Australian Government Architecture Reference Models Version 3.0

Term Definition
Australian Government
Locator Service (AGLS)
Metadata Element Set
[top]
The AGLS Metadata Standard is a set of 19 descriptive elements that agencies
can use to improve the visibility, accessibility and interoperability of their web
services. It has been mandated for use by Australian Government agencies.
AGLS is published as Australian Standard AS 5044. The Australian
Government Implementation Manual for AGLS Metadata provides practical
advice and direction for staff using the AGLS metadata set. It is maintained by
the National Archives of Australia. Further information can be found at
http://www.naa.gov.au/records-management/publications/AGLS-Element.aspx
Analytical Database [top] A database that contains structured data objects that support query and
analysis and that tends to be purposefully de-normalised and optimised for
query ease and performance.
Application Programming
Interface (API) [top]
A set of definitions of the ways one piece of computer software communicates
with another. It is a method of achieving abstraction, usually (but not
necessarily) between higher-level and lower-level software.
Architectural Pattern [top] A description of an archetypal solution to a recurrent design problem that
reflects well-proven design experience. (American Science Institute of
Technology)
Attribute [top] A characteristic of an Entity whose value may be used to help distinguish one
instance of an Entity from other instances of the same Entity. (DRM usage)
Authoring System
Repository [top]
A characteristic or property of an object, such as weight, size or colour. A
construct whereby objects or individuals can be distinguished. (WordNet)
A broad term related to document storage. At one extreme, an ‘authoring
system’ may be a digital camera. At the other, an authoring system may
implement a complex workflow used for the production of a formal publication.
In both cases, the products of an authoring system are documents. (DRM
usage)
BRM [top] See Business Reference Model.
BRM Business Area [top] The top tier of the BRM. Business Areas separate government operations into
high-level functional categories relating to the purpose of government (Services
for Citizens), the avenues through which the government provides services to
citizens (Service Paths), the support functions necessary to conduct
government operations (Services Support) and the resource management
functions that support all areas of the government’s business (Management of
Government Resources).
BRM Business Capability
[top]
The lowest tier of the BRM. Business Capabilities relate to the government subfunctions
within each line of business. Each business capability is described in
terms of the activities or operations involved in performing its related
functionality. At an agency level, business capabilities are represented by
business services that are enacted and supported through business processes
and service components.
BRM Hierarchy [top] A three-tiered taxonomy categorising and describing the functions of the
Australian government at a whole-of-government level, independent of
government agency structures.
BRM Line of Business The middle tier of the BRM. Lines of Business (LoBs) represent the categories
Australian Government Architecture Reference Models Version 3.0
281