1. Executive Summary

The Integration Standards Library (ISL) is a production-ready accelerator deployed at every Enterprise Data Architecture engagement. Rather than building governance artifacts from scratch at each client, engagement teams adapt pre-built standards modules to client context — saving 200–400 hours per engagement and compressing Phase 4 timelines from 12–16 weeks down to 8 weeks.

This roadmap defines the engagement deployment sequence — the precise order in which engagement teams adapt and deliver pre-built standards modules, the prerequisites required before deployment begins, and the phase gates that ensure quality and client sign-off at every step.

Engagement Hours Impact

Metric Hours
Baseline Hours (Phase 4 without ISL) 500–700
Accelerated Hours (with ISL) ~300
Total Per-Engagement Savings 200–400
Reduction 30–57%

2. Scope & Module Inventory

Module Breakdown

Module ID Accelerated Hrs Baseline Hrs Hours Saved Reduction %
Naming Conventions ISL-03 10–18 30–50 20–32 55–65%
Data Classification ISL-04 25–40 60–100 35–60 50–60%
API Governance ISL-01 20–35 80–120 60–85 55–70%
Data Quality ISL-06 20–35 50–80 30–45 50–60%
Metadata & Lineage ISL-02 30–50 100–160 70–110 60–70%
Integration Patterns ISL-05 30–45 80–120 60–90 35–45%
Setup + Validation — 80 120–160 40–80 33–50%
Total ~300 500–700 200–400 30–57%

Deployment Order

Deploy modules in this order — each layer depends on the one before it:

Deploy in this order ISL-03: Naming Conventions (Phase 1 — Foundation) └──▶ ISL-04: Data Classification (Phase 1 — Foundation) ├──▶ ISL-01: API Governance (Phase 2 — Core) ◄── ISL-03 ├──▶ ISL-06: Data Quality (Phase 2 — Core) ◄── ISL-03 ├──▶ ISL-02: Metadata & Lineage (Phase 3 — Advanced) ◄── ISL-03, ISL-06 └──▶ ISL-05: Integration Patterns (Phase 3 — Advanced) ◄── ISL-03, ISL-01, ISL-06 └──▶ Validation & Handoff (Phase 4) ◄── All modules

ISL-03 (Naming Conventions) is the foundational module — every other module references its vocabulary and patterns. ISL-04 (Data Classification) establishes security tiers referenced by API governance, quality SLAs, and metadata attributes. Deploying in this order prevents rework and ensures cross-module consistency.

3. Prerequisites & Dependencies

Engagement Prerequisites

The following must be in place before ISL deployment begins:

  • Client Fabric/Azure environment access — workspace provisioned, permissions granted
  • Stakeholder alignment — data governance, architecture, and security stakeholders identified and committed
  • Engagement SOW with Phase 4 scope defined — modules selected, timeline agreed
  • ISL v1.0 deployed to engagement workspace — repository cloned, templates accessible

Engagement Team

Role Allocation Capacity Primary Modules
Engagement Lead 60% 30 hrs/sprint All — design authority, client liaison
Integration Architect 80% 40 hrs/sprint ISL-01, ISL-03, ISL-05
Data Governance Lead 80% 40 hrs/sprint ISL-02, ISL-04, ISL-06
Client Stakeholder 20% 10 hrs/sprint All — review and approval
Total 120 hrs/sprint

4. Phase 0: Accelerator Setup & Assessment

Week 1
⏱ ~40 hours accelerated 📅 1 week ▶ Pre-deployment

Deploy the ISL to the engagement workspace, assess client maturity, select applicable modules, and lock scope before adaptation begins.

  • Deploy ISL repository to engagement workspace — clone, configure, verify access
  • Run maturity assessment — evaluate client governance maturity across 6 domains
  • Score client across 6 domains — determine Crawl/Walk/Run tier per module
  • Select modules and customize checklists — tailor adaptation scope to client needs
  • Lock scope — finalize module selection and adaptation depth per SOW
Baseline (without ISL) 60–80 hrs Manual discovery, custom assessment design, scope negotiation from scratch
Accelerated (with ISL) ~40 hrs Pre-built assessment, template checklists, structured scope lock
33–50% reduction | 20–40 hours saved

Phase 0 Exit Gate

  • ISL deployed and verified in engagement workspace
  • Client maturity scored across all 6 domains
  • Module selection finalized and approved by Engagement Lead
  • Adaptation checklists customized per client context
  • Phase 4 scope locked — proceed to Phase 1

5. Phase 1: Foundation Standards Deployment

Weeks 2–3
⏱ ~60 hours accelerated 📅 2 weeks ▶ Foundation layer

Foundation modules deploy first because every subsequent module depends on them. ISL-03 (Naming Conventions) establishes the vocabulary; ISL-04 (Data Classification) establishes the security framework. Both are adapted to client-specific Fabric environment and compliance requirements.

ISL-03: Naming Convention Standards

Adapt ISL-03 naming conventions to the client Fabric environment — workspace names, lakehouse schemas, pipeline conventions, and abbreviation dictionaries customized to client domain.

Adaptation Task Description Hours
Environment mapping Map ISL naming templates to client Fabric workspace structure 3–5
Domain customization Adapt abbreviation dictionary and domain-specific naming to client industry 3–5
Enforcement rules Configure Azure Policy definitions and linting rules for client environment 2–4
Client review Stakeholder walkthrough and approval 2–4
Subtotal 10–18

ISL-04: Data Classification Framework

Adapt ISL-04 data classification to client compliance requirements — sensitivity tiers, labeling policies, and handling procedures mapped to client regulatory landscape.

Adaptation Task Description Hours
Compliance mapping Map ISL classification tiers to client regulatory requirements (SOX, GDPR, HIPAA, ITAR) 8–12
Sensitivity labels Configure Purview sensitivity labels for client data landscape 6–10
Handling procedures Adapt data handling and access control procedures to client security model 6–10
Client review Security and compliance stakeholder walkthrough and approval 5–8
Subtotal 25–40
Baseline (without ISL) 90–150 hrs Author naming conventions and classification framework from scratch per client
Accelerated (with ISL) ~60 hrs Adapt pre-built ISL-03 and ISL-04 modules to client context
33–60% reduction | 30–90 hours saved

Phase 1 Exit Gate

  • ISL-03 naming conventions adapted and approved by client
  • ISL-04 data classification adapted and approved by client security
  • Foundation vocabulary and security tiers locked for downstream modules

6. Phase 2: Core Standards Deployment

Weeks 4–5
⏱ ~70 hours accelerated 📅 2 weeks ▶ Core layer

Core modules build on the foundation and cover the two most universally applicable governance domains: API management and data quality. Both reference ISL-03 naming and ISL-04 classification tiers deployed in Phase 1.

ISL-01: API Governance Standards

Adapt ISL-01 API governance to the client tech stack — API design standards, versioning, security, and lifecycle management customized to client API management platform and integration patterns.

Adaptation Task Description Hours
Tech stack mapping Map ISL API templates to client APIM, gateway, and integration platform 6–10
Security alignment Adapt API security standards to client auth model and ISL-04 classification 5–8
OWASP cross-reference Validate all API standards against OWASP API Security Top 10 3–5
Lifecycle and versioning Adapt API lifecycle and versioning to client release cadence 3–6
Client review Architecture stakeholder walkthrough and approval 3–6
Subtotal 20–35

ISL-06: Data Quality Standards

Adapt ISL-06 data quality to the client data landscape — quality dimensions, SLA frameworks, rule libraries, and monitoring patterns customized to client data sources and business requirements.

Adaptation Task Description Hours
Data landscape mapping Map quality dimensions and SLAs to client data sources and criticality 6–10
Rule library customization Select and adapt pre-built quality rules for client domain 5–10
Monitoring and remediation Configure quality monitoring and remediation workflows for client platform 5–8
Client review Data governance stakeholder walkthrough and approval 4–7
Subtotal 20–35
Baseline (without ISL) 130–200 hrs Author API governance and data quality frameworks from scratch per client
Accelerated (with ISL) ~70 hrs Adapt pre-built ISL-01 and ISL-06 modules to client tech stack
46–65% reduction | 60–130 hours saved

Phase 2 Exit Gate

  • ISL-01 API governance adapted and approved by client architecture
  • ISL-06 data quality adapted and approved by client data governance
  • OWASP cross-reference validation complete — zero gaps
  • Core standards locked for downstream modules

7. Phase 3: Advanced Standards Deployment

Weeks 5–7
⏱ ~90 hours accelerated 📅 3 weeks ▶ Advanced layer

Advanced modules are the most complex and provide the deepest per-engagement savings. They depend on all foundation and core modules, and require 3 weeks to accommodate the higher adaptation effort and client review cycles.

ISL-02: Metadata & Data Lineage Framework

Adapt ISL-02 metadata and lineage to the client Purview/catalog environment — business glossary, technical metadata schema, lineage requirements, and catalog governance customized to client data estate.

Adaptation Task Description Hours
Catalog mapping Map ISL metadata templates to client Purview/catalog structure and taxonomy 8–14
Glossary customization Adapt business glossary structure and terms to client domain vocabulary 6–10
Lineage configuration Configure lineage requirements for client data pipelines and transformations 8–14
Manufacturing overlays IoT/OT metadata, ERP mapping, product data management (if applicable) 4–6
Client review Data governance and catalog stakeholder walkthrough and approval 4–6
Subtotal 30–50

ISL-05: Integration Pattern Library

Adapt ISL-05 integration patterns to client architecture — pattern selection, architecture diagrams, and decision frameworks customized to client source systems and integration requirements.

Adaptation Task Description Hours
Architecture mapping Map ISL integration patterns to client source systems and target architecture 10–15
Pattern selection Select applicable patterns from library based on client requirements 6–10
Diagram customization Adapt architecture diagrams to client-specific landscape 6–10
Manufacturing overlays ERP extract, IoT ingestion, and OT integration patterns (if applicable) 4–5
Client review Architecture stakeholder walkthrough and approval 4–5
Subtotal 30–45
Baseline (without ISL) 160–240 hrs Author metadata, lineage, and integration pattern frameworks from scratch per client
Accelerated (with ISL) ~90 hrs Adapt pre-built ISL-02 and ISL-05 modules to client architecture
44–63% reduction | 70–150 hours saved

Phase 3 Exit Gate

  • ISL-02 metadata and lineage adapted and approved by client data governance
  • ISL-05 integration patterns adapted and approved by client architecture
  • Manufacturing overlays applied where applicable
  • All 6 modules adapted — proceed to validation

8. Phase 4: Validation & Handoff

Week 8
⏱ ~40 hours accelerated 📅 1 week ▶ Final validation

The final phase ensures cross-module consistency, validates compliance alignment, delivers the final client presentation, and hands off to the implementation team.

Cross-Module Consistency Review

  • ISL-03 naming conventions used consistently across all 6 adapted modules
  • ISL-04 classification tiers referenced correctly in API, quality, and metadata modules
  • Terminology alignment verified — no conflicting definitions across modules
  • Cross-references between modules validated and linked

Compliance Alignment Audit

  • OWASP API Security Top 10 — zero gaps in ISL-01 adapted standards
  • Client regulatory requirements — SOX, GDPR, HIPAA, ITAR coverage verified
  • Azure Cloud Adoption Framework — alignment confirmed for naming and governance
  • DAMA DMBOK — metadata and quality standards alignment verified

Final Client Presentation & Sign-Off

  • Executive summary presentation prepared for client leadership
  • Module-by-module walkthrough with client stakeholders
  • Formal client sign-off on all adapted standards

Implementation Team Handoff

  • Handoff package assembled — all adapted modules, decision logs, and adaptation notes
  • Implementation team briefing — walkthrough of standards and enforcement guidance
  • Knowledge transfer complete — client team can maintain standards independently
Baseline (without ISL) 60–80 hrs Ad-hoc review, manual consistency checks, custom handoff documentation
Accelerated (with ISL) ~40 hrs Structured validation checklists, pre-built handoff templates, automated cross-references
33–50% reduction | 20–40 hours saved

9. Risk Register

Engagement delivery risks and mitigations for ISL deployment:

ID Risk Probability Impact Mitigation
R1 Client has existing standards that conflict with ISL modules Medium Medium Discovery in Phase 0; adapt rather than replace — integrate client standards where possible
R2 Client maturity too low for full adoption Medium Medium Crawl/Walk/Run tiers built into each module; scope to appropriate tier in Phase 0
R3 Scope creep beyond agreed modules High Medium Fixed module scope per SOW; additional requests deferred to v2 engagement
R4 Stakeholder availability for reviews Medium High Schedule review workshops at engagement kickoff; book all sessions in Phase 0
R5 Technology stack differs from templates Low Medium Templates are platform-agnostic; adaptation workflow handles variance in Phase 1–3
R6 Cross-module inconsistency after adaptation Medium Medium ISL-03 naming enforced first; cross-validation in Phase 4 catches drift

10. Success Criteria

Quantitative

  • All selected modules adapted and approved by client — 6/6 modules delivered
  • Engagement hours within 300-hr accelerated budget — ±15% tolerance
  • Phase 4 timeline ≤ 8 weeks — vs. 12–16 week baseline
  • Client satisfaction ≥ 4/5 — measured via post-engagement survey

Qualitative

  • Cross-module consistency verified — naming conventions from ISL-03 used uniformly
  • Compliance coverage zero gaps — OWASP, NIST, DAMA, CAF alignment confirmed
  • Client team can maintain standards independently — no ongoing dependency on engagement team
  • Implementation team handoff clean — no rework required, all artifacts self-documenting

11. Reference Standards & Frameworks

Each ISL module aligns to recognized industry standards. The following frameworks are cross-referenced during adaptation to ensure compliance and best-practice alignment:

Framework Scope ISL Modules
OWASP API Security Top 10 (2023) API security controls, threat mitigation, authentication/authorization ISL-01
Azure Cloud Adoption Framework (CAF) Resource naming, tagging, governance patterns, landing zone design ISL-03, ISL-05
Microsoft Purview Sensitivity labels, metadata schema, data lineage, catalog governance ISL-02, ISL-04
Microsoft Fabric / OneLake Workspace naming, lakehouse conventions, pipeline standards ISL-03, ISL-05
DAMA DMBOK Data management body of knowledge — quality, metadata, governance ISL-02, ISL-06
ISO 27001 / NIST 800-53 Information security, data classification controls, access management ISL-04
Microsoft REST API Guidelines API design standards, versioning, error handling, pagination ISL-01
SOX / GDPR / HIPAA / ITAR Regulatory compliance — data handling, classification, audit requirements ISL-04, ISL-06