Abstract:
The OAIS reference model is a well established “framework to understand significant
relationships among the entities” involved in digital preservation, which aims to
provide an abstract quality measure for the design of archival systems or
repositories. However, it also details on structural and behavioural issues. In order to
better decouple fundamental processes (required to be OAIS compliant) from
optional processes, and avoid the risk of subjective interpretations on non-formal
models, we propose to align OAIS with the Enterprise Architecture approach,
providing a formalization of the OAIS “Functional Model” using the Business Process
Modelling Notation. Finally, we claim that this approach is an effective advance to
better assess OAIS and its relevance in the development of digital preservation
solutions.
