Supporting Business Systems Planning studies with the DB/DC Data Dictionary

We have shown an approach in which the IBM DB/DC Data Dictionary can be used as a tool to support Business Systems Planning studies. We have defined a BSP data model in terms of Dictionary subject categories, relationships, and attributes, and identified some of the useful reports that can be implemented as PAF programs. We have also discussed some of the operational issues involved in implementing this approach. Although this approach is only one of several possible, we believe it is a viable one which can contribute greatly to BSP studies. However, it has a greaterv alue in its potential too ffer an integrated approach for managing activities from the BSP study on through requirements definition, data base administration, systems design, development, and maintenance. The approach shown here, we feel, is the logical beginning of such an integrated approach to managing I/S activities.