Here are the technical steps for creating data product specifications in IFS Cloud. These steps reflect best practices from IFS Cloud methodology and Data Mesh principles within the platform.
Technical Steps
- Define Scope and Domain Ownership
- Use the IFS Scope Tool to map business requirements to functional modules.
- Assign responsible domain owners and stewards for each data product, ensuring clarity on accountability and lifecycle management.
- Capture Requirements and Product Vision
- Document intended business outcomes, key stakeholders, and integration touchpoints.
- Conduct workshops to refine goals and confirm high-level requirements for your data product offering.
- Detail Product Specification
- List all data fields, entities, and relationships that compose the data product.
- Specify business logic, validation rules, and transformation requirements.
- Align schema definitions with IFS standard models or extend them using configuration tools if needed.
- Establish Data Contracts and Governance
- Define interfaces, APIs, and data sharing agreements in line with enterprise policies.
- Specify access controls and compliance rules using IFS Cloud’s role-based authorization and data access control features.[^6]
- Use the Enterprise Book of Rules to document governance processes, quality standards, and operational SLAs.
- Configure and Implement in IFS Cloud
- Leverage IFS configuration tools (like Application Configuration Packages) to implement required fields, objects, and process flows.[^4]
- Develop or adapt BPA Workflows for processes requiring automation or advanced approval logic.
- Create necessary documentation and attach as part of the data product package.
- Validate, Test, and Iterate
- Prototype the data product in the relevant test environment and validate with end users.
- Confirm operational readiness, accuracy, and compliance.
- Gather feedback and update specifications and configurations before moving to production.
- Document and Onboard
- Register the final product spec in IFS Cloud’s data catalog, linking to technical documentation and business definitions.
- Ensure ongoing stewardship is in place and communicated to all stakeholders for continuous improvement and governance.
These steps deliver robust, governed, and business-aligned data products within IFS Cloud, supporting both operational efficiency and analytics needs.