Visualizing OAIS

The OAIS Functional Model is used as a short hand for the entirety of the standard. But as a diagram representing a complex interaction of functions, its structure shapes our view of what OAIS is.

For example, in the current model Administration and Preservation Planning balance around the flow of SIPs, AIPs, and DIPs through the Ingest, Data Management, Archival Storage, and Dissemination functional entities in the center of the OAIS. Dotted lines that represent policies snake out from Administration to each functional entity. In the process, they create small hurdles for the data package flow lines to cross. Minimizing the visual clutter of the intersecting lines means reorganizing the model and uncovering an otherwise missing connection.

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