The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) proposes an organization that is based on coded and qualified information distinguishing functioning and disability codes. The aim of this study was to develop a tool able to use information converted into qualified codes proposed by the ICF to establish a measure of the health-related states for individuals and populations, and that represents reliable and valid indices for investment in health information systems.

We outlined a cross-sectional study with descriptive and exploratory aims for technological development, including quantitative and qualitative approaches to collective speech content analysis, and modelling of data of in a single case report. We perform three stages: (1) modelling of data coming from the information reported in the case to identify codes and qualify them; (2) survey of the requirements and face validation through focus group, which was heard the demands of future users of the software, beyond to establish a list of useful requirements for (3) development of the computer program.

The sequence of events followed the simulation model, producing theoretical results, conceptual, graphics and numeric components. The simulation revealed that the measure may be better represented by a three-dimensional model which considers the events over time, the ratio between functioning and disability codes and discrete events representing health condition hallmarks.

The model was validated by the focus group (face validation), resulting in a list of requirements that contributed to development of the preliminary version of the desired product: the DataCIF.