Electronic+Service+Information+Discovery+-+Harmonization+Approach

**Harmonization Approach**
The harmonization approach for the Query for Electronic Service Information Use Case is designed to conduct a thorough analysis of the data elements defined in the use case and their potential mappings to standards applicable to electronic service information discovery. The highlighted portion of the diagram below outlines the focus of our planned efforts for the harmonization process.


 * 1) Using the data elements provided in the Electronic Service Information Discovery Use Case (Section 12), the workgroup will create, present, and refine a data model.This data model will further define each data element and may add potential datatypes to each element.
 * 2) The workgroup will map the data elements set forth in the Electronic Service Information Discovery Use Case to three standards for consideration: LDAP x.500/SRV, IHE HPD, and X12N 274.
 * 3) The workgroup will analyze the implications surrounding how the data element set maps to each standard and document this as part of an initial consensus.
 * 4) **NOTE - Step 4 is not part of the current harmonization approach.** Implementation and transport guidance may be addressed as a corollary to the harmonization process, but this will not be included as a part of the scope of work at this time.



The following table outlines each area of activity that the workgroup will be focusing on:
 * **Area of Harmonization Analysis** || **Description of Area of Analysis** || **Status** ||
 * Review Data Model || The harmonization team will analyze and group the elements of the data set set forth in the Electronic Service Information Discovery Use Case into entities containing attributes. || TBD ||
 * Analyze Standards/Data Element Mappings || In the context of the work completed in Step 2 of the harmonization process (mapping of data elements to standards), the workgroup will develop an initial analysis for each standard that will form the basis of consensus statements for the workgroup || TBD ||
 * Prepare Consensus Mapping Analysis Statements || Once these activities have been completed, formal consensus statements will be documented on the wiki for review and consensus voting by each workgroup member. **These consensus statements will specifically be focused on findings from the data element mapping.** || TBD ||

Dataset Evaluation
The following standards will be analyzed using the dataset evaluation from Step 2 of the harmonization process as their primary evaluative documentation:



Assumptions
Several assumptions are adopted as part of harmonization surrounding this specific initiative. They include:
 * STEP 4 is not in scope at this time. It is listed here solely to outline possible future steps to be taken by this workgroup once initial steps are completed.
 * Critical Scoping Assumption - Focus on defining the use case and minimum data elements within a Provider Directory to support such queries for electronic service information.
 * There are still open assumptions that may also require further workgroup review and clarification.

Risks
Risks encountered by the workgroup can be captured in this section of the wiki and may also be incorporated in the consensus statements. The workgroup can also assume all the risks of the Query for Electronic Service Information Use Case as valid and propose potential mitigation.

Timeline for Harmonization
As the workgroup kicks off activities, the timeline for harmonization will be further clarified and defined.