C

C4.5 algorithm

Ross Quinlan's algorithm to generate decision trees for classification.

cache hit

A state when a data request can be supplied from data within a cache, rather than directly from disk storage.

cache hit ratio

A measurement of how often data in cache is used versus data accessed from disk.

call center

The part of an organization that handles inbound/outbound telephone or email communications with internal and/or external customers. An IT help desk is a call center for customers of the IT department.

campaign management

Detailed tracking, reporting, and analysis that provides precise measurements regarding current marketing campaign efforts, their performance, and the types of leads they attract.

Canadian Information Technology Body of Knowledge (CITBOK)

SEE Body of Knowledge, Canadian Information Technology.

candidate key

SEE key, candidate.

candidate primary key

A primary key that has been identified and considered as a primary key, but has not been verified. (Brackett 2011)

candlestick chart

SEE chart, candlestick.

canon

An accepted principle or role; a body of principles, rules, standards, or norms. (Brackett 2011)

canonical

Adjective. Conforming to a general rule or acceptable procedure reduced to the simplest and cleanest scheme possible. (Brackett 2011)

canonical model

A data model of the inherent structure of data without regard to applications, hardware, or software implementations. Built according to specific canons. Usually a result of canonical synthesis.

canonical synthesis

The concept that if everyone followed the canons (rules) for developing a data model, then those independent data models could be readily plugged together, just like a picture puzzle, to provide a single, comprehensive, organization-wide data architecture. (Brackett 2011)

Capability Maturity Model (CMM)

The common name for the Capability Maturity Model Integration and its more widely known predecessor, the Capability Maturity Model for Software, both published by the Software Engineering Institute of Carnegie-Mellon University. The CMM is a guide to improve an organization's software development process, featuring defined practices used to rank an organization at one of five process maturity levels.

Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI)

The most current system development process capability maturity model from the Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie-Mellon University. The CMMI replaces several older related maturity models, including the original Capability Maturity Model for Software (SW-CMM), the Systems Engineering Capability Model (SECM), and the Integrated Product Development Capability Maturity Model (IPD-CMM). The latest version of the CMMI, version 1.02, was released by the SEI in 2002.

capacity

The maximum amount that can be held, contained, or processed at one time.

cardinal number

A number measured on a scale with an arithmetically meaningful zero point. Generally used to measure quantities or volumes. Can be manipulated by all the binary operators: exponentiation, multiplication and division, addition and subtraction, comparison (e.g., less than), matching, and Boolean. SEE ALSO ordinal number; interval number; nominal number.

cardinality

The number of entities or members in a set.

Cartesian

Adjective. Related to the philosophy or mathematical method put forth by René Descartes.

Cartesian coordinates

The use of a set of points on a set of axes in order to show location or proximity.

Cartesian product

Alternate form: Cartesian join

In data processing, given two or more populations, the Cartesian product is the set of all possible combinations, taking one value from each population. Usually a large and meaningless answer set for an incorrectly phrased query. SEE ALSO query from hell.

cartogram

SEE chart, cartogram.

cartography

The study and practice of making maps or globes. Maps function as visualization tools for spatial data. Most quality maps are now made with geographic information system (GIS) software and databases.

cascade chart

SEE chart, cascade.

cascade delete

The declaration made on a hierarchical (1:M) relationship between parent and child, that a request to delete a parent instance will also result in deleting the related child instances. Usually associated with a foreign key (which defines a hierarchical relationship), with the referring entity table (where the foreign key is stored) being the child and the referenced entity table is the parent.

Cascading Style Sheet (CSS)

A tag language that enables authors to associate formatting style (fonts, spacing and aural cues) to structured documents including HTML and XML applications.

case study

An evaluation of an instance of a process to determine what environmental or inherent attributes drove success or failure of the process.

catalog

1. Generally, a complete list of things, usually arranged systematically.
2. In databases, the component of a DataBase Management System where meta-data about DBMS objects is stored. Most relational DBMS products keep the catalog as relational tables. The majority of meta-data in a DBMS catalog is technical meta-data (names, types, lengths, occurrences, keys, etc.) collected automatically by the DBMS software, although business definitions can be added as comments. A catalog is an active data dictionary.

category

The generic term for items at any level within a classification.

category scheme

Scheme made up of a hierarchy of categories, which may include any type of useful classification for the organization of something.

causal loop diagram

SEE chart, causal loop diagram.

cause-effect chains

SEE chart, cause-and-effect diagram.

cell

1. Generally, any small compartment.
2. In multi-dimensional design, a data point defined by one member of each dimension of a multi-dimensional structure. Often cells in multi-dimensional structures are empty, leading to 'sparse' storage.

Center Of Excellence (COE)

A team of people that promote collaboration and using best practices around a specific focus area to drive business results.

Center of Excellence, Data Management

A centralized Data Management Services organization of data management professionals.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The part of a computer that reads, interprets, and performs instructions.

central-point cartogram

SEE chart, distance cartogram.

certificate

1. A token of authorization or authentication.
2. In data security, a computer data security object that includes identity information, validity specification, and a key.

certification

The process of reviewing something to verify it meets established standards.

Certified Business Intelligence Professional (CBIP)

A professional designation offered by The Data Warehouse Institute, using examinations developed and delivered by the Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals.

certified data

Passed data quality review, certifying it meets established standards.

Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP)

A professional certification program offered by DAMA International, using examinations developed by DAMA and the ICCP. Exam administration and delivery is handled by the ICCP.

chain of custody

The documentation of ownership of something, from capture, through possession, storage, and management, to disposition. This is especially important for compliance documentation. SEE ALSO data provenance.

chaining

1. Verb. To connect a series of commands or responses.
2. In cryptography, a method of encryption where each block defines or contributes to the encryption of the following blocks.

change control

The process of coordinating changes to a system, to minimize change-related errors and therefore improve data quality and system availability. Proposed changes need to be reviewed and evaluated for related impacts, grouped and scheduled, implemented and migrated through various test environments before being implemented into the production environment. Database change control disciplines are a very important responsibility of database administrators.

change data capture

The process of capturing changes made to a production data source. Change data capture is typically performed by reading the log file of the Database Management System of the source database. Change data capture consolidates units of work, ensures data is synchronized with the original source, and reduces data volume in a Data Warehousing environment.

characteristic

1. A distinguishing feature or quality. (dictionary.com based on Random House Dictionary)
2. Adjective. Pertaining to, constituting, or indicating the character or peculiar quality of a person or thing; typical; distinctive. (dictionary.com based on Random House Dictionary)
3. An abstraction of a property of an object or of a set of objects.

characteristic entity

SEE data entity, dependent.

chart

A visual representation of data, using shapes, colors, symbols, graphs, images, tables, diagrams, etc. to show patterns, relationships, or ideas, that makes it easier to understand, or gives context to create some form of information.

chart, affinity diagram

A form of visualization that shows patterns of ideas or data, by grouping them by topic or some attribute they share.

chart, area

A chart showing multiple lines from left to right, each which define the top line of an area within the chart. The areas are marked with colors, textures, and/or hatching. The areas may be overlapping or stacked.

chart, area cartogram

A chart that uses a geographic map of the world with the size of countries or their subdivisions distorted by the value of a property of that area such as population.

chart, argument slide

A diagram showing analysis of a claim in the form of a children's slide, where the premises and facts support the claim at the top of the slide, and consequences are represented by the actual slide, showing outcomes at the bottom of the slide.

chart, bar

A chart that shows bars to illustrate frequencies or values for individual categories.

chart, box plot

A chart that displays five values of a measurement where the median and quartile values are the center and edges of a box, and the lowest and highest values are the ends of lines extending from the box.

chart, bridge of negotiation

A diagram illustrating steps necessary for two disparate positions to come to a consensus in a middle area, crossing some gap between them, usually illustrated by a bridge over a river or chasm.

chart, bubble

A chart showing two dimensions on horizontal and vertical axes, and a third dimension in the size of the points.

chart, bullet

A variation of the bar chart, these feature a single, primary measure, compared to one or more other measures, such as a target or a quantitative scale, and displayed in qualitative ranges (poor, fair, good, etc.) by using variations of hue for a single color (which is helpful for colorblind eyes). These long narrow graphs can be grouped to save space, especially on web forms or dashboards.

chart, candlestick

A chart showing bars representing range of value change within a point's time interval.

chart, cartogram

A chart consisting of a geographic map modified to show some measurement of the map's area, contents, or qualities. Modifications can be to color or to proportional size. There are two types, area cartograms and distance cartograms.

chart, cascade

A chart with the X-axis showing a unit of measure and the Y-axis showing a rate per unit. Boxes show the result of X units x Y rate for a specific segment, such as customer. Tall thin boxes above the X-axis are desirable, long short boxes above the X-axis are less desirable, boxes below the X-axis are undesirable.

chart, causal loop diagram

A visual representation of a system's feedback loops, where positive loops cycle clockwise, and negative loops cycle counter-clockwise.

chart, cause-and-effect diagram

A chart that links an outcome to chains of possible contributing factors as tree structure working backwards from an event to determine possible root causes, drawn sideways so that it resembles the skeleton of a fish. Because the chart resembles the skeleton of a fish, it is often called a fishbone diagram. A quality improvement concept invented by the Japanese statistician Dr. Karu Ishakawa.

chart, class diagram

A type of diagram that shows a system's classes, contents, attributes, and relationships, including inheritance. UML is a common format for a class diagram.

chart, collaboration diagram

A representation of objects and their links to each other, sometimes including time and/or sequence of relationships. Numbers show the sequence of activities or messages.

chart, component diagram

A visual representation of the parts of a whole, usually a system, with sequences of dependencies between components shown.

chart, concentric circles

A form of visualization showing nested subsets of a set as circles within other circles, such as cities in states in countries in a total population, each level represented as the area of one of the circles.

chart, concept fan

A form of visualization where a concept is decomposed into components to the right, 'fanning' out levels.

chart, concept map

A form of visualization showing relationships among concepts as arrows between labeled boxes, usually in a downward branching hierarchy. SEE ALSO data model, conceptual.

chart, cone tree

A form of visualization that takes a tree diagram and turns it into a three-dimensional circle of attributes radiating from a parent.

chart, control

A graphical device for tracking process performance over time.

chart, coxcomb

SEE chart, polar area.

chart, Critical Path Method (CPM)

A form of visualization of the critical path for a set of interdependent activities, showing the longest discrete path through the tasks with the longest duration.

chart, cycle graph

Alternate form: cycle diagram

A form of visualization showing cycles of a concept's stages, phases, or process steps in a clockwise path around a circle.

chart, data map

A form of visualization using a geographic map with overlaid data shapes using colors to illustrate ranges of values for each geographic block.

chart, decision tree

A graph of decisions and their possible consequences (including resource costs and risks) used to create a plan to reach a goal. Decision trees are constructed in order to help with making decisions. A decision tree is a special form of tree structure. Regression trees approximate real-valued functions (e.g., estimate the price of a house or a patient's length of stay in a hospital). Classification trees define the logic for categorization using Boolean variables such as gender (male or female) or game results (lose or win).

chart, distance cartogram

A chart consisting of a geographic map modified to show some relative travel times between points in a network.

chart, Edgeworth box

A form of visualization showing one pool of two fixed resources shared by two entities. Each point shows a possible division of resources between the entities. Curves can be drawn between points of equal value to both parties according to the value associated with each resource.

chart, event tree

A form of visualization that follows a process from a desired input through possible system events to final consequences. SEE ALSO chart, fault tree.

chart, fault tree

Alternate form: failure tree

A form of visualization showing top-down, deductive analytical steps through Boolean logic gates to all possible failure states.

chart, force field diagram

Alternate form: forcefield diagram

A form of visualization where a topic is in the center, and forces for and against the topic are listed on each side.

chart, functional decomposition

An outline or hierarchy diagram depicting the hierarchical decomposition of processes into their component processes. A functional decomposition can be depicted vertically as an outline or horizontally as a hierarchy chart.

chart, funnel

A form of visualization where inputs are drawn entering through the large end of a funnel, and outputs are drawn leaving the small end.

chart, Gantt

A horizontal bar chart used in project management; a graphical illustration of a schedule that helps to plan, coordinate, and track specific tasks in a project. Named for Henry Gantt.

chart, heat map

A chart where one set of values is represented by areas of rectangles, and other sets of values are represented by colors. invented by Professor Ben Shneiderman at the University of Maryland. Used to look at large, fast-changing sets of structured data. In this chart, the size of a rectangle reflects its importance, and color conveys the speed of change. Heat maps are often used in applications to monitor and analyze changes in stock market and portfolio data in financial services applications. SEE ALSO chart, tree map.

chart, heaven and hell

A graphic way to show positive and negative effects of some system or action, by illustrating the positive items at the top as 'heaven', and the negative at the bottom as 'hell', and neutral items in the center.

chart, house of quality

A form of visualization that resembles a house, showing interactions between 'whats' and 'hows', including 'hows vs. hows' as the triangular roof. Each comparison is a cell containing an evaluation as positive, neutral, or negative. Additional annexes on sides and bottom may include whys, how muches, etc.

chart, hype-cycle

A form of visualization that divides the process of adoption of something into five cycles: Trigger, Peak, Trough, Slope, and Plateau.

chart, hyperbolic tree

Alternate form: hypertree

A form of visualization where a tree is displayed as a node-link diagram in a circular manner radiating out from the root rather than only descending.

chart, iceberg diagram

A form of visualization that has a medial line dividing attributes into two categories: visible, and invisible (or hidden). The visible attributes are listed above the line (the visible part of the iceberg); the invisible attributes are listed below the line.

chart, Kagi

A chart showing movement of a value regardless of time, based solely on some time-independent criteria.

chart, layer

Shows the decomposition of some object or system by exposing internal layers sequentially.

chart, lifecycle diagram

A form of visualization of a process or system over time compared to value at each point in time, grouped into four stages: R&D/initiation, ascent, maturity, and decline.

chart, line

A chart that shows ordered points connected by a line to show trends.

chart, Magic Quadrant (MQ)

A form of visualization that uses a quartered chart comparing companies selling similar products according to their completeness of vision and ability to execute on that vision. The quarters are Leaders (high on vision and execution), Challengers (high on execution, low on vision), Visionaries (high on vision, low on execution), and niche players (low on both vision and execution). Developed by Gartner, Inc. to evaluate vendors in specific market segments.

chart, marimekko

Alternate form: mekko chart, matrix chart, eikosogram

A chart with the X-axis showing a list of values within a category (such as a list of business units) where the width is each bar's relative magnitude compared to the others and the Y-axis showing percentages or ratios. Each value is then a stacked area chart with each area shown as a percentage of the total for that X value.

chart, metro map

A form of visualization showing the progression of a topic, showing points of interest as subway or bus stops on a route to a current state.

chart, Open-High-Low-Close (OHLC)

A chart showing movements in a value over time at different points within each time grain, using both lines and bars. This chart shows values for high and low separate from those for start and end of each time period point on the chart.

chart, organization

A form of visualization showing the structure of an organization using trees and levels to show relative hierarchies of teams or individuals.

chart, parallel coordinates

A form of visualization showing a series of vertical parallel lines representing dimensions or axes, and horizontally oriented lines intersecting points on those exes. During development, the ordering of the vertical axes may need to be shifted to better show patterns in the coordinates.

chart, Pareto

A chart showing both bars and a line, where the line shows the cumulative total of the individual bars going left to right.

chart, performance charting

A form of visualization using a series of horizontal lines, each representing an evaluation range of a specific quality. A set of processes or performances are evaluated against the lines, and the points of the evaluations are connected into a line for each process or performance.

chart, perspectives

A form of visualization resembling looking down into a box, with the floor of the box being the main topic, the left and right sides representing positive and negative input or experiences, the lower side representing prior knowledge or experience, and the top side representing open questions or issues.

chart, petri net

Alternate form: place/transition net, P/T net

A form of visualization for distributed systems, using bars and circles to represent events and conditions respectively. Directed arrows show the path between the events and conditions in the system.

chart, pie

A chart that shows percentages as sectors (slices) of a circle, resembling a pie.

chart, polar area

A chart showing a circle with sectors, using radius length of sectors to show relative differences. May have multiple sections to each sector to compare multiple values.

chart, Porter's five forces

A framework for evaluating strategic positions, suing five forces: threat from competitors, threat of substitute products or services, bargaining power of customers, bargaining power of suppliers, and barriers to entry. Named for Michael Porter.

chart, portfolio

A quartered plot chart used most frequently to determine priorities in business, using growth rate on one axis and market share as the other. Creates four categories: stars (high growth and market share), cash cows (low growth, high market share), dogs (low growth and market share), and question marks (high growth and low market share).

chart, process flow

A visual representation of how control moves between logical processes (how the end state of a process serves as the start state for other processes).

chart, radar

A chart representing three or more quantitative values represented on radial axes of a circle.

chart, rich picture

A form of visualization that represents complex or ill-defined topics by using diagrams, images, sketches, metaphors, icons, or other pictorial representations and linking them to each other and to short text descriptions to show understanding of a topic.

chart, scatter plot

A two-dimensional representation of values of a data set. Usually used to show dependency of one uncontrolled variable vs. another controlled variable.

chart, semantic network

A form of visualization consisting of vertices (concepts) and directed or undirected edges (relationships).

chart, sequence

A representation of the time sequence of objects participating in a process over time. Swim lane diagrams are a form of sequence diagram.

chart, snaky

A specific type of flow diagram in which the width of arrows is proportionate to the flow quantity or size.

chart, spark line

A chart showing trends and variations of multiple measurements over time in one chart.

chart, spectrogram

A form of visualization using time-varying image that shows the spectral density of a signal over time, using horizontal axis as time, vertical axis as frequency, and hue of the representation as amplitude.

chart, stakeholder map

A form of visualization where a project is in the center, and stakeholders are illustrated in terms of proximity of responsibility to the project. Internal stakeholders are above a central line through the project, external stakeholders below the line.

chart, stakeholder rating map

A form of visualization using a quartered chart to show stakeholders in terms of importance and influence.

chart, stock and flow

A visual representation of a system where quantities of something travel through the system from point to point over time.

chart, strategy map

A form of visualization used to document strategic goals from multiple perspectives.

chart, supply demand curve

A form of visualization which plots price vertically and quantity horizontally. The supply curve (usually trending upward left to right) shows the price per quantity offered by a supplier. The demand curve (usually trending downward left to right) shows the price per quantity desired by consumers. Equilibrium is the intersection of both curves.

chart, swim lane

A form of process flow diagram that shows involvement over time within the process for multiple equivalent actors, such as teams, departments, systems, etc.

chart, technology roadmap

A form of visualization that matches goals of different time horizons with the specific technologies necessary to meet or enable those goals.

chart, temple diagram

A form of visualization showing an image with a foundation, and two or more pillars supporting a roof, with or without a cloud of distantly related topics. The foundation contains fundamental elements, the pillars group supporting elements, and the roof includes overarching topics that cover all the pillars/groups.

chart, timeline

A chart showing a horizontal line or bar containing points labeled with dates and/or events.

chart, tree

A method of representing a hierarchical set of data in a graphical form, with fewer nodes at the either the top (i.e., descendent genealogy) or bottom (i.e., ancestor genealogy).

chart, tree map

Alternate form: treemap

A chart where one set of values is represented by areas of rectangles, and other sets of values are represented by colors. invented by Professor Ben Shneiderman at the University of Maryland. Used to look at large, fast-changing sets of structured data. In this chart, the size of a rectangle reflects its importance, and color conveys urgency (blue shades for positive, red shades for negative). SEE ALSO chart, heat map.

chart, use case diagram

A form of visualization showing actors and roles when interacting with objects in defined scenarios. UML or flow charts are common formats for use case diagrams.

chart, vee diagram

A form of visualization that shows a problem, the steps to planning a solution, and then steps to evaluate the results afterwards. Shaped like a V, hence the name.

chart, Venn diagram

A form of visualization that shows all potential logical relationships between a finite set of objects. Used most often to illustrate the concepts of UNION, INTERSECTION, and EXCLUSIVE OR of sets.

chart, waterfall

A chart that shows cumulative effects of sequentially applied values.

check digit

An extra digit added to a computer code to check accuracy, calculated from the other digits in the code. SEE ALSO parity.

checkpoint

1. A synchronization step between a data system and an application where all changes to the data system are recorded to disk and noted as complete.
2. A copy of the state of a system at a point in time.

Chief Data Officer (CDO)

A corporate officer who is responsible for managing the enterprise's data assets.

chief data steward

An executive data steward who serves as the chair of the Data Governance Council and as the primary business champion of a data management program.

Chief Information Officer (CIO)

A job title for the head of the Information Technology group within an organization. They often report to Chief Executive Officer. The prominence of this position has risen greatly as information technology has become a more important part of organizations.

Chief Knowledge Officer (CKO)

An organizational leader responsible for ensuring that the organization maximizes the value it achieves through the organization’s collective knowledge: their intellectual capital (including patents), the skills and experience of their people, the maturity of their processes, and their customer relationships. The CKO is responsible for managing these intangible assets through knowledge management, fostering innovation, sharing best practices, facilitating communication and avoiding knowledge loss after organizational restructuring.

Chief Risk Officer

Alternate form: Chief Risk Management Officer

The executive accountable for discovery and governance of significant risks (strategic, reputational, operational, financial, or compliance-related) and related opportunities to an organization. Data Governance is a form of risk management, and may be part of this executive's organization.

Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

An executive position focused on technical issues in an enterprise. In technical industries, the CTO heads research and development. In other enterprises, the term is sometimes synonymous with Chief Information Officer, while sometimes the CTO is subordinate to the CIO (with responsibility for the IT infrastructure), and sometimes the CTO is the superior of multiple CIOs across the enterprise.

circle graph

SEE chart, pie.

citizen

A person recognized as a member of a public state, with associated obligations and rights. Not the same as customer.

citizen advocacy

The perception that a government does what is best for its citizens, not just what is best for its own bottom line.

Citizen Data Integration (CDI)

Solutions for capturing and maintaining accurate, up-to-date data about individual citizens and delivering information in an actionable form “just in time” at citizen touch points. A specialized form of Master Data Management, focusing on citizen master data.

Citizen Relationship Management (CRM)

Establishing relationships with individual citizens and then using that information to treat different citizens differently. Census profiles and taxpayer analysis are examples of decision support activities that can affect the success of citizen relationships. Effective CRM is dependent on high quality master data about individuals and organizations (citizen data integration).

clarity

A measurement that evaluates freedom from obscurity or extraneous data.

class

Alternate form: classify

1. A type or category of things with common attributes. Members of a class conform to the definition of the class. Type and category are synonyms for class. Classes are the basis for object-oriented analysis, design, and development, where a class is roughly equivalent to an entity with the addition of described functional behavior. SEE ALSO method.
2. A set of objects that share the same attributes, operations, methods, relationships, and semantics.

class diagram

SEE chart, class diagram.

class word

A word used in an attribute's name to show what type of data is contained therein, usually applied at the end. SEE ALSO prime word.

class, attribute

In .net framework, associates information with a target element.

class, process

In .net framework, associates information with local system processes.

class, role

Represents the security level that can be assigned to users.

classic data warehouse development

The traditional, top-down comprehensive approach to implementing Business Intelligence, including: building an enterprise data model, defining the Data Warehouse architecture, designing and constructing the physical database, designing and constructing and testing extract-transform-load programs, and populating the database using current sources and historical data conversions. Used in contrast to incremental Data Warehouse development.

classification

1. Generally, a set of discrete, exhaustive, and mutually exclusive observations that can be assigned to one or more variables to be measured in the collation and/or presentation of data.
2. In data modeling, the arrangement of entities into supertypes and subtypes.
3. In object-oriented design, the arrangement of objects into classes, and the assignment of objects to these categories.

classification and regression tree (CART)

SEE tree, classification and regression.

classification framework

Organizes the structure and views that encompass enterprise architecture. (DAMA-DMBOK Guide, 1st edition, pg. 67.)

classification system

Arrangement or division of objects into groups based on characteristics that the objects have in common.

client

1. Generally, an existing or prospective customer.
2. In client/server systems, a device (desktop, laptop, PDA, etc.) that communicates with a server.
3. In client/server programming, a software program used to contact and obtain data from a server software program on another computer. Each client program is designed to work with one or more specific kinds of server programs.

client/server architecture

SEE architecture, client/server.

Clinger-Cohen Act (CCA)

A more familiar name for the Information Technology Management Reform Act, a United States federal law co-authored in 1996 by Congressman William Clinger and Senator William Cohen, designed to improve the way the federal government acquires and manages information technology. It requires departments and programs to use performance-based management principles for acquiring IT, and it mandates the use of a formal enterprise architecture for all federal agencies.

closed architecture

SEE architecture, closed.

cloud computing

An architecture in which all access to shared resources is provided on-demand via self-service internet applications. Formerly known as distributed computing. Can be used as a delivery mechanism for Software-As-A-Service and Hardware-as-a-Service.

cloud services

Services that are made available in a distributed computing (cloud) environment.

clustered index

SEE index, clustered.

clustering

Verb. To output a smaller data set based on grouping criteria of common attributes.

code

1. Generally, a language-independent set of letters, numbers, or symbols that represent a concept whose meaning is described in a natural language.
2. In software, the program language lines of instruction that make up software.
3. In data modeling, a shorthand key value representing the domain value of an attribute. Code sets are intensional domain value sets.
4. Verb. To represent data in a form that can be accepted by a data entry program.

code management

1. The definition and maintenance of coded data values, descriptions, definitions, cross references, parent-child rollups, and other relationships for the valid instances of limited (intensional) domains. Code management is a specialized form of Master Data Management. It is a key responsibility of operational data stewards, because it has a very significant impact on overall data quality. Code management typically includes an approval process for all code value additions, changes, and retirements.
2. The definition and maintenance of program code for the purposes of controlling development on production systems.

code table

A relational database table containing rows for each valid value in a finite domain. Code tables contain some form of encoded data values. Code tables are reference data, maintained through code management.

coded data value

Any data value that has been encoded or shortened in some manner. (Brackett 2011)

coding

The process of converting verbal or textual information into codes representing classes within a classification system, to facilitate data processing, storage, or dissemination.

coding error

1. The assignment of an incorrect code to a data item
2. In software, an error in program lines of instruction that make up software or data transformation routines

cohesion

A close working relationship between parts, complete enough when together to enable some degree of autonomy without other extraneous parts.

cold backup

SEE backup, cold.

collaboration diagram

SEE chart, collaboration diagram.

collation

The assembly of documents or data entities or attributes into a standard order, such as alphabetical.

column

In data modeling, a data attribute as implemented in a relational database as a vertical component of a table, similar to a field in a flat file record.

columnar database

SEE database, columnar.

column-oriented database

SEE database, column-oriented.

combined key

SEE key, composite.

comment

In data modeling, supplementary descriptive text which can be attached to data or meta-data.

Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS)

Acronym to identify software that is used as-is, without any customization.

commit

The SQL statement that concludes a unit of work (database transaction).

Common Body of Knowledge (CBK)

SEE Body of Knowledge, Common.

Common Data Architecture (CDI)

A single, formal, comprehensive, organization-wide, data architecture that provides a common context within which all data are understood, documented, integrated, and managed. It transcends all data at the organization's disposal, includes primitive and derived data; atomic and combined data; fundamental and specific data; automated and non-automated (manual) data; current and historical data; data within and without the organization; high-level and low-level data; and disparate and similar data. It includes data in purchased software, custom-built application databases, programs, screens, reports, and documents. It includes all data used by traditional information systems, expert systems, executive information systems, geographic information systems, Data Warehouses, object oriented systems, and so on. It includes centralized and decentralized data regardless of where they reside, who uses them, or how they are used. (Brackett 2011)

common data architecture

A representative of an actual common data architecture built by an organization for their data resource, based on the concepts, principles, and techniques of the Common Data Architecture. The term Common Data Architecture (capitalized) represents the vision, construct, and the concepts, principles, and techniques for developing and managing an organization's data resource. (Brackett 2011)

Common Gateway Interface (CGI)

A standard protocol that defines web server delegation of webpage generation to console applications, known as CGI scripts.

Common Object Model (COM)

Microsoft’s programming specification for object interoperability through sets of predefined routines called interfaces.

Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA)

The Object Management Group vendor-independent architecture and infrastructure for object-based programming interoperability. SEE ALSO Common Object Model.

common word

A word that has consistent meaning whenever it is used in a data name. (Brackett 2011)

communication diagram

A form of UML diagram that shows the interactions between objects or parts in terms of sequenced messages. Each message is numbered regardless of its placement on the diagram, so that the reader can follow the path by following the numbers sequentially.

Community Of Interest (COI)

SEE Data Management Community of Interest.

comparability

The extent to which differences between statistics can be attributed to differences between the true values of the statistical characteristics.

Complex Event Processing (CEP)

An emerging technology for building and managing information systems. The goal of CEP is to enable the information contained in the events flowing through all of the layers of the enterprise IT infrastructure to be discovered, understood in terms of its impact on high-level management goals and business processes, and acted upon in real time. This includes events created by new technologies such as RFID.

complex fact data attribute

A data attribute that contains any combination of multiple values, multiple facts, and variable facts, and might be formatted in several different ways. (Brackett 2011)

compliance

1. The act of agreement to follow external government or industry regulations.
2. The process of conforming, completing, performing or adapting actions to meet the rules, demands, or wishes of another party.

component

1. A discrete object or entity that is a part of a larger system.
2. A modular part of a system that encapsulates its content, and whose manifestation is replaceable within its environment. (Object Management Group 2008, pg. 146.)

Component Assemblies

Zachman Framework row name, matches Technicians as Implementers.

Component Content Management System (CCMS)

A content management system that manages low-level objects (image, table, etc.) rather than higher-level documents.

component diagram

SEE chart, component diagram.

composite attribute

SEE data attribute, composite.

composite key

SEE key, composite.

composite model

A model that includes other models and the relationships between them.

composite partitioning

SEE partitioning, composite.

compound key

SEE key, composite.

compound primary key

A key that contains multiple home data attributes in their home data entity. (Brackett 2011)

comprehensive

Adjective. Covering completely or broadly. (Brackett 2011)

comprehensive data definition

A data definition that provides a complete, meaningful, easily read, readily understood definition that thoroughly explains the content and meaning of the data with respect to the business. (Brackett 2011)

Computer Aided Software Engineering (CASE)

Sometimes more broadly referred to as Computer Aided Systems Engineering. The use of software tools (CASE tools) to assist in the development and maintenance of software. All aspects of the software development lifecycle can be supported by software tools, so tools for project management, business and functional analysis, system design, code storage, compiler translation and testing can all be considered CASE tools. CASE tools are typically tools concerned with analysis and design. Sometimes planning and analysis tools are referred to as “upper CASE” tools, while lower level design, code generation, configuration management and testing tools are called “lower CASE” tools. The term CASE is used less frequently today, however, data modeling tools and UML object modeling tools today can still be considered CASE tools.

Computer Aided Software Engineering management

Alternate form: CASE management

An old-fashioned term for the management of meta-data between the encyclopedias of multiple CASE tools, of the same type or different types.

Computer Aided Software Engineering tool

Alternate form: CASE tool

Automated modeling tools for used model-driven systems planning, analysis, design, and development. “Upper CASE tools” are modeling tools used for planning, analysis, and high-level logical design. “Lower CASE tools” are used for program design, code generation, version control, and testing. Data modeling tools may be both upper and lower CASE tools. Object modeling tools using UML represent the latest generation of CASE tools.

Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI)

The application of computer graphics to video and printed media.

Computerized Patient Record (CPR)

SEE electronic health record.

concatenated key

SEE key, composite.

concentric circles

SEE chart, concentric circles.

concept

A unit of knowledge created by a unique combination of characteristics.

concept fan

SEE chart, concept fan.

concept map

SEE chart, concept map.

Conceptual Data Model (CDM)

SEE data model, conceptual.

conceptual model

SEE model, conceptual.

concise

Adjective. Including only necessary parts; not including unnecessary details or attributes.

concurrency

The simultaneous execution of processes against the database.

concurrency control

The control of process contention for resources within multi-process systems.

concurrency transparency

The ability of one process to see information about other processes that are executing at the same time.

conditional data structure rule

A data integrity rule that specifies the conditional data cardinality for a data relation between two data entities when conditions or exceptions apply. It specifies both the conditions and exceptions with respect to the business, not with respect to the Database Management System. (Brackett 2011)

cone tree chart

SEE chart, cone tree.

Confidence Interval (CI)

The space between an upper and lower limit of a range, where there is a high probability of the inclusion of a particular value.

confidence level

A measurement of certainty that a statistical prediction is accurate.

confidentiality

1. Ensuring that information is accessible only to those authorized to have access. ISO-17799.
2. In data security, a property of data indicating the extent to which their unauthorized disclosure could be prejudicial or harmful to the interest of the source or other relevant parties.

configuration management

A generic term that is often used to describe the whole of the activities concerned with the creation, maintenance, and control of databases and their environments.

conformance

Agreement to follow internal policies, standards, procedures, and architecture requirements.

conformed dimension

A dimension that means and represents the same thing when linked to different fact tables.

conformity

1. The state of being similar to accepted standards or to the attributes of peers.
2. The process of becoming similar to the attributes of peers or to a standard.

connected

The characteristic of a graph in which there exists at least one path from every node to every other node in the graph.

consensus

The agreement of a group to a decision, judgment or definition, when all stakeholders present can say, “I can live with it.”

consistent

Adjective. Uniformity or agreement among things or parts of things. Having internal logical and numerical coherence; having no internal contradiction.

consolidation

The process of combining and aggregating data from different systems and possibly disparate formats to create a unified view of information.

constraint

1. Generally, a restriction on a business action and the resulting data. For example, “only wholesale customers may place wholesale orders.”
2. In data management, a specification of what may be contained in a data or meta-data set in terms of the content or, for data only, in terms of the set of key combinations to which specific attributes (defined by the data structure) may be attached, and how. Examples of how include dependency (must have at least one), exclusivity (at most one; non-overlapping), subset, or equality.

constraint, domain

A type of constraint on an attribute that defines the values that may be assigned, through limits, lists, or ranges.

constraint, key

A type of constraint on a data set that restricts the combinations of attribute values according to certain rules (uniqueness, etc.)

content

1. The information contained within documents and web pages.
2. The name of a DCMI element set (Coverage, Description, Type, Relation, Source, Subject, Title). SEE ALSO Dublin Core Metadata Initiative.

content management

The processes, techniques, and technologies for organizing, categorizing, and structuring of information resources so that they can be stored, published, and reused in multiple ways. Content management is a critical data management discipline for data found in text, graphics, images, and video or audio recordings.

content management system

A system used to collect, manage, and publish information content, storing it as components or whole documents, while maintaining the links between components. It may also provide for content revision control.

content mashup

SEE mashup, content.

content neutrality

Alternate form: vendor neutral

A DAMA policy stating its intention to avoid reference to specific technology vendor firms and their products.

context

1. Generally, facts or circumstances that relate to a situation or event.
2. In software design, the minimal set of data required for a task that allows interruption and resumption of the task without error.

contextual model

SEE model, contextual.

contextualization

The process of adding language to signal relevant aspects of an event or data attribute.

contingent relationship

SEE relationship, contingent.

continuous availability

A ready state of functionality that seeks to guarantee computing system operation despite any challenging event. Continuous availability requires seamless availability during any planned or unplanned event and seamless recovery of applications, data, and data transactions committed prior to the event.

continuum

Shows the transition of a topic from one extreme to the other, and all interesting points in between. Usually shown on a double-headed arrow, with each end being one extreme.

contributor

DCMI element in element set Intellectual Property: an entity that contributes to a resource. SEE Dublin Core Metadata Initiative.

control

The mechanism used to maintain acceptable performance of a process.

control activity

In the DAMA-DMBOK Functional Framework, a supervisory activity performed on an on-going basis. SEE ALSO activity group.

control chart

SEE chart, control.

control data

Data that guides a process, such as indicators, flags, counters, and parameters.

control limit, lower

The minimum or earliest acceptable value in a range of acceptable values.

control limit, upper

The maximum or latest acceptable value in a range of acceptable values.

Control OBjectives for Information and related Technology (COBIT)

Standards for IT governance, published by the IT Governance Institute, and available online at www.aisca.org/cobit. CobiT standards are organized into five subject areas, including Resource Management.

controlled vocabulary

A defined list of explicitly allowed terms and their definitions. The organization of a controlled vocabulary into a parent-child hierarchy is a taxonomy.

conversion

1. In systems, the migration from the use of one application to another.
2. In data management, the process of preparing, reengineering, cleansing and transforming data and loading it into a new target data structure. Typically, the term is used to describe a one-time event as part of a new database implementation. However, it is sometimes used to describe an ongoing operational procedure.

cookie

An identifier used by a web application to associate a present website visitor with their previous activity with that company.

cooperative processing

A style of application processing in which the presentation, business logic, and data management are split among two or more software services operating on one or more computers. In cooperative processing, individual software programs (services) perform specific functions that are invoked by means of parameterized messages exchanged between them.

coordinating data steward

A business data steward with additional responsibility for

copyright

The set of exclusive privileges granted to an author, creator, or owner of a work, allowing control of use of that work, including copying, distribution, and adaptation of the work.

Corporate Information Factory (CIF)

An architecture promoted by Bill Inmon that describes the complete data lifecycle within an organization through multiple layers and components of architecture in order to satisfy both operational and analytical needs.

corporate performance management

SEE business performance management.

correlation

A predictive relationship between two factors, such that when one factor changes, you can predict the nature, direction and/or amount of change in the other factor. Not necessarily a cause-and-effect relationship.

correlation database

SEE database, correlation.

correlation regression

A function that describes the correlation of the values of a data set to a line.

Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA)

Comparison of the estimated value of business benefits over time to the estimated cost of expenditures required to realize these benefits.

coverage

DCMI element in element set Content: the topic, jurisdiction, or spatial scope of a resource. SEE Dublin Core Metadata Initiative.

covering index

SEE index, covering.

Coxcomb chart

SEE chart, polar area.

Create-Read-Update-Delete (CRUD)

A list of the only functions of data in persistent storage, in a convenient acronym form.

Create-Read-Update-Delete matrix

Alternate form: CRUD matrix

An information value chain analysis tool, documenting that a given organization, role, process or application “Creates”, “Reads”, “Updates”, and/or “Deletes” data in a given subject area, entity or attribute. CRUD matrices are the vehicle for information value chain analysis. There are many different kinds of CRUD matrices. Each establishes the linkage between a data model and another model (data-to-process, data-to-organization, or data-to-application).

creation date

The date on which the record, data or meta-data item was created.

creator

DCMI element in element set Intellectual Property: an entity that is responsible for the first existence of a resource instance. SEE Dublin Core Metadata Initiative.

Critical Path Method (CPM)

SEE chart, Critical Path Method.

Critical Success Factor (CSF)

One of the few most important prerequisite conditions necessary for an enterprise to reach its goals.

cross-functional

Adjective. Interest in data or process by more than one organization in an enterprise.

cross-sell

The practice of suggesting the purchase of a related product to customers who are already making a purchase.

cross-tabulation

Cross-referencing of data from one or more sources for analysis or reporting.

cube

SEE data cube.

currency

1. A medium of exchange, usually a form of money.
2. Monetary denomination of the object being measured.

currentness

The degree to which data represents reality as of a point in time.

currentness date

Alternate form: currency date

A date when the data is considered valid. Also known as the “as of” date.

customer

A person or organization whose needs are important to the enterprise or person, and whose satisfaction with the products and services provided by the enterprise determines its success, failure, and effectiveness. SEE ALSO citizen.

customer advocacy

The perception that an organization does what is best for its customers, not just what is best for its own bottom line.

Customer Data Integration (CDI)

Solutions for capturing and maintaining accurate, up-to-date data about individual customers and delivering information in an actionable form “just in time” at customer touch points. A specialized form of Master Data Management, focusing on customer master data. SEE ALSO Citizen Data Integration.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

Establishing relationships with individual customers and then using that information to treat different customers differently. Customer buying profiles and churn analysis are examples of decision support activities that can affect the success of customer relationships. Effective CRM is dependent on high quality master data about individuals and organizations (customer data integration). SEE ALSO Citizen Relationship Management.

cyber marketing

Any type of Internet-based promotion through web sites, targeted e-mail, Internet bulletin boards, e-commerce, and online social networking mechanisms.

cyberspace

A metaphoric abstraction for a virtual reality existing inside computers and on computer networks. The de facto term for the Internet during the 1990s, coined by science fiction writer William Gibson, who referred to it as “a consensual hallucination experienced daily by billions of legitimate operators in every nation”. While cyberspace should not be confused with the real internet, a web site might be said to “exist in cyberspace.” According to this interpretation, events taking place on the Internet are not therefore happening in the countries where the participants or the servers are physically located, but instead are happening “in cyberspace”.

cycle graph

SEE chart, cycle graph.

cycle time

The time required to execute a process from start to finish.