Question 1
It is imperative to understand the difference between information and data before one can comprehend the difference between Information Architecture and Data Architecture. Data is the representation of unprocessed facts in the form of graphics, numbers images and text. On the other hand, information is processed and meaningful data. According to DAMA, organisations create information through deducing the context around data. It is significant to note that data is meaningless without context.
Therefore, Information Architecture is an all-inclusive interpretation of the movement of information in an enterprise, as well as the consequences of the processes that act upon the data. On the other hand, Data Architecture is the process of describing the manner in which data will be interpreted and stored; how the data moves and is utilised by the project teams as well as data models (Kempe & Hurmphrey, 2013). It is worth noting that Data Architecture is a constituent of Information Architecture give that information is large in scope as compared to data. While Data Architecture is responsible for containing and organising a myriad of data resources into a convenient system, Information Architecture is responsible for incorporating those data resources into an assembly that enables the distribution of that information to be captured, utilised, analysed and controlled through an enterprise with dependability and confidence.
Question 2
There are four rudimentary types of information: Transactional information, Analytical information, Authored information and published information. Transactional information is structured content which is implemented through the use of structured databases to aid business processes and workflows (Kempe & Hurmphrey, 2013). In other words, transactional information is the result of all the business transactions that occurs in a business organisation. Examples of transactional information include packing slip, sales receipt and purchase confirmation. On the other hand, Analytical information is information used for decision making and managerial analysis. An example of analytical information is a monthly sales report, trends and product statistics. Authored information include unstructured content in a myriad of formats like text documents, multimedia and application programs. Conversely, published information is unstructured content collected into a required format and distributed to a specific audience and implemented through the use of technologies. It may include reference materials, sales report published and available through internet and print.
Question 3
Conceptual Data Model
This model outlines a map of concepts and the relationship between the concepts that are used for databases.
Logical Data Model
Logical data model outlines the entities, attributes and the relationship among them.
Physical Data Model
Physical data model outlines all tables structures including primary key, column data type foreign key and the relationship between tables.
SALES
References
Kempe, S. & Hurmphrey, C. (2013). Data Architecture and Information Architecture: What's the
Difference? - DATAVERSITY. DATAVERSITY. Retrieved 16 August 2016, from
http://www.dataversity.net/data-architecture-and-information-architecture-whats-the-
difference/
