ISO 15926 Part 2 defines an upper ontology that can also serves as the data model for implementations of the standard in computer applications. However, as it is formulated it does not satisfy the conditions of being a formal ontology. In particular, it can not serve as a general platform for reasoning, since it is not sufficiently constrained (has too much expressivity) and contains meta-predicates (second order classes) in addition to first order classes and individuals. In addition, it suffers from a number terminological deficiencies, such as definitions of terms that do not agree with corresponding definitions in, e.g., mathematics and physics. Part 2 has never-the-less been useful in organising the basic terminologies of particular engineering domains. SIG MMT will propose changes to the formulation of Part 2 in order to avoid the above deficiencies, without destroying the organisation of the many existing basic terminologies.
The construction of ontologies is a modelling activity, practised in all sciences, but in somewhat different ways. The members of the SIG MMT represent a variety of backgrounds and modelling experience which will be drawn upon in the identification in best practises in modelling. The result will be made available to the other SIG groups.
As illustrated by the following figure, ISO 15926 can be implemented in a number of different formats. Moreover, mappings be constructed to relate the different representations. It shall be a task for the SIG MMT to discuss the practical implications of the different implementations.
The information model of ISO 15926.
