This document discusses developing ontologies using a lean methodology. It advocates starting with a very simple model and incrementally increasing complexity based on user requirements. The lean process involves identifying user needs, creating a basic model, then relating, designing, and coding elements in a step-by-step process. User involvement and feedback is important at each stage of development.

1. Ontology Development
..the Lean way
Lieke Verhelst MSc
Linked Data Factory

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Lessons learned in collaborative semantic modelling
Start Finish
Agenda
T h e s t a g e
Lean = value for the customer

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Use cases
S e m a n t i c t e c h n o l o g y
Identify Compare
Match
Integrate
Relate
Transform
Find
Understand (human)
Evaluate Logic
(machine)

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Integrate, transform
Model complexity
U s e C a s e R e q u i r e m e n t s
Identify
Understand (human)
Match, compare

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Very Simple Model
M o d e l C o m p l e x i t y
UID-1
Book @en
“A printed work..” @en
UID-2
Dog @en
“Animal with...” @en

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UID-1
Book @en
“A printed work..” @en
Thesaurus Model
M o d e l C o m p l e x i t y
UID-2
Fiction @en
UID-3
Nonfiction @en
UID-A
Novel @en
UID-163
Magazine @en
“.. often illustrated ..” @en
BROADER/
NARROWER
MATCHRELATED

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UID-71
Ontology Model
M o d e l C o m p l e x i t y
UID-12
Topic @en
UID-B
Publisher @en
UID-A
Novel @en
UID-2
Author @en
Audience @en
hasTopic
UID-1
Book @en
has Author min 1
hasPublisher
hasAuthor
hasAudience

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Identify
Understand
(human)
Relate Compare/Match Transform All
URI strategy URI strategy …… …… …… …… …… …… Skills
Meaningful,
meaningless
Meaningful,
meaningless …… …… …… …… …… …… Tools
Labels (preferred,
alternative) …… …… …… Restrictions Environments
Language Relation definition Type Propagation Datatype definition Resources
Definition Relation direction Equality SPARQL Construct Users
Relation semantics Inference Rules Targets
Technical Design
U s e C a s e R e q u i r e m e n t s

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Integrate, transform
Model strategy
U s e C a s e R e q u i r e m e n t s
Identify
Understand (human)
Match, compare, infer
BRIDGE THIS GAP!

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Identify
Tasks
Design URI strategy
Decide on identifiers
(meaningful,
meaningless)
Register and
document
Phase 1
Describe
Tasks
Name it
Translate it
Define it
Phase 2
Relate
Tasks
Relate it
Relate it
Relate it
Phase 3
Design
Tasks
Refine relations
Redefine hierarchy
Bridge SKOS and OWL
Patterns
Phase 4
Code
Tasks
Refine relations
Define datatypes
Code conversions
Write rules
Phase 5
Incremental design
M o d e l S t r a t e g y
MOST EFFORT (SME’s)!

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01
Identifiers
List of
identifiers and
e.g. link to picture
Simple API
02
Names
Items have definite
pref., alt. names and
translations
Delivery
I n c r e m e n t a l D e s i g n
03
Items defined and
related in
thesaurus model (SKOS)
Relations
04
Separate OWL model with
more specific relations
and hierarchy.
OWL-SKOS mapping Instances
05
OWL model with
datatypes, restrictions
and rules
Transformations

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Tools
• Off the shelf available
• Open source available
• Tool selection by
experienced staff
Change
• Change management
process
• Change of model
• Change in data
• When ready for use?
Use
• Learning by using
• Incremental
improvements
• User feedback
Skills
• Targeted training
• Separation of concern
• Modeling guidelines
available (e.g. ISO
25964 - thesaurus)
Communicate
• Change management
• Methods for access
• User feedback
Practical issues
M o d e l S t r a t e g y

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THANK YOU, are there any Questions?
info@linkeddatafactory.nl