Classification Scheme

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A Classification Scheme provides a system for defining Classifiers and allocating those Classifiers to things.

A Classification Scheme may organize its Classifiers as a controlled vocabulary, taxonomy, hierarchy, partial order, network, or ontology. It may also specify rules for assigning its Classifiers.

Within an Agreement classification model, an Agreement Classification Scheme defines the available Agreement Types. An Agreement Type is a Classifier defined within the scheme and assigned to an Agreement.

For example, an Agreement Classification Scheme may define Master Agreement, Service Agreement, Collateral Agreement, and Settlement Agreement as Agreement Types.

The Classification Scheme identifies the system used for classification. The Agreement Type identifies the classification assigned to the Agreement.

system for defining classifiers and allocating them to things

Adapted from:

• OMG Commons Ontology Library 1.2, Classifiers Ontology, Classification Scheme
• OMG Commons Classifiers Ontology
• ISO/IEC 11179-3, Information technology — Metadata registries — Part 3: Metamodel for registry common facilities

The OMG Commons Classifiers Ontology defines a Classification Scheme as a system for allocating Classifiers to things. The ontology derives its Classification Scheme pattern in part from ISO 1087-1 and ISO/IEC 11179-3.

• A Classifier is a standardized classification or delineation defined within a specified context
• A Classification Scheme defines or contains the Classifiers available for assignment
• A Classification Scheme may define rules governing how its Classifiers are assigned
• A Classification Scheme may organize Classifiers hierarchically or through other defined relationships
• A Classification Scheme may permit more than one Classifier to be assigned to the same thing
• An exclusive Classification Scheme permits no more than one of its Classifiers to be assigned to the same thing
• The same thing may be classified under more than one Classification Scheme
• A Classification Scheme is distinct from a Classifier defined within the scheme
• A Classification Scheme is distinct from the assignment of a Classifier to a thing
• The version of a Classification Scheme may affect the available Classifiers and assignment rules

An Agreement Classification Scheme defines Agreement Types used to classify Agreements.

Master Agreement, Service Agreement, and Collateral Agreement are Classifiers defined within the Agreement Classification Scheme.

The statement “Agreement A is classified as a Master Agreement under Agreement Classification Scheme version 2.0” identifies:

• Agreement A as the thing being classified
• Master Agreement as the assigned Agreement Type
• Agreement Classification Scheme as the system defining the Agreement Type
• Version 2.0 as the applicable version of the Classification Scheme