Request for information
Overview
This capability allows users to request and receive structured information from other users in an auditable manner.
A typical usage is when a system integrator procures parts from a supplier and requires the supplier to provide information associated with the part, such as safety certificates, performance specifications, installation drawings.
Summary of features
The following features are supported by this capability:
- Identify information set templates that are structured requests for information
- Identify information set section templates that are the structuring component of an information set template
- Identify an information set that is the response to a request for information
- Identify structural components of an information set that correspond to the requested information structure
- A generic information gathering process that may be tailored to specific user needs
Supported processes
The high level business processes for requesting information is shown in the process diagrams below.
First a set of structured information sets are defined as corporate templates that will be consistently used by a project when requesting information of a supplier.
A project then creates an information request in accordance with a corporate template, detailing what information is requested by when.
Once an information request has been created the request is shared with a supplier. The supplier acknowledges the request and then provides the information as requested.
The acquired can monitor the provision of the information and expedite the process to ensure that the request is met within the required timescales.
Once a supplier has provided the information, the acquired reviews and approves the delivery or requests rework.
Process diagrams
Information scope
The information that is managed by this capability is summarized in the business object diagrams shown below.
Key business objects
- InformationDeliveryItem
- InformationRequirementLevel
- InformationRequirementLevelReference
- InformationSet
- InformationSetSection
- InformationSetTemplate
- InformationSetTemplateSection
InformationDeliveryItem
The record of delivery of an item of information such as a part or document etc.
InformationRequirementLevel
The information requested may change as a project processes. Initially a request could have a number of sections that are optional. Later in the project, the provision of sections are mandatory. The InformationRequirementLevel identifies a stage in the request for information process.
InformationRequirementLevelReference
Identifies for any given stage in the request for information process whether an InformationSetSection (a section or group of requested information) is On-demand, Optional etc.
InformationSet
Represents a set of information structured in accordance with a specification provided by an information set template.
InformationSetSection
Represents a set of information that has been requested and is grouped in accordance with a specification provided by an information set template section.
InformationSetTemplate
Represents a specification of a structured set of information that will be requested. The specification defines what information is requested, at what stage in the process is the provision of that information mandatory or optional. The specification also defines how the requested information should be hierarchically organized into groups. These groups are represented by information set template sections. The requested information will be delivered back to the requestor of the information by an information set that conforms to the structure and content requested by the information set template.
InformationSetTemplateSection
Represent a grouping of information that is requested. The grouping can be hierarchically structured.
Supported SoftTypes
The following SoftTypes are relevant to this capability: