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This page lists the key terms defined in IABoK in alphabetical order.
Symbol | Num | a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | i | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | w | x | y | z |
Symbol
DAMA Body of Knowledge: Alias for DMBoK
Num
4 Schema Model: Alias for ANSI Four Schema Model
6 Hats: Alias for De Bonos Hats
7 facets of user experience: Alias for User Honeycomb
a
Abstract: Expressing characteristics separately from any concrete examples. Defining the common features independent of specific instances
Access Control: Alias for Entitlement
Accessibility: How easy it is to obtain information that has been located
ACID: ACID Model
ACID Model: A set of properties of database transactions that guarantee reliable processing. This topic is more relivent to the implementaion and not usually a concern of the Information Architect
Activity Diagram: Alias for UML Activity Diagram
Actor: A person or system that interacts with the system being described
Adam Smith's Pin Factory: Alias for Pin Factory
Alphabetical: Ordering that focuses on the labels attached to elements and hence simplifies the action of looking up information but often does little to help comprehension. Good for reference data but a narrative, hierarchical or schematic order is usually a better way to introduce a topic.
Alphanumeric: A character that is either a letter ('a' to 'z') or a number ('0' to '9')
American National Standards Institute: A private non-profit organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards in the United States and coordinates US standards with international standards
ANSI: American National Standards Institute
ANSI Four Schema Model: A description of the four main types of data model originally created by ANSI in the 1970s
Application: Alias for Application Software
Application Software: A piece of computer software designed to deliver functionality to the user. In contrast to system software
Architect: A practitioner that mediates between conflicting concerns to create a complete design of a complex system by ensuring consistency between various specialised views
Architecture: The process of creating a complete design by generating a complete set of consistent renditions each tailored to the needs of a specialised group of implementers
Arms Race: Alias for Red Queen Situation
Artificial Intelligence: The effort to create systems that exhibit apparent intelligence
ASCII: A character-encoding scheme based on the ordering of the English alphabet
AsIs: The situtaion as it currently exists without any attempt to address the issues. In contrast to the ToBe state.
Aspect: A critical element within the selected domain
Assembly Line: Alias for Pin Factory
Assessment: The process of documenting a situation, usually in order to describe the requirements of a solution
Attribute: A piece of data associated with either a specific object or class
b
Backup: A duplicate of data that is kept in a seperate location to facilitate recovery if any system fails.
Backward Chaining: Using the desired result to work out what to do next, especially in inference
Balance Triangle: A diagram that shows the possible combinations of three components that contribute to a system. For example the balance between investment in implementation, maintainance and running costs
BCG matrix: Alias for Boston Matrix
Behaviour Diagrams: Alias for UML Behaviour Diagrams
Bell Curve: Alias for Probability Distribution
Best Practice: A Best practice is a technique, that is believed to be the most effective at delivering a particular outcome of all the currently employed techniques
Blackboard: A situation where a variety of processes share a common set of data
Blue Sky: A speculation about how a situation could finally end up. The ultimate solution to an issue that ignores constraints of implementation cost, resource availability and current technical abilities.
Body of Knowledge: A collection of knowledge about a particular discipline, intended to represent the majority of understanding that a practitioner employs
BoK: Body of Knowledge
Boolean Logic: A system of logical operations named after George Boole.
Boston Chart: Alias for Boston Matrix
Boston Matrix: Originally a chart created by the Boston Consulting Groupto help corporations with analyzing their business units or product lines. The name is now used to indicate a type of 2x2 matrix used to illuminate business decisions
Bottom Up: Defining a system by starting with an understanding of the details and then working out how these components combine
Boxes & Arrows: A disparaging description of the types of diagrams that Information Architects create
Brainstorming: A process during which new ideas and discussions are generated
Building Web Sites: The activities involved in constructing effective web sites
Business Case: A business case captures the reasoning for initiating a project or task. A statement of the costs and anticipated benefits that demonstrates the reason for taking a particular action
Business Decision: A Business thrives or collapses based on the decisions that it makes. In an ideal world the evidence for a decision is collected, the appropriate set of participants reviews and an agreement is reached, which in turn influences the state of the business and hence future decisions
Business Intelligence: Summary historical, current, and predictive views of business operations
Business Process: The procedures carried out by the users within a business
c
Capability Maturity Model: A description of actual practice within an organisation that suggests which capabilities should be improved first
Card Sorting: An exercise in which a group of users generate a category tree or folksonomy
Cardboard Programmer: Often when explaining a complex issue to another person the very act of formulating a question will lead one to the answer. In Software Development this is called the "Cardboard Programmer" technique, since you don't actually need a real person to explain to, a cardboard cut-out would, in theory, be sufficient
Cardinality: The numerical relationship between elements, usually defined in broad terms as zero, one or many
Chaos Theory: A branch of mathematics that studies the behaviour of dynamic systems
Check List: Alias for Checklist
Checklist: A list of items to be checked at key stages of a procedure
Class: An abstraction of a concept or group of things that describes the state and behaviour that all examples share. Similar to a data type
Class Diagram: Alias for UML Class Diagram
Classification: The procedure in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated and understood
CMM: Alias for Capability Maturity Model
Comma Seperated Values: A format that defines values seperated by commas. A commonly used, and widely misused file type
Communication Diagram: Alias for UML Communication Diagram
Complete Product: Any product has a number of different descriptions depending on who is asked, this idea lists the key definitions and the consequences of the differences.
Complexity: A measure of how complicated a situation is. Can only really be discussed in relation to the model being used and the goal of the modelling process
Component Diagram: Alias for UML Component Diagram
Composite Structure Diagram: Alias for UML Composite Structure Diagram
CompSci: Alias for Computer Science
Computer Science: The study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation, and of practical techniques for their implementation and application
Concept Map: a simple diagram showing the relationships among concepts
Conceptual Schema: A consistent, but usually incomplete, consolidation of data model requirements. A data model that consolidates the inconsistent views in the External Schemas but has not yet achieved the completeness required of a Logical Data Model
Congress Classification: Alias for Library of Congress Classification
Consistency: This measure of Data Quality reflects the degree of self agreement the data has
Content: Alias for Information Content
Content Management System: An application used to manage the creation, editing, indexing and searching of various kinds of digital media and text
Context: The set of circumstances or facts that surround a particular event, or system.
Conversations With Trees: Alias for Cardboard Programmer
Correctness: A measure of how closely data matches reality. This is the most difficult measure of Data Quality to validate.
Cost Balance: When implementing any system costs must be justified by the benefit they achieve. This means that investing too much in any one aspect of a project is wasted effort, so the costs must be balanced
Coverage: A measure of how completely a classification scheme encompasses all the possible values
Crawling: Alias for Web Crawler
Critical System Design: The design of systems that have a high price of failure. This emphasises the importance of correct design to reduce the risks associated with failure
CS: Computer Science
Cutter Classification System: A classification system used in some US libraries
d
DAMA: An organisation of data managers that promote and document the profession
Data Category: The critical information can usually be divided into groups of related elements. Each category will usually encompass many data types
Data Consumer: A person that uses the data without editing, correcting or modifying it
Data Convention: The conventions applied to data within a given location
Data Definition Language: A computer language for defining data structures used by Oracle
Data Editor: The person that validates, creates and edits the data
Data Exchange: Alias for Data Migration
Data Footprint: The range of different data categories that a system deals with
Data Form: A complete description of the way that a piece of data is held, including clarification of the physical media, encoding, format, structure, reference integrity and conventions
Data Management: The development and execution of architectures, policies, practices and procedures that properly manage the full data lifecycle needs of an enterprise
Data Management International: Alias for DAMA
Data Migration: The process of moving data from its current location, typically requiring transformation to allow it to be used in the target system
Data Model: A data model formally defines the data elements and the relationships between them for a domain of interest A data model describes how data is represented and accessed.
Data Model Categories: Alias for ANSI Four Schema Model
Data Modeling Language: A textual or schematic language used to describe elements of a data model
Data Modelling: Alias for Data Model
Data Owner: The person that approves data before it is published for the eventual audience
Data Quality: A measure of how fit a set of data is for its intended use. An ambiguous term that refers to a number of different measures.
Data Repository: A database, logical or physical location where data resides.
Data Rot: During the lifetime of a system definitions will be stretched and new data will be introduced. These changes often make the resulting data less consistent and complete, this is commonly known as "data rot"
Data Steward: The person that holds the data, responsible for supplying exactly the data that was registered (without any concern about the data's actual correctness)
Data Type: A well defined class of data. Usually the available attributes are described in a data model
Database: A collection of data usually in digital form and with a defined structure
DDC: Dewey Decimal System
De Bonos Hats: A technique to explore ideas by consciously focusing of different aspects of the overall concept
Decision: Alias for Business Decision
Decision Support System: Alias for Business Intelligence
Decision Tree: An analysis technique that uses a tree of possible outcomes to measure the potential value of different decisions
Define: The first stage of any interaction with a client during which their needs are documented
Deployment Diagram: Alias for UML Deployment Diagram
Dewey Decimal Classification: Alias for Dewey Decimal System
Dewey Decimal System: An ordered classification of all books commonly used in libraries
Diagram: A picture showing information in a schematic form
Dictionary: A collection of words in a specific language, often listed alphabetically, with definitions and other information
Digital: An artifact that is described in computer bits, in contrast to a physical object
Directory: A listing of items in a single location. In computing this normally provides a container in which files and other directories can be organised.
Discipline: An area of study, for example Information Architecture or Data Management
Do Nothing Option: Alias for AsIs
Document: A physical or digital representation of a text focused artifact
Domain: A related set of topics that share a common approach
Dynamic Elements: Alias for System Behaviour
e
Efficient: A measure of the effort to achieve a particular result, often in comparison to the minimal effort required
Electronic Mail: Alias for eMail
eMail: a method of exchanging digital messages, designed primarily for human use
Empirical: Information gained by means of observation, experience, or experiment.
Encoding: A code that pairs a sequence of characters from a given character set with something else, such as a sequence of numbers
Engagement Stage: A simplified view of the stages that every engagment must pass through: Define, Assess, Implementation and Review
Enterprise Architecture: The documents and diagrams that describe the structure of a business, the methods and techniques that are employed to create and maintain such material
Entitlement: The level of access that should be delivered by agreement through law, for example the user may have the right to access a database due to a license agreement
Entity: Something that has a distinct, separate existence, though it need not be a material existence
Equivalent: Alias for One to One
Executive: The branch of a corporation or government that is responsible for defining policy and setting direction
Expert Systems: Alias for Knowledge Based Systems
Extended Markup Language: Alias for XML
External Schemas: A data model that is a collection of inconsistent requirements from individual stakeholders
f
Facets of User Experience: Alias for User Honeycomb
Facilitator: A person that is responsible for the logistical aspects of a process. For example a workshop facilitator will arrange a room, define the agenda and often keep track of time during the meeting
Feasibility: A measure of whether the situation described is possible within known constraints
Findability: How easy it is to navigate to the appropriate piece of information
Fixed Cost: Business expenses that are not dependent on the level of activity of the business
Folksonomy: A classification scheme created by collective action, often created and managed using web technologies
Footprint: Alias for Data Footprint
Format: A format defines how entities and attributes are to be described.
Forward Chaining: Building from what is known in the hope it will lead to the desired inference
Four Schema Model: Alias for ANSI Four Schema Model
g
Game Theory: A branch of mathematics that considers the interactions of dynamic systems. A rich source of metaphors for describing simple models of behaviour
Gathering Data: The practice of obtaining input from Subject Matter Experts about the domain under discussion. This can be to help any element of the Information Architecture from defining the key aspects, populating the model, validating the existing definitions to reviewing the resulting system
Gaussian Distribution: Alias for Probability Distribution
Glossary: Alias for Dictionary
Goal: A projected state of affairs that a person or a system plans or intends to achieve
Goal State: Alias for ToBe
h
Hardware: The physical elements of a system, in contrast to software
HCI: Alias for User Interface
Hierarchical: A form of classification in which the terms form a nested set of relationships
Horizon of Concern: The period of time that a particular person is focused on, a technician might be worried about events over the next hour, a professional could be concerned with next month's events, however a Chief Executive must also be concerned about the next decade. In general the more senior the role the further ahead the vision
HSB: Alias for HSV Colour Space
HSI: Alias for HSV Colour Space
HSL: Alias for HSV Colour Space
HSV Colour Space: A description of colours in terms of their Hue, Saturation and Value. Because this better matches to the way the human eye works it is a better choice when defining colours for a diagram
Human Computer Interface: Alias for User Interface
i
IA Best Practice: The set of steps that should be carried out to create an Information Architecture
IA Data Gathering: Alias for Gathering Data
IA Picture: Alias for IA Rendition
IA Rendition: A schematic representation of some aspect of the information architecture of a system
IABoK: Information Architecture Body of Knowledge
Identifier: A unique key used to distinguish between the various items in a class
IETF: Internet Engineering Task Force
Implementation: The processes of developing and deploying the products and services being discussed
Inference: Using existing values and relationships to deduce the implications
Inference Engine: Alias for Knowledge Based Systems
Information: Alias for KID
Information Architect: A practitioner of Information Architecture
Information Architecture: The expression of the model of information within a given domain, or the practice of creating and managing such a model
Information Architecture Body of Knowledge: A collection of knowledge about the discipline of Information Architecture. This web site
Information Behaviour: Alias for System Behaviour
Information Content: The data held in a system
Information Management: Alias for Data Management
Information Theory: A branch of applied mathematics involving the quantification of information
Information Triad: A collective name for the three concepts of Content, and Context the user.
Information technology: The implementation and support of computer-based information systems, the practical aspects of day-to-day management in contrast to, for example Computer Science.
Infrastructure: The various system elements such as servers, networks and storage.
Initail State: Alias for AsIs
Instance: A particular created example of a class, a thing of a given type
Interaction Diagrams: Alias for UML Interaction Diagrams
Interaction Overview Diagram: Alias for UML Interaction Overview Diagram
Internet: A global system of interconnected computer networks that have adopted various RFC standards
Internet Engineering Task Force: A group that develops and promotes Internet standards through the publication of Request for Comments documents.
Interview: A gathering of interested parties that works towards answering a defined set of questions
ISO 10918-1: Alias for jpeg
j
Joint Photographic Experts Group: Alias for jpeg
jpeg: A commonly used data form for compressed photographic images
k
K-Map: Alias for Karnaugh Map
Karnaugh Map: A diagram that documents the way a digital circuit behaves
Key Performance Indicator: A metric of the business that is used to help estimate the level of performance
KID: The combined set of knowledge, information and data
Killer App: A piece of software that is so valuable that consumers purchase the associated hardware just to be able to run it
Killer Application: Alias for Killer App
Knowledge: Theoretical or practical understanding of a subject
Knowledge Based Systems: Systems that combine a data repository (often in this context called a "knowledge base") and inference mechanisms to deliver results that appeared to demonstrate artificial intelligence
KPI: Key Performance Indicator
l
Label: Alias for Identifier
Law of diminishing returns: The observation that the marginal contribution of a factor of production usually decreases as more of the factor is used
LCC: Library of Congress Classification
Learning Curve: The fact that performing an action for the 1,000th time will cost less than doing it for the first time
Library Science: the study of the optimal way to organise libraries and other information resources
Library System: a system of coding and organizing library materials according to their subject
Library of Congress Classification: A classification system used in the Library of Congress and other US libraries
Linguistics: The study of natural language
Logical: Elements of a system that follow a formal set of principles and are not physical
Logical Data Model: A consistent and complete data model description that is independent of any particular implementation
Logical Model: Alias for Logical Data Model
m
Maintainance: The process of adjusting a system to enable it to function in a changed environment or to incrementally expand the supported functionality
Man-Machine Interface: Alias for User Interface
Mandatory Attribute: An attribute that must be present
Many to Many: The most complex type of relationship between elements in which many items are each related to many, often shared target items
Many to One: A type of relationship in which each source item relates to exactly one target but each target can have more than one source. For example the "part of" relationship
Marginal Cost: The change in total costs that is incurred when one more unit is produced
Marginal Returns: Alias for Law of diminishing returns
Metaphor: In literature a device where one word is considered as being or equal to a second object in some way. When discussing complex technical issues a good metaphor helps comprehension.
Method: A piece of behaviour associated with either a specific object or class
MicroFormat: A way of encoding structured information within the body of a web page
MMI: Alias for User Interface
Model: Representation of something that simplifies some aspects of the full situation in order to improve comprehension and reasoning
mp3: A commonly used patented digital audio encoding format using a form of lossy data compression
MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3: Alias for mp3
n
Narrative: Following the form of a story, describing a sequence of events
Normal Distribution: Alias for Probability Distribution
o
OASIS: A global consortium that develops data representation standards for use in computer software
Object Attribute: Alias for Attribute
Object Class: Alias for Class
Object Diagram: Alias for UML Object Diagram
Object Method: Alias for Method
Object Oriented Database: A database which implements a collection of data objects each with its own attributes and methods
OLAP: Online analytical processing
One to Many: A relationship between elements in which each source element is related to a single target, but that target can have many such sources
One to One: A type of relationship in which each source item relates to exactly one target and each target relates to exactly one source.
Online analytical processing: An approach to multi-dimensional analytical queries that uses a multidimensional data model to speed up analytical and ad-hoc queries
Ontology: A formal representation of a set of concepts within a domain and the relationships between those concepts
OODB: Object Oriented Database
Operating System: Alias for System Software
Optional Attribute: An attribute that may be present or missing within an entity
Oracle: The most widely used database software in businesses, an implementation of the relational data model
Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards: Alias for OASIS
Owner: The person or entity that commissioned the Information Architecture, usually the group that will deliver the resulting product or service
p
Package Diagram: Alias for UML Package Diagram
Pattern: A template or model which can be used to describe something. In architecture a pattern is an archetypal and reusable descriptions of elements of the design
Phase Diagram: A depiction that shows all possible states of a system, each state corresponding to one unique point
Phase Space: Alias for Phase Diagram
Philosophy: A systematic approach to the study of existence, knowledge, truth and language
Physical: Any elements which are composed of matter and not merely items of thought or belief
Physical Data Model: A data model implementation that is targeted at a particular technology (such as Oracle or an OODB)
Physical Media: A data transport form that is physical.
Physical Model: Alias for Physical Data Model
Pin Factory: A sequence of processes that assemble a result where the output of each step is the input of the next
PMBoK: Project Management Body of Knowledge
PMI: Project Management Institute
Poisson Distribution: Alias for Probability Distribution
Policy: A guide to decisions, a definition of the way that decisions are to be taken
Practice: A description of the way that things are done, usually used to document the most common set of steps carried out
Practitioner: A person that applies expertise in a discipline
Presentation: An event at which a topic is explained by one or more presenters to an audience.
PRINCE2: PRojects IN Controlled Environments (PRINCE) is a project management methodology from the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) in the UK
Principle: A comprehensive and fundamental law, doctrine, or assumption. It can be a universal rule or code of conduct, a law or fact of nature
Prisoners dilemma: A problem defined in game theory in which the "obvious" strategy is rarely adopted in real-world situations
Probability Distribution: Identifies how the probability of a given result varies with the various possible outcomes
Procedure: A description of a set of steps to be followed in order to achieve some goal
Process: A collection of related, structured activities or tasks that produce a specific service or product
Product: An item intended to satisfies a client's want or need
Production Line: Alias for Pin Factory
Program: A piece of software, in contrast with a programme
Programme: A collection of projects that share a common goal. Often the spelling is used to distinguish this meaning from program.
Project: A project is a collaborative enterprise, that is carefully planned to achieve a particular well defined aim. In contrast to a service.
Project Management: Alias for Project Manager
Project Management Body of Knowledge: A project management guide, and an internationally recognized standard, that provides the fundamentals of project management as they apply to a wide range of projects.
Project Management Institute: A non-profit professional organization with the purpose of advancing the state-of-the-art of project management. Publishers of the "Project Management Body of Knowledge"
Project Manager: A person that oversees the execution of a project
PRojects IN Controlled Environments: Alias for PRINCE2
q
r
Race Condition: A flaw in design where the final state of a system depends on which of two or more parallel actions complete first
Red Queen Situation: A situation in which constant application of effort is required just to maintain the current relative positions. For example if Cheetahs get faster that makes Antelope speed up which leaves the same number of prey getting caught
Redundant: The degree of duplication in a system, usually incorporated in order to increase the robustness of the system
Reference Data: Data that constrains the valid entries elsewhere in the logical data model
Reference Integrity: Ensuring that certain attribute of the data can only have a restricted set of values (for example storing the identifier of another item)
Relational: Alias for Relational Data Model
Relational Data Model: A database based on first-order predicate logic. The currently most widely used form of database.
Relational Database: Alias for Relational Data Model
Relationship: The connection, association or involvement between two or more items
Rendition: Alias for IA Rendition
Repository: Alias for Data Repository
Request for Comments: A collection of standards that define most aspects of the internet. Maintained and published by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).
Review: This Engagement Stage is concerened with measuring the benefits that came from deploying a Product or service.
RFC: Request for Comments
RGB Colour Space: A description of colours in terms of the amount of Red, Green and Blue. This matches to many output devices (such as monitors) but is a poor choice when defining colours for a diagram
Rights Management: Alias for Entitlement
Robust: A robust system is one that will continue to function even when subject to disruption
Role: A set of behaviours, rights and obligations that can be assigned to an actor
Role Play: A session in which the roles being examined are acted out in order to gain insight as to the user's needs
RubberDucking: Alias for Cardboard Programmer
Rule Based System: Alias for Knowledge Based Systems
s
Sampling Theory: When conducting a series of trials it is important to cover all the key groupings. Sampling Theory explains how this can be done even when an exhaustive set of trials is impossible.
Schematic: A type of diagram that represents the elements of a system using abstract symbols rather than realistic pictures. In contrast to a textual representation
Sequence Diagram: Alias for UML Sequence Diagram
Service: A service is a discretely defined set of contiguous and autonomous business or technical functionalities. In contrast to a project
Shared Directory: A directory that can be accessed from a number of different systems, often only shared over a limited local area
Six Sigma: A management strategy that originated in manufaturing but has been spread to other areas of business.
Six Thinking Hats: Alias for De Bonos Hats
Software: The instructions that cause a system to perform an action
Software Development: The practices involved in creating software, one of the domains of computer science
Spider: Alias for Web Crawler
Spreadsheet: Application software that simulates a set of paper worksheets by displaying a grid of cells. Each cell either holds a value or calculates its value from other cells.
Stakeholder: Any person or group that have an interest in a project or service.
Standard Practice: Alias for Practice
State Machine Diagram: Alias for UML State Machine Diagram
Static Content: Alias for Information Content
Statistics: The collection, analysis and presentation of data
Stories for children: Alias for Metaphor
Structure Diagrams: Alias for UML Structure Diagrams
Subject Matter Expert: A person that is an expert in a particular domain. Usually an experienced practitioner
Survey: Using a set of structured questions to obtain input from stakeholders
Synchronisation: Alias for Data Migration
System Behaviour: A description of the way a complex system behaves over time. In contrast to the Information Content
System Behaviour Diagrams: Alias for UML Behaviour Diagrams
System Data: Alias for Information Content
System Dynamics: Alias for System Behaviour
System Interaction Diagrams: Alias for UML Interaction Diagrams
System Software: A piece of computer software designed to enable the computer to work in its environment. In contrast to application software
System Structure Diagrams: Alias for UML Structure Diagrams
t
Talking to Bears: Alias for Cardboard Programmer
Taxonomy: A hierarchical scheme of classification. Usually a valid taxonomy must be complete (every item is classified) and unambiguous (no item has more than one classification)
Technical Writing: A style of formal writing used to convert input from subject matter experts into a form suitable for a wider technical and nontechnical audience
Textual: A description of a system in words, in contrast to a schematic representation
Theory: An analytic structure designed to explain a set of observations
Timeliness: This measure of Data Quality reflects the degree to which data is available when it is needed
Timing Diagram: Alias for UML Timing Diagram
ToBe: The situtaion as it will exist if the proposed action is taken. In contrast to the AsIs state.
Top Down: Defining a system by starting with the major components and working towards the fine detail
Total Cost of Ownership: An analysis that takes into account not just the cost of obtaining an item, but also the cost of using it and disposing of it
Tragedy of the Commons: A situation where individuals acting independently in their own self-interest can ultimately destroy a shared limited resource even when it is clear that it is not in anyone's long term interest to do so
Transport: A description of how data is to be moved or held. The lowest level of a data form. Since standard approaches to file structure and communication protocols were adopted in the 1980s and 1990s there has been little need to discuss transport except in relation to physical media
Turing Complete: Alias for Universal Machine
u
UI: User Interface
UML: Unified Modeling Language
UML Activity Diagram: A UML diagram that represents the activities being performed
UML Behaviour Diagrams: UML diagrams that present the dynamic aspects of the system.
UML Class Diagram: A UML diagram that describes the system's classes
UML Communication Diagram: A UML diagram that shows the interactions between objects or parts in terms of sequenced messages
UML Component Diagram: A UML diagram that depicts how a software system is split up into components
UML Composite Structure Diagram: A UML diagram that describes the internal structure of a class and the collaborations that this structure makes possible
UML Deployment Diagram: A UML diagram that describes how the system is organised for deployment
UML Interaction Diagrams: The UML Behaviour Diagrams that document the flow of control and data within the system
UML Interaction Overview Diagram: A UML diagram that shows the interactions of the system
UML Object Diagram: A UML diagram that shows a view of the structure of a modeled system at a specific time
UML Package Diagram: A UML diagram that depicts how a system is split up into logical groupings
UML Sequence Diagram: A UML diagram that shows the sequence of messages between elements of the system
UML State Machine Diagram: A UML diagram that presents the states of the system and how it can change
UML Structure Diagrams: UML diagrams that present static elements that must be present in the system.
UML Timing Diagram: A UML interaction diagram that focuses on the timing constraints
UML Use Case Diagram: A UML diagram that shows the functionality of the system from the actor's viewpoint
Unicode: A computing industry standard allowing computers to consistently represent and manipulate text expressed in most of the world's writing systems
Unified Modeling Language: A set of graphical notations that can be used to define abstract models of systems. UML2.0 is the standard set of diagrams used in software developmentand hence has been adopted in many other fields
Universal Machine: A system that can perform complex calculations. The term comes from the fact that all such systems can emulate each other and hence are equivalent in terms of the results they can achieve
Use Case: A description of a system's behaviour as it responds to a request that originates from outside of that system
Use Case Diagram: Alias for UML Use Case Diagram
User: A person who uses a system, the normal expectation is that users do not require the technical expertise required to fully understand the system
User Honeycomb: A picture that brings together the key elements of user data usage
User Interface: the combination of means by which the user interacts with a system
User Survey: Alias for Survey
v
Variable costs: Alias for Marginal Cost
Veitch Diagram: Alias for Karnaugh Map
w
W3C: World Wide Web Consortium
Web: A system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed via the Internet
Web Crawler: It is often usefull to process a number of web pages, when this is automated the resulting system is known as a "Spider"
Web Site Construction: Alias for Building Web Sites
Wiki: A web based system that enables user contribution to the creation of pages.
Win Win Situation: A situation in which each participant can benefit without anyone having to lose. In contrast to a Zero Sum Game
Workflow: Could mean any one of three quite distinct things, the sequence of activities carried out to achieve a business goal, the set of steps carried out in a process or the way that a particular effect is achieved in an application
Workshop: A gathering of interested parties that works through defined procedures in order to answer a set of predefined questions
World Wide Web: Alias for Web
World Wide Web Consortium: A body that develops interoperable technologies (specifications, guidelines, software, and tools) to lead the Web to its full potential
WWW: Web
x
XML: A widely used data format
y
Ymper Trymon: Fictional character created by Terry Pratchett who "found solace in organisational charts showing lots of squares with arrows pointing to lots of other squares. The sort of man who could use the word 'personnel' and mean it"
z
Zack Feature: Alias for Blue Sky
Zero Sum Game: A situation in which one person's gain is exactly matched by another's loss. In contrast to a Win/Win Situation