====== SIP-027 — Ontology, Vocabulary, and Taxonomy Exclusion ======

[[public:00-sip-ra:99-annexes:annex-c-requirements:start|Go to Annex C: Requirements]]

===== Statement =====

The proposed [[public:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:r:reference_architecture|Reference Architecture]] SHALL NOT standardize a specific [[public:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:o:ontology|Ontology]], [[public:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:v:vocabulary|Vocabulary]], or [[public:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:taxonomy|Domain Taxonomy]].

===== Rationale =====

Ontologies, Vocabularies, and Domain Taxonomies express concepts and meanings established for particular communities, Domains, authorities, or purposes. Selecting one such Artifact as the required semantic content of SIP-RA would limit applicability and could displace existing authoritative semantic resources.

SIP-RA must define how semantic Artifacts are identified, governed, versioned, related, mapped, and applied. The responsible Domain or Community of Interest retains Authority over the semantic content itself.

===== Evaluation Criteria =====

The Submission satisfies this requirement when the proposed Reference Architecture:

  - Avoids defining normative concepts or terms for a particular Domain
  - Avoids requiring a specific Ontology, Vocabulary, or Domain Taxonomy
  - Represents semantic Artifacts as governed inputs or external resources
  - Supports multiple independently governed semantic Artifacts
  - Supports mappings among semantic Artifacts without replacing their authoritative definitions
  - Distinguishes nonnormative semantic examples from the normative architecture
  - Avoids making conformance dependent on a particular Domain Ontology, Vocabulary, or Taxonomy

===== Referenced By =====

{{backlinks>public:00-sip-ra:99-annexes:annex-c-requirements:sip-027-ontology-vocabulary-and-taxonomy-exclusion}}

===== Notes for Editors =====

This exclusion does not prevent the Reference Architecture from defining abstract semantic constructs, semantic relationships, mapping capabilities, lifecycle Governance, or interfaces for using semantic Artifacts.

A Submission may use an existing Ontology, Vocabulary, or Taxonomy as a nonnormative example without making that Artifact part of the SIP-RA normative content.

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