Glossary & Reference

A Reference Architecture is a controlled and documented example of how applicable System05 principles, rules, requirements, systems, modules, interfaces, and lifecycle processes may be organized into a coherent implementation.

A Reference Architecture may provide:

system boundaries and decomposition;

reference configurations;

interface mappings;

representative component families;

data and control flows;

lifecycle relationships;

verification pathways;

regional or use-case assumptions.

A Reference Architecture is authoritative as a reference but is not automatically mandatory as an implementation. Alternative architectures may be accepted when they satisfy all applicable requirements and demonstrate equivalent or superior conformance.

Mandatory elements within a Reference Architecture shall be explicitly identified and traced to their controlling requirements.

Similarity to a Reference Architecture does not establish System05 conformance. Conformance depends on satisfaction of applicable requirements, interfaces, compatibility conditions, and evidence obligations.