What is this thesis going to cover?
The Architecture and Design of Software systems in large organisations is challenging. One of the most visible problems is that of conflicting information models that are a consequence of differences in understanding and language between groups. The cost of integrating existing systems built on differing models is high, which is why many organisations try to use large information models to cover all the needs of the organisation in a unified manner. These initiatives usually fail. The distance between the domain as seen from the different parts of the organisation is too large. It is also challenging to organise the curation of such an information model in a way that works with the different user groups.
Semantic technologies provide excellent tools both for building large information models and for using these models to integrate and exchange data. But the use of semantic technologies alone does not solve the problem that it is unpractical to build and maintain a single enterprise-wide information model.
The thesis will investigate whether the toolbox of semantic technology can be exploited in a large organisation without starting on the daunting task to make a large, common information model.
A possible approach to meet these challenges is a «Data mesh»: the responsibility for the models is moved to the groups that create the data in the organisation, combined with a focus on the domains, as seen from the users. That is, change focus from data as they are stored to the domains of usage, and move responsibility from specialists and end users to the data producers.
Your thesis will explore the interaction of the ideas of recent developments in Enterprise Information Architecture (e.g. data mesh) with semantic technology in a large company, DNB. They will provide end users from different parts of the organisation, with different needs and domains. You will find methods and architectures that meet these needs. You will build information models for real-life use cases in DNB, but the focus will be on the methods used to build the models, and how the models can be used in practice.
In this project, you will
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Read relevant literature on Enterprise Information Architecture and Semantic Information Modelling
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Investigate how ontologies can play the roles of domain models in these methods
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Get acquainted with 2–3 application domains in DNB that are in need of integration
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Build conceptual models that cover parts of these application domains
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Investigate how deal with divergent understanding of domain vocabulary and data
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Possibly: Investigate how to combine existing enterprise-wide “global” models with specialised “local” models.
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Possibly: investigate relationship between domain models and knowledge graphs (e.g. Neo4J)
Who will you work with?
You will have contact with employees at DNB and will have to learn a bit about banking on the way. You do not have to know anything about banking from before. This thesis is supervised in cooperation with the bank DNB. DNB will provide use cases on which to try out the methods developed in your work. This implies regular meetings with software architects and domain experts from DNB.
Why should you apply for this thesis?
This thesis offers real life experience / examples on how information architects work in one of Norway’s largest corporations. You will get the opportunity to work on exciting cases. You may have access to workspaces at DNB’s head office while working on the Thesis. Furthermore, you get to know one of Norway’s most popular employers for young IT professionals*.
Who should apply?
We are looking for a master student who is or can be genuinely interested in information architecture, and who has the ability to structure his/hers work independently as well as in guidance of UiO and DNB.
Having taken IN3060/IN4060 (Semantic Technologies) will be an advantage.
*Sources:
https://www.academicwork.no/insights/arbeidsgivere/it-og-teknologi-norges-mest-attraktive-bransje