Ontology¶
An ontology is a governed representation of concepts and relationships that helps different contexts reason about shared meaning.
It should not be confused with a single enterprise-wide canonical data model.
Bounded rather than universal¶
Large organisations contain legitimate differences in language and perspective. The aim is not to erase those differences, but to make relationships, equivalences, conflicts and translations explicit.
A practical ontology therefore grows through governed semantic flow across bounded contexts.
Automation¶
Formal representations such as RDF, OWL and SHACL can support graph representation, reasoning and validation. They do not remove the need for human authority over business meaning.
AI can assist with discovery, drafting, mapping and reconciliation. It should scribe semantics, not manufacture organisational truth.
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