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?