SIP-055 — Architectural Element Conformance Classification

Go to Annex C: Requirements

The Conformance model SHALL classify each conformance-relevant architectural element as mandatory, optional, or conditional and SHALL define the conditions applicable to each conditional element.

Implementers and evaluators must know which architectural elements are always required, which may be omitted, and which become required under identified circumstances.

Explicit classification prevents optionality from being inferred inconsistently and prevents conditional obligations from being applied without defined triggering conditions. It also supports scoped Conformance claims and consistent evaluation across different implementation contexts.

A conforming Submission demonstrates that:

1. Each conformance-relevant architectural element is identified
2. Each identified element is classified as mandatory, optional, or conditional
3. Mandatory elements are required for every applicable Conformance claim
4. Optional elements may be omitted without invalidating an otherwise applicable Conformance claim
5. Requirements applicable when an optional element is implemented are defined
6. Triggering conditions for each conditional element are explicitly stated
7. Requirements applicable when a condition is satisfied are identified
8. Classification terms are used consistently throughout the specification
9. Dependencies among mandatory, optional, and conditional elements are defined
10. A Conformance assessor can determine which elements apply to a particular implementation
11. A Conformance claim records its applicable scope, conditions, and implemented optional elements

An optional element is not required. When an implementation claims or provides that element, the normative requirements applicable to the element still apply.

A conditional element becomes mandatory when its specified triggering conditions are satisfied. The Conformance model must define those conditions objectively.

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