Object

Definition

An Object is an identifiable and governable element that exists within the operational model. An Object represents something that can be described, managed, related, evaluated, or governed throughout its lifecycle. Objects are independent of implementation technologies and business domains.

Purpose

This document defines the concept of an Object within the OCOM Specification.

Object is the fundamental architectural construct used to represent any managed element within an organization.

All higher-level specifications are built upon this common abstraction.

Business meaning

Objects provide a consistent representation for organizational elements.

Using a common Object model enables interoperability, traceability, governance, and reuse across the entire OCOM ecosystem.

Design principles

Every Object shall:

• possess an identity
• contain metadata
• support relationships
• participate in governance
• support lifecycle management
• be independently identifiable
• remain technology independent

Core characteristics

Every Object is defined by the following characteristics:

• Identity
• Metadata
• Classification
• Relationships
• Lifecycle
• Ownership
• Governance

Objects may additionally support:

• Evaluation
• Versioning
• Capabilities
• Policies
• Contracts
• Constraints

Relationship to other specifications

Compared with

Read as: OCOM term, the nearest concept in the other model, and how close they are. Similar means the two carry the same intent; Partial means they overlap but differ in scope or obligation; None means the other model has no counterpart. The verdicts are site-published editorial judgments, not normative.

• OCOM vs BPMN: Partial (Data Object)
• OCOM vs Digital Twin: Partial (Twin / asset model)
• OCOM vs Knowledge Graph: Partial (Entity)
• OCOM vs Ontology: Partial (Class / Individual)
• OCOM vs Data Model: Partial (Entity / Table)
• OCOM vs Process Model: Partial (Data object / Artifact)
• OCOM vs ArchiMate: Partial (Business Object)
• OCOM vs Domain-Driven Design: Partial (Aggregate)
• OCOM vs MDM: Partial (Master Data Entity)

Examples of Objects

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Entity
• Domain
• Workflow
• Event
• Lifecycle
• Agent
• Tool
• Prompt
• Context
• Knowledge
• Memory Record
• Policy
• Registry
• Contract
• Organization

Organizations may define additional Object types.

Architectural role

Object is the universal abstraction within OCOM.

All managed concepts defined by the specification are specializations of Object.

Specifications may extend Object but shall preserve its core characteristics.

This principle is canonically stated in Constitution §1 — Object-Centric Reality (Core/Constitution.md).

Independence

The Object specification does not prescribe:

• implementation technologies
• storage mechanisms
• programming languages
• communication protocols
• deployment architectures

Objects may be implemented using any compatible technology.

Object Identity

Every Object shall possess a unique identity.

Identity shall remain stable throughout the Object's existence.

Identity management is defined by the Identity specification.

Object Metadata

Objects may contain descriptive metadata.

Metadata provides contextual information without altering the Object's identity.

Metadata management is defined by the Metadata specification.

Object Relationships

Objects may participate in one or more Relationships.

Relationships describe meaningful associations between Objects.

Relationship semantics are defined by the Relationship specification.

Object References

Objects may reference other Objects.

References provide navigational links without implying business semantics.

Reference management is defined by the Reference specification.

Object Lifecycle

Every managed Object should participate in a Lifecycle appropriate to its purpose.

Lifecycle behavior is defined by the applicable Lifecycle specification.

Object Ownership

Objects should have defined ownership appropriate to organizational governance.

Ownership establishes responsibility and accountability.

Ownership is defined by the Ownership specification.

Object Classification

Objects may be classified according to organizational requirements.

Classification enables grouping, filtering, governance, and operational organization.

Classification is defined by the Classification specification.

Object Capabilities

Objects may expose one or more Capabilities.

Capabilities describe what an Object is able to provide or perform.

Capability management is defined by the Capability specification.

Object Policies

Objects may be governed by one or more Policies.

Policies define organizational rules applicable to the Object.

Policy behavior is defined by the Policy specification.

Object Constraints

Objects may define operational Constraints.

Constraints establish conditions, limitations, or requirements governing Object behavior.

Constraint management is defined by the Constraint specification.

Object Contracts

Objects may interact through governed Contracts.

Contracts define the expectations, responsibilities, and obligations between participating Objects.

Contract behavior is defined by the Contract specification.

Conformance

A compliant implementation shall ensure that every managed Object:

• possesses a unique identity
• supports metadata
• can participate in relationships
• supports governance
• preserves traceability
• remains technology independent

Provenance

Governance records: CAND-005, CAND-006

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