Modify Credential Definition Category System and Type to be open option sets #1064
Description
This is for capturing needs not currently supported by the CEDS model. Please do not send or share actual data as examples in this issue or in attachments.
Author(s) CJ Gilbert
Authoring Organization(s) CEPI, Michigan
Email address GilbertC6@Michigan.gov
Use Case Title
Modify Credential Definition Category System and Type to be open option sets
Use Case Description
This is a proposal to change Credential Definition Category System (P001245) and Credential Definition Category Type (P000892) from being alphanumeric data types to being open option sets that can be defined by the organizations.
Use Case Background
When these two CEDS elements were created, they were made to be alphanumeric fields so that organizations could define the systems and types to meet their own needs. Alphanumeric fields work for this purpose, but an open option set would be better. When an element has an open option set, the organization still has the flexibility to define their own systems and types by adding them as options to the 'open' set, but this has the added benefit that the organization can also easily use SHACL to enforce those defined systems and types.
The difference is whether we want fields that work like a user typing something into a text box (i.e. alphanumeric field) or choosing an option from a dropdown box (i.e. option set). Because consistency in our categorizations is very important, an option set is Michigan’s preferred datatype for this type of element.