initiating a project or program.
Business Concepts
Zachman Framework row name, matches Executive Leaders as Owners.
business continuity
The degree of uninterrupted stability of an organization’s systems and operations in spite of potentially disruptive events.
business data
Data about people, places, things, rules, events, or concepts used to operate and manage any enterprise (not just commercial enterprises). Used to identify data that is not considered to be meta-data.
business data steward
A knowledge worker, business leader, and recognized subject matter expert assigned accountability for the data specifications and data quality of specifically assigned business entities, subject areas or databases, but with less responsibility for data governance than a coordinating data steward or an executive data steward.
business driven data resource
A data resource where the design, development, and maintenance are driven by business needs, as defined by the business information demand. (Brackett 2011)
business entity
SEE entity, business.
business event
A happening in the real world, such as a sale, purchase, fire, flood, accident, and so on. (Brackett 2011)
business event happening
The actual happening of a business event, such as a specific sale, a purchase, a fire, a flood, an accident, and so on. (Brackett 2011)
business feature
A trait or characteristic of a business object or business event, such as a customer's name, a city population, a fire date, and so on. (Brackett 2011)
Business Image Management and Multimedia (BIMM)
A course studying design, import, and manipulation of text, graphics, audio, and video used in presentation management and publishing systems.
business information demand
An organization's continuously increasing, constantly changing need for current, accurate, integrated information, often on short notice or very short notice, to support its business activities. It is a very dynamic demand for information to support the business that constantly changes. (Brackett 2011)
Business Intelligence (BI)
A set of concepts, methods, and processes to improve business decision-making using any information from multiple sources that could affect the business, and applying experiences and assumptions to deliver accurate perspectives of business dynamics. (Brackett 2011)
Business Intelligence administrative data
Alternate form: BI administrative data
The data that helps a Data Warehouse administrator manage a Data Warehouse, such as user profiles and data access history.
Business Intelligence analyst
Alternate form: BI analyst
An IT professional specializing in assisting and supporting business professionals become more self-sufficient in the use of query, reporting and analysis procedures and tools. A BI analyst trains knowledge workers, assists them in solving more complex analytical and reporting problems, provides second level support for user problems with Business Intelligence data and tools, and may serve as the administrator for the BI environment.
Business Intelligence architect
Alternate form: BI architect
An IT professional with overall responsibility for the Business Intelligence environment, its architecture, and the effectiveness of knowledge workers engaged in Business Intelligence. A lead BI analyst. May also be the Data Warehouse architect, or these responsibilities may be distinct.
Business Intelligence architecture
Alternate form: BI architecture
SEE architecture, Business Intelligence.
Business Intelligence developer
Alternate form: BI developer
An IT professional software developer who specializes in report writing and/or the development of analytic applications.
Business Intelligence environment
Alternate form: BI environment
The hardware, software and organizational support for Business Intelligence activity that enables knowledge workers to access, analyze and manipulate data. It generally includes the Business Intelligence software, user interfaces, associated infrastructure hardware and software, data mart databases and multi-dimensional data cubes. It may also include Data Warehouses and the data integration programs that provide data for Business Intelligence.
Business Intelligence platform
Alternate form: BI platform
The infrastructure of selected enabling tools and technologies necessary for the development and deployment of Business Intelligence applications.
Business Intelligence Service Provider (BISP)
An Application Service Provider providing Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence capabilities as outsourced services hosted offsite. A BISP ties into source information systems and databases behind a corporation's firewall, providing traditional Data Warehouse and analytic application capabilities to internal knowledge workers and external customers. Often used to extend Business Intelligence functions into e-commerce.
Business Intelligence software
Alternate form: BI software
Technology and products (tools) used by knowledge workers to access data, analyze and share information, understand business performance and improve decision-making. Includes query and reporting tools, OLAP technologies, statistical analysis tools, data mining tools, scenario modeling tools, planning and budgeting tools, advanced analytic applications, dashboards and scorecards for performance monitoring, and enterprise reporting tools. BI software is the current term for the current generation of decision support tools.
Business Intelligence support
Alternate form: BI support
The training and assistance available to business professionals in use of Business Intelligence tools and techniques, and the valid interpretation of Business Intelligence data. Typically, a help desk provides Level 1 support, with BI analysts providing Level 2 support.
Business Intelligence Value Chain
A sequence of events where value is added from the data resource, through each step, to the support of business goals. (Brackett 2011)
Business Intelligence, mobile
Alternate form: Mobile BI
The distribution of business data to mobile devices such as Smartphone and tablet computers.
Business Intelligence, social
Alternate form: Social BI
The creation, publishing, and sharing of custom business analytics reports and dashboards by end users of “Cloud” technologies.
business key
SEE key, business.
business meta-data
SEE meta-data, business.
business model
A current or future state representation of some aspect of an enterprise, typically from a process, data, geographic, event, organizational or financial perspective.
business object
A person, place, thing, or concept in the real world, such as a customer, river, city, account, and so on. (Brackett 2011)
Business Performance Management (BPM)
An umbrella term for the methods, metrics, processes, and systems used to monitor and manage the performance of any enterprise.
Business Performance Measurement (BPM)
The use of techniques and tools to measure performance against specific key performance indicators, often coupled with comparative information from industry sources. Dashboards support business performance measurement. The Balanced Scorecard is a specialized form of business performance measurement.
Business Performance Modeling (BPM)
The use of techniques and tools to understand business the factors affecting business performance, and to explore “what if” scenarios to help consider the implications of alternative courses of action. SEE ALSO scenario modeling.
business process
A process that is intended to contribute to the overall value of an enterprise. The complex interactions between people, applications, and technologies designed to create customer value. A process is composed of activities.
business process architecture
SEE architecture, business process.
Business Process Execution Language (BPEL)
Standards for defining process flows using web services.
Business Process Execution Language for Web Services (BPEL4WS)
Standards for defining process flows controlled by web services.
Business Process Management (BPM)
The design, monitoring, and control of complex interactions between people, applications, and technologies designed to create customer value.
Business Process Management Common Body of Knowledge (BPM CBOK®)
SEE Body of Knowledge, Business Process Management Common.
Business Process Maturity Model (BPMM)
Developed by the Object Management Group, defines maturity levels for business processing from Initial through Managed, Standardized, and Predictable, to Innovating.
Business Process Model (BPM)
A model of the functions, activities, and procedures performed in any organization. A business process model may consist of:
- A context diagram showing the relationship of the overall process to those outside the model’s scope, along with the inputs to and outputs from the overall process,
- One or more functional decomposition diagram showing how the overall process is made up of contributing processes at lower levels (a “vertical view”),
- One or more process flow diagrams showing how the outputs of one process serve as the inputs to other process (a “horizontal view”). The process flow may be cross-functional or within a single function,
- One or more business process model diagrams, each depicting the inputs, outputs, start and end events, component activities, roles, and metrics of a single process,
- The business definition of each process, and
- The value chain analysis of the process, identifying relationships to data, organizations, roles, and systems.
business process model diagram
Alternate form: BPM diagram
A stylized approach to graphically documenting the definition, objectives, start and end events, inputs, outputs, component activities, roles and metrics of a single process. Sometimes referred to as a context diagram, but a BPM diagram includes more information than a traditional context diagram.
Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN)
A standard for graphical representation of business processes maintained by the Object Management Group.
Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)
A form of outsourcing that involves transferring responsibilities for entire specific business functions or processes to a third party provider.
Business Process Re-engineering (BPR)
The process of analyzing and radically transforming existing business activities, eliminating or minimizing costs and maximizing value in order to achieve breakthrough levels of performance improvement.
business professional
A knowledge worker, manager, or executive.
business requirement
business rule
SEE rule, business.
business systems analyst
A professional responsible for understanding the business processes and the information needs of an organization, for serving as a liaison between IT and business units, and acting as a facilitator for organizational and cultural change. Also known as a systems analyst.
Business Systems Planning (BSP)
A method for defining an enterprise architecture and information systems architecture developed by IBM in the early 1980s.
business transaction
An event involving the exchange of products, money, and/or information.
Business, Applications, Technology, Organization, and Governance (BATOG)
An acronym for a list of core IT Architecture concerns, put forth by EDS in 2008 as a business foundation for technology planning.
Business-to-Business (B2B)
Commerce transactions between equivalent businesses, such as between a wholesaler and a retailer.
Business-to-Consumer (B2C)
Commerce transactions between a business and a consumer, such as in a retail sale.
Business-to-Government (B2G)
Commerce transactions between a business and a governmental body, such as between a business and an elected water commission.
byte (b)
- A single character of data stored electronically in 16 binary bits. A datum.
- The term originally coined by IBM with the announcement of the 360 series of computers in 1974. Originally consisted of 8 bits, and could be used to store a single character, digit, or two decimal digits (“packed decimal”), or in combination could be used to store numbers. ASCII and EBCDIC are the two dominant character coding schemes based on 8 bits.