There are multiple sources of direct and indirect information on and suggested structures for creating an enterprise ontology to use as a basis for enterprise modelling.

These sources include:

• Business process management frameworks

• Enterprise architecture models, tools and frameworks

• Previous projects and initiatives in the area of enterprise modelling

• Other ontologies

These subjects are all concerned to some degrees with modelling of the enterprise or elements of it, creating some form of abstract representation of the enterprise, describing its structure and functions and their interoperation, processes, information, technology and other resources types and elements.

They are all concerned with understanding the enterprise or elements of it with a view to and improving its operation and performance. These models generally focus on the areas of business structures (including people and locations), business processes and information technology (including data, applications and technical infrastructure). T

here is no one answer or one definitive statement of what an enterprise ontology should consist of. I would suggest an initial quick review of the sample sources of information listed below and the many others I have not listed but which are just as good or even better to understand what work has been done and what can be reused to create a composite and hybrid ontology.

Business Process Management Frameworks

APQC (American Productivity and Quality Center) PCF (Process Classification Framework) contains a generic process breakdown to allow work processes be defined consistently - https://www.apqc.org/process-performance-management/process-frameworks.

The Business Process Framework (eTOM)/ Frameworx mentioned below also contains a detailed process framework. Although focussed on telecommunication utilities, it can easily be applied elsewhere.

Enterprise Architecture Models, Tools And Frameworks

This is an old and partial list I created some time ago. Many of these contain an explicit or implicit enterprise ontology, albeit focussed on information technology.

• ArchiMate - https://www.archimatetool.com/, http://www.opengroup.org/subjectareas/enterprise/archimate

• Australian Defence Architecture Framework - http://www.defence.gov.au/publications/docs/Defence%20Capability%20Development%20Handbook%20(DCDH)%202014%20-%20internet%20copy.pdf

• Australian Government Architecture Reference Models - https://www.finance.gov.au/archive/policy-guides-procurement/australian-government-architecture-aga/

• Big Data Architecture Framework - https://bigdatawg.nist.gov/_uploadfiles/M0055_v1_7606723276.pdf

• Business Process Framework (eTOM)/ Frameworx - https://www.tmforum.org/business-process-framework/, https://www.tmforum.org/collaboration/frameworx-project/

• CBDI Service Architecture & Engineering (CBDI-SAE) for SOA - http://everware-cbdi.com/products/framework-products/cbdi-sae-metamodel

• CEA Framework: A Service Oriented Enterprise Architecture Framework (SOEAF) - http://www.jatit.org/volumes/Vol40No2/8Vol40No2.pdf

• Common Approach to Federal Enterprise Architecture - https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/egov_docs/common_approach_to_federal_ea.pdf

• CORA Model for IT Application Reference Architecture - http://www.coramodel.com/

• Data Management Book of Knowledge - https://www.dama.org/content/body-knowledge

• Department of National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces Architecture Framework - http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/about-policies-standards/dndaf.page

• Dragon1 - https://www.dragon1.com/enterprise-architecture-tool

• Dynamic Architecture - https://www.sogeti.nl/expertises/dya

• EAM Pattern Catalog - http://eam-initiative.org/pages/1dgrgdhvpv2y2/Enterprise-Architecture-Management-Pattern-Catalog

• Enterprise Architecture Body of Knowledge - http://eabok.org/

• ESS Enterprise Architecture Reference Framework - https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cros/content/ess-enterprise-architecture-reference-framework_en

• Essential Architecture Framework - https://www.enterprise-architecture.org/

• European Space Agency Architecture Framework - https://essr.esa.int/project/esa-architecture-framework

• Extreme Architecture Framework - http://extremearchitecture.org/

• Gartner’s Enterprise Architecture Framework - https://www.gartner.com/doc/486650/gartners-enterprise-architecture-process-framework

• ISO Reference Model for Open Distributed Processing - http://www.rm-odp.net/

• Leading Enterprise Architecture Development (LEAD)ing Practice - http://www.leadingpractice.com/

• MEGAF - http://megaf.di.univaq.it/

• Method for an Integrated Knowledge Environment - http://mike2.openmethodology.org/

• National Association of State Chief Information Officers - https://www.nascio.org/EA - https://www.nascio.org/portals/0/EAToolKit/NASCIO-AEADTool-Kitv3.pdf

• National Enterprise Architecture Framework - http://www.nea.gov.bh/

• NATO Architecture Framework - http://www.nhqc3s.nato.int/ARCHITECTURE/_docs/NAF_v3/ANNEX1.pdf

• NIST Enterprise Architecture Model - https://bigdatawg.nist.gov/_uploadfiles/M0197_v1_3201181507.pdf

• OIO Enterprise Architecture Method - http://arkitekturguiden.digitaliser.dk/introduction-national-enterprise-architecture-denmark

• Pragmatic Enterprise Architecture Framework - http://www.pragmaticea.com/

• Queensland Government Enterprise Architecture - https://www.qgcio.qld.gov.au/products/qgea-documents/547-business/2786-queensland-government-enterprise-architecture

• Rozanski and Woods - https://www.viewpoints-and-perspectives.info/

• The EPCglobal Architecture Framework - https://www.gs1.org/epcrfid-epcis-id-keys/epc-rfid-architecture-framework/1-7

• The Open Group Architecture Framework - http://www.opengroup.org/subjectareas/enterprise/togaf

• UK Ministry of Defence Architecture Framework - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mod-architecture-framework

• US Department of Defense Architecture Framework - http://dodcio.defense.gov/Library/DoD-Architecture-Framework/

• US Federal Enterprise Architecture Framework - https://www.feacinstitute.org/

• US OMB Enterprise Architecture Assessment Framework - https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/omb/E-Gov/eaaf

There are also commercial enterprise architecture tools that contain (implied) ontologies, such as:

- https://www.orbussoftware.com/us/enterprise-architecture/capabilities/ - iServer

- ARIS (Architecture of Integrated Information Systems) - https://www.softwareag.com/corporate/products/aris_alfabet/bpa/aris_architect/default.html

- Abacus - https://www.avolutionsoftware.com/

Previous Projects And Initiatives In The Area Of Enterprise Modelling

As many of these originate from an academic context, they are often partially completed and/or discontinued, such as:

• TOVE (TOronto Virtual Enterprise) Project - http://www.eil.utoronto.ca/theory/enterprise-modelling/tove/, http://www.eil.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/enterprise-modelling/papers/fox-tove-uofttr92.pdf

Other Ontologies

You could look at:

• Generalised Enterprise Reference Architecture and Methodology (GERAM) - http://www.ict.griffith.edu.au/~bernus/taskforce/geram/versions/geram1-6-3/v1.6.3.html

• Service-Oriented Architecture Ontology - https://www.opengroup.org/soa/source-book/ontologyv2/p1.htm

• ISO/IEC 15944-4:2015(en) Information technology — Business Operational View — Part 4: Business transaction scenarios — Accounting and economic ontology - https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:std:iso-iec:15944:-4:ed-2:v1:en

Alan,

Thanks for your answer. Great list of references too.

The perspective I am most interested in one the the projects I am working on is that of Reference Models (models created for optimal reuse without refactoring). Then, the ontology or architectural framework itself is a factor. Certain universals by their actual construction/definition when used will create a less reusable model.

Many thanks.

I have just added a draft paper defining an informal ontology appropriate for a reference enterprise ontology. The formal ontology section is to be written shortly.