Jim,
I would agree that
IEEE 1471 is the standard for enterprise architecture descriptions.
However, I would question its relevance for describing Enterprise Architecture
Ontologies. IMHO, IEE 1471, FEA, TOGAF and C4ISR are frameworks. The problem
with a framework is that it does not provide explicit set of guidelines for
creating definitions. It has been my experience that EA projects rise
and fall on the ability to reach consensus on definitions (e.g. objective,
function, IS-A relationships, IS-Part-Of). Ontology Engineering principles and
the underlying logic systems would provide a better tool for evaluating
definitions than the current EA frameworks and give EA architects a more
robust platform for performing trade-off analysis.
-----Original
Message-----
From:
owner-standard-upper-ontology@listserv.ieee.org
[mailto:owner-standard-upper-ontology@listserv.ieee.org] On Behalf Of Zachary
Alexander
Sent: Wednesday,
November 10, 2004 12:29 PM
To: 'Schoening, James R CECOM DCSC4I';
standard-upper-ontology@listserv.ieee.org
Subject: RE: Ontologies for describing
Enterprise Architectures
Jim,
I have
not seen any announcements of Enterprise Architecture Ontology Work.
However,
using ontology engineering practices should really help in standardizing
Enterprise Architecture Descriptions. If you are thinking about developing an
EA ontology, I would look at the presentation Leo Orbst gave to the Ontoforum.
The presentation really outlines the differences in ontology representation.
The ontology representation will have a huge impact on the
Enterprise Architecture description and the potential to do automated
reasoning about the resources. I would also look at some of the old semantic
modeling discussions, circa 1980, early 1990.
[1]
http://ontolog.cim3.net/file/resource/tutorial/OntologiesForSemanticallyInteroperableSystems-ONTOLOG--LeoObrst_20040115b_files/frame.htm
-----Original
Message-----
From:
owner-standard-upper-ontology@listserv.ieee.org
[mailto:owner-standard-upper-ontology@listserv.ieee.org] On Behalf Of Schoening, James R CECOM
DCSC4I
Sent: Wednesday,
November 10, 2004 10:57 AM
To:
'standard-upper-ontology@listserv.ieee.org'
Subject: Ontologies for describing
Enterprise Architectures
'Enterprise
Architectures' are in vogue, but when a large organization has multiple
subordinant organizations independently developing their own enterprise
architectures, there barely relate.
Is anyone
aware of the use of an ontology for describing an Enterprise
Architecture? Or better yet, use of a common domain ontology for
describing multiple architectures?