BACKGROUND:
Visual modeling methods integrate new and dynamic system engineering and development principles with registry programmatic, operations and development requirements. Modeling is especially valuable for inter-disciplinary operations and information integration between technical system developers and stakeholders with different backgrounds (e.g., epidemiologists, doctors, nurses, managers, information technologists, administrators). Visual models can serve to bridge the technical and cultural language barriers between registry staff, program managers and the user community. Modeling assumes constant change between registries and stakeholders. Given this, the use of modern modeling methods and tools offer an enhancement to one-time, static system design methodologies. The modeling experience can also serve as useful communication tool for education and training. The collaborative process of modeling can serve to improve, authenticate, and inform registry requirements development.

OBJECTIVE:
The primary purpose of the Immunization Registry Modeling Research Project is to leverage the advantages of modern, formal, visual modeling techniques, and apply them to the immunization registry development efforts.

METHOD:
The Unified Modeling Language (UML) diagramming instruments were used to visually describe the complexity of the immunization registration processes and site operations and requirements. Facilitated sessions techniques were used to develop and validate diagrams during the modeling sessions at Pennsylvania and Massachusetts Immunization Registries.

RESULT:
Facilitated modeling sessions were conducted at the Pennsylvania and Massachusetts Immunization Registries. Initial drafts of diagrams reflecting aspects of immunization registry operations and programmatic requirements are developed.

CONCLUSION:
Formal, dynamic, engineering methods of visual modeling were applied and found to be applicable and adequate instruments to depict the Immunization Information Systems (IIS) domain. The resulting diagrams provide visual illustrations (pictorial map) for some aspects of the immunization registration process.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
To learn how modern business engineering/modeling techniques can be applied to analysis, documentation, and improvement of immunization registries’ operations.