6.6.2 An Ontology For Standards

Abstract

AbstractThe paper continues the exploration of standards that the authors initiated in [1] and continued in [2] and [3]. It provides an ontology for standards—a specification of the things and relationships relevant to the topic of standards. The ontology is presented using the ISO standard graphical language, EXPRESS‐G. It uses concepts from mathematical logic to clarify the content, meaning, and use of standards. Characteristics and elements of standards that are independent of any particular usage of the standard are defined. The subject matter of standardization is classified and a taxonomy is presented. Instances of earliest use of each part of the taxonomy are described. The means of establishing standards is discussed, together with the question of voluntary versus mandatory compliance. The paper closes with a set of conclusions regarding management process standards. The paper concentrates on those aspects of standards of importance to systems engineering, and includes numerous illustrative examples.