This document explains and positions architectural standards for SOA reference models and ontologies, reference architectures, maturity models, SOA modeling languages, and open standards work related to the topic of SOA governance. It also outlines the agreement on core SOA and SOA governance concepts. This document is intended to serve as a guide to the reader to help differentiate and select specifications appropriate to their needs.
An abundance of specifications and standards have emerged from the open standards organizations of OASIS, OMG, and The Open Group on the subject of Service Oriented Architecture (SOA). This joint document – contributed to by members of the OASIS SOA Reference Model Technical Committee (OASIS SOA-RM TC), OMG, and The Open Group – was written to help the SOA community at large to navigate the myriad of overlapping technical products produced by these organizations with specific emphasis on the “A” in SOA; i.e., Architecture.