ISIS Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) Q&A

 

Index of topics for frequently asked questions:
International Animal Data Information Systems Committee (IADISC)

Joint Application Development (JAD) sessions and use cases

ZIMS application

Data standards for ZIMS

 

If you do not find the question or topic on which you have a question here, please send your questions to web@isis.org. We will answer your questions and post them with answers here for others’ reference.

 

IADISC

 

What is IADISC?

The International Animal Data Information Systems Committee (IADISC) is a committee set up to represent ZIMS users. This committee is composed of several Animal Data Information Systems Committees (ADISCs) worldwide.

 

IADISC members have spent more than 1,000 collective hours reviewing more than 600 pages of technical documentation. In addition, IADISC educates and trains new volunteers and manages list serves.

 

What is the role of IADISC?
The role of IADISC includes:

  1. Promoting and coordinating the involvement of subject matter experts in the ZIMS design workshops and data standards workshops. 
  2. Promoting data quality through regional ADISCs 
  3. Increasing global representation
  4. Supporting the implementation of ZIMS by:
          a. Communicating project activities and progress to the user community
          b. Ensuring that regional training needs are defined and addressed
          c. Helping users adapt to changing business processes
          d. Facilitating user acceptance testing of ZIMS

JAD sessions and use cases

 

What is a JAD session?

A Joint Applications Development (JAD) session is a meeting that takes place between facilitators, note takers and subject matter experts (SME). JAD sessions are taking place in order to capture the requirements necessary to develop the ZIMS application. The purpose of these sessions is to transfer as much knowledge and information on specific subjects and within specific topics of interest from the SMEs to the facilitators and note takers.

 

The facilitators will work through the topics and ask questions in a specific subject areas related to business activities within zoos or aquariums. The subject matter expert think about the questions and volunteer their ideas, thoughts and experiences in that area to help shape the requirements of ZIMS and to help ensure that the requirements are of

good quality.

 

How does a JAD session work?

The work of JAD sessions is documented in “use cases,” (see below) which are prepared by technical experts to standardize definitions of animal management activities that will be supported within the ZIMS application. Use cases will build the foundation on which the ZIMS application will be built. All zoo and aquarium staff are welcome to comment on use cases, which are available through the International Animal Data Information Systems Committee (IADISC).

 

What are Use Cases?

Use cases are the standardized definition of a business activity that will be supported within the ZIMS application. All business activities are meant to accomplish a meaningful business goal. At the end of each JAD session, our objective is to have captured the information necessary to document the named use cases.

 

Use cases will build the foundation on which the ZIMS application is built. Using the JAD process should keep ZIMS development costs down by reducing the chance of application errors and/or omissions in the design that can be costly to correct at a later date.

 

A draft list of use cases were developed during previous ZIMS workshops to focus on the needs of zoos and aquariums.

 

The ZIMS application

 

Will the new Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) be obsolete before it is even finished?

No. We are building ZIMS on Microsoft software and are working with CGI, a subsidiary of Microsoft, to develop the software. CGI has assured us that they have a complete roadmap of Microsoft upgrades and editions through 2007. CGI is working to be sure ZIMS will be compatible with all future Microsoft upgrades.

 

Microsoft applications are “backward” compatible.

 

When will ZIMS be ready?

The ZIMS application should be complete in early 2007. At this time, we will begin to role the product out to our members. While the deployment plan is not yet finalized, we believe we will have all of our 650 member institutions fully converted to the ZIMS application by the end of the year 2008.

 

What can we do to prepare in the meantime?

To assure that your institution is ready for ZIMS, you should complete the ZIMS readiness assessment survey. If you do not believe your institution has taken this step, please e-mail isis@isis.org.

 

In addition, institutions must make sure that your data in the current ISIS system is up-to-date and accurate. All of your current data will be transferred to ZIMS. (Click here to see more on assuring that your data is of good quality.)

 

You can also assure that the infrastructure in your organization is ready. Click here to see a list of hardware requirements for the ZIMS application.

 

Should we continue to use other ISIS software in the meantime, or just wait for ZIMS?

Members should continue to keep the data in current ISIS software up-to-date. All of the information in the current ISIS database will be transferred into ZIMS when the application is ready. You will not have to re-enter your data into ZIMS.

 

What information in software from other companies be transferrable into ZIMS?

We cannot guarantee that data from other software will migrate easily into the ZIMS application. Please contact ISIS support (support@isis.org) to discuss the possibility of transferring data from your specific software into ZIMS.

 

When some members begin to use ZIMS while others are still using older ISIS software, what data will ISIS members be able to access?

During this transition period, ISIS will transfer data between applications so that all members will continue to have access to the most up-to-date data no matter which application they are currently using.

 

Will ZIMS work with my PDA?

While we will not support PDA applications in the first phase of the ZIMS application, users will be able to build their own screens on PDAs. This function will be fully supported in later phases of the ZIMS application.

 

Data standards

 

What is a data standard?
A standard is a definition or format established by consensus and approved by a recognized body. Applied to data, standards provide structure, content, terminology (values), rules and guidelines for information collected. Data standards ensure that mandatory fields and requirements to validate the data when it is entered are captured, rules for the data elements are recognized and that we understand how the data is captured, stored and presented.

Why do we need data standards for the ISIS Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS)?
Data standards connect the ISIS community by:
1.  Increasing accuracy and communication
2.  Providing the means to share information throughout our international community
3.  Providing consistency of practice across the community

Are existing regional or global data standards considered?
Yes, ISIS and the ZIMS team consider external standards first, as external standards are preferred. External standards provide benefit, including the opportunity to interface with wildlife, biodiversity and government agencies as well as the efforts of medical and professional organizations.

What are the goals and objectives of the data standards development process?
1. Achieve community consensus on how we are going to record and share information within ZIMS

2. Provide the supporting information necessary to develop ZIMS

3. Ensure the adopted standards support animal management, conservation and educational goals

What methods of communication are used to develop data standards?
1.  ZIMS discussion forums (core, vet, taxonomy and aquatic –  www.zimsforum.com/discussion)
2.  Focus groups
3.  Workshops - completed May 2005
4.  Informal meetings and discussions

To participate in one of these forums, contact ISIS (isis@isis.org).


What is the role of the ZIMS data standards development listserves and
discussion forum?
1.  Increasing global participation in the data standards development process
2.  Promoting and coordinating the involvement of subject matter experts (SMEs) in the            ZIMS data standards development
3.  Helping stakeholders identify and integrate changing business processes
4.  Building consensus
5.  Providing a communication tool between the ZIMS developers and the community

 

What criteria are used to select individuals to participate in the ZIMS data standards development process?
The data standards development process is an open process. Everyone in the zoo and aquarium community is welcome to participate.

Do the individuals participating in the data standards development process provide both a global representation of our community and a cross-section of institutions within the community?
Our goal is to achieve both a global representation of our community and a cross-section of institutions within the community. Through the involvement of regional zoo and aquarium associations, we are promoting active participation from all regions worldwide. We also encourage participation from small and large institutions, government, private and society-run institutions, zoos, wildlife parks, aquariums and other members of the wider zoological community.

How can I acquire the list of individuals participating in the data standards development process?
A list of the listserve/discussion forum participants can be obtained by contacting the appropriate listserve moderator.

What happens to the input I provide to this data standards development process?
All input collected and compiled during the standards development will be part of the data standards document. The data standards documentation begins with a blank template initially filled out by the listserve moderator or during a data standards workshop. This becomes the straw model. After review by the moderator, the straw model is circulated on the listserve as a draft for review and feedback. All input is collected and compiled into a final draft. After consensus is reached on the listserve, the final draft is submitted to IADISC with the listserve recommendation for ratification. Each and every view is valuable, and is included during the development of the standards.

Who coordinates, collects and compiles the input provided to the data standards development process?
The listserv moderators coordinate, collect and compile the input provided to the standards development process.

What is a standards listserve moderator?
A listserve moderator is a person or group of people designated to monitor and document all the communication on the listserve and discussion forum.

Who are the standards listserve moderators?
Paul Andrew, Curator, Taronga Zoo (taxonomy listserve)
Dr. Tracy Clippinger, Veterinarian, Zoological Society of San Diego (veterinary listserve)
Nilda Ferrer, Senior Registrar, WCS (core data listserve)
Kevin Johnson, Manager of Information Technology, ARAZPA (taxonomy listserve)
Paul Scobie, Senior System Developer, ISIS (core data listserve)
Dr. Ilse Stalis, Pathologist, Zoological Society of San Diego (veterinary listserve)

 

How are the standards listserve moderators selected?
Listserve moderators are subject matter expert (SME) volunteers who have been integrally involved with the ZIMS project. They are SMEs that have been selected by the International Animal Data Information Systems Committee (IADISC) to assist with the data standards development process.

What are the responsibilities of a standards listserve moderator?
1.  Coordinate and prepare a draft of the standard
2.  Identify subject matter experts (SMEs) and standards consultants (if necessary) to     champion the research required to complete the standard draft
3.  Publish the standard draft for review
4.  Moderate the discussions around the standard
5.  Collect, compile and publish summaries of the discussions
6.  Moderate standard voting for recommendations
7.  For each discussion topic, promote active participation of SMEs working within the discipline

What criteria are used to determine a consensus has been reached on the recommended standard?
Consensus has been reached if 51% (simple majority) of the total discussion forum participants vote in favor or against a standard recommendation. If less than 51% of the total discussion forum participants vote, then a consensus is reached if two-thirds of those who voted are either in favor or against a standard recommendation.

What happens to a standard if a consensus for recommendation is not reached?
If a consensus cannot be reached either by the simple majority rule or the two- thirds majority rule, the standard will be scheduled for further discussion during another data standards workshop.

What happens to a standard when a consensus for recommendation is reached?
Upon reaching a consensus for recommendation, a standard is sent to IADISC and the regional ADISCs for ratification.

What is a data standards workshop?
A data standards workshop is an opportunity for subject matter experts to meet in person to discuss, evolve, resolve differences, come to consensus on or develop data standards.

How are the individuals participating in a standards workshop selected?
Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) with particular expertise in the data standards being discussed at each workshop are recommended to IADISC by the various Regional Animal Data Information Systems Committees. IADISC then selects the appropriate number of representatives, based on expertise, global representation of our community and a cross section of institutions within the community.

How will data standards be used in ZIMS?
Data standards define the rules for recording information in a system so the data is valuable to all users because it will allow information to be queried. Data standards specifically address areas such as the valid values within a field, how data will be entered and presented and validated, and what rules apply regarding specific data values.

How can I become a part of the data standards development process?
If you are interested in participating in the development of the ZIMS data standards, you should contact ISIS or one of your regional ADISC representatives. Contact details for regional representatives can be found on the IADISC Web site (www.iadisc.org).