In this paper we have presented MoSaIC, a model based approach
to integrate reference models. The core idea is to represent each
RM in a dedicated Integration Structure Model (ISM) and the
common concepts in one central Integration Concept Model
(ICM). The created ISMs and the ICM allow a semantic integration
of RMs. As each RM-ISM contains the most important RM
information, it provides a condensed overview for organizations.
Furthermore, the integration of RMs eases the understanding and
avoids misinterpretations of terms and concepts used in RMs
(Q21), because the concepts are associated with their synonyms
and contexts in the RM-ISMs. Every new RM may enrich the
description of a concept and ease its comprehension. Therefore,
the more RMs are integrated, the smarter the ICM will become.
The fine granularity of the models (ISMs and ICM) enables to
model RMs on different levels of abstraction: abstract, concrete
RMs and even internal processes can be easily integrated in the
MoSaIC Integration Model. Furthermore, the integration of abstract
and concrete RMs supports a better understanding of a
certain area that is addressed by both of them (Q21).
Our approach allows a detailed and efficient comparison of RM
procedures (Q22). The fine grained model elements, the concepts
connecting the procedures, and the semantic concept relations
allow identifying automatically similarities between procedures
and process areas. The essence can also be identified to efficiently
adopt multiple RMs. The organizations do not have to worry any
more about the redundancies between the adopted parts of RMs.
Finally, changes on existing RMs or new RMs can be integrated
in the MoSaIC Integration Model (Q23). This is done by creating