Overview
ISO/TR 17119:2005 - Health informatics - Health informatics profiling framework (HIPF) - is an ISO Technical Report that defines a common descriptive framework for health informatics standards artefacts. The HIPF provides a consistent method to classify and profile models, documents and other standards work products so they can be compared, coordinated and re-used across projects, jurisdictions and standards initiatives. As an informative report from ISO/TC 215, it is intended as a descriptive tool (not a prescriptive conformance standard) to support standards alignment, knowledge management and collaboration.
Key topics and (recommended) requirements
- HIPF classification matrix: a two‑dimensional matrix with dimensions of specificity and perspective used to locate artefacts.
- Specificity (rows): conceptual, logical and physical levels of abstraction.
- Perspective (columns): commonly the six viewpoints of what, how, where, who, when, why.
- The combination yields an 18‑cell partitioning of the health informatics domain for profiling artefacts.
- Artefact profiling: guidelines to analyse and place a standard artefact into one or more HIPF cells; optional attributes (e.g., approval status) can enrich profiles.
- Framework evolution and versioning: processes for updating the HIPF to keep it current and to support a growing knowledge base.
- Interoperability of descriptions: common vocabulary, terms and concepts to improve comparability and identify overlaps or gaps between standards initiatives.
- Practical tools and examples: annexes include background material, example meta‑models, framework cell examples and a prototype tool and exploration opportunities.
Note: ISO/TR 17119 is informational; it describes approaches and recommended classification guidelines rather than normative compliance requirements.
Applications
- Create comparable profiles of standards artefacts to identify duplication, alignment opportunities and integration points.
- Build or seed a global health informatics standards knowledge base by capturing consistent metadata and classifications.
- Support project planning, governance and coordination across standards bodies, vendors and implementers by clarifying artefact scope and intent.
- Facilitate transformation/mapping work when integrating models at different levels (conceptual → logical → physical).
Who should use this standard
- Health informatics standards developers and working groups (ISO/TC 215 participants)
- Standards program managers seeking to coordinate multi‑jurisdictional initiatives
- Architects and implementers who need to compare or integrate disparate health data models and specifications
- Knowledge managers building repositories of standards artefacts
Related frameworks and keywords
- Related to enterprise architecture concepts (inspired by the Zachman Framework).
- Useful search terms: ISO TR 17119, HIPF, health informatics profiling framework, health informatics standards, artefact profiling, standards classification, ISO/TC 215.