Definition
A Policy is a governed set of rules that defines expected behavior or constraints applicable to one or more Objects. Policies express organizational intent independently of implementation technologies. Policies may be mandatory, recommended, or optional according to organizational governance.
Purpose
This document defines Policy within the OCOM Specification.
A Policy establishes governed rules that direct, constrain, or influence the behavior of Objects, operational activities, and organizational decisions.
Policies provide a consistent mechanism for enforcing governance across the OCOM ecosystem.
Business meaning
Policies ensure that operational activities remain aligned with organizational objectives, governance requirements, and regulatory obligations.
Rather than embedding rules within individual Objects, Policies provide reusable governance that can be consistently applied across multiple operational contexts.
Design principles
Every Policy shall:
- define governed rules
- support organizational objectives
- remain explicit
- support traceability
- support auditability
- remain technology independent
Core characteristics
- Identifier
- Name
- Purpose
- Scope
- Effective Date
- Description
- Policy Owner
- Applicable Objects
- Constraints
- Exceptions
- Review Schedule
- Expiration Date
Relationship to other specifications
Policy interacts with:
ocom:Objectocom:Capabilityocom:Constraintocom:Contractocom:Registryocom:Classificationocom:Ownershipocom:Evaluationocom:Governanceocom:Memory
Operational Memory retains Policies as part of the organizational context available when interpreting processes and decisions. Interpretation of a Policy's meaning and applicability remains the responsibility of the organization; Operational Memory preserves Policies but does not interpret them.
Compared with
- OCOM vs BPMN — Partial
Independence — does not prescribe
- policy engines
- rule languages
- workflow systems
- implementation technologies
Conformance
A compliant implementation shall ensure that every managed Policy:
- define governed Policies
- preserve Policy history
- support Policy governance
- maintain auditability
- remain technology independent
Provenance
Governance records: CAND-003
| Version | Date | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 20 July 2026 | Initial draft |
| 0.1 | 23 July 2026 | Added Memory to Relationship to Other Specifications; clarified that Operational Memory preserves but does not interpret Policy, per Principle 11 (ADR CAND-003) |