Assessing FAIRness of the Digital Shadow Reference Model

Abstract

Models play a critical role in managing the vast amounts of data and increasing complexity found in the IoT, IIoT, and IoP domains. The Digital Shadow Reference Model, which serves as a foundational metadata schema for linking data and metadata in these environments, is an example of such a model. Ensuring FAIRness (adherence to the FAIR Principles) is critical because it improves data findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability, facilitating efficient data management and integration across systems. This paper presents an evaluation of the FAIRness of the Digital Shadow Reference Model using a structured evaluation framework based on the FAIR Data Principles. Using the concept of FAIR Implementation Profiles (FIPs), supplemented by a mini-questionnaire, we systematically evaluate the model's adherence to these principles. Our analysis identifies key strengths, including the model's metadata schema that supports rich descriptions and authentication techniques, and highlights areas for improvement, such as the need for globally unique identifiers and consequent support for different Web standards. The results provide actionable insights for improving the FAIRness of the model and promoting better data management and reuse. This research contributes to the field by providing a detailed assessment of the Digital Shadow Reference Model and recommending next steps to improve its FAIRness and usability.