SIP-021 — Independent Conformance Requirements

Go to Annex C: Requirements

The conformance Model SHALL define conformance requirements independently of Interface interaction definitions.

Conformance to a Reference Architecture may involve architectural elements, Roles, Models, Governance capabilities, lifecycle behavior, information Structures, or other obligations that cannot be evaluated solely by observing Interface interactions.

Defining conformance requirements independently allows them to apply to the appropriate architectural subjects and prevents Interface definitions from becoming the only source of conformance obligations. Interface interactions may provide conformance Evidence without containing the complete conformance model.

The Submission satisfies this requirement when the conformance Model:

1. Represents conformance requirements as identifiable constructs
2. Defines each requirement independently of an Interface interaction definition
3. Identifies the architectural subject to which each requirement applies
4. Defines the conditions for satisfying each requirement
5. Supports Traceability from each requirement to the applicable Reference Architecture element
6. Allows an Interface interaction to provide Evidence for a requirement without becoming the authoritative source of that requirement
7. Supports conformance assessment for architectural concerns that are not externally observable through an Interface
8. Distinguishes conformance requirements from Interface Contracts and interaction behavior

Independent does not mean unrelated. A conformance requirement may reference an Interface, Interface Contract, interaction, or exchanged information when those constructs are relevant to determining conformance.

SIP-022 — Technology-Independent Conformance Points separately requires conformance points that can be inspected and verified independently of implementation technology.