SBVR11 — "Objectification" Needs to Be Renamed

"Objectification" is currently defined in Clause 9.2.7 to be a logical formulation. This usage of the term is counterintuitive for several reasons. (1) Logical formulations are a way of structuring meaning particular to SBVR. (2) Objectification can be used to mean the 'process' of objectifying, rather than the result of objectifying, as usually preferred in SBVR.

Resolution:

1. Change each instance of "objectification" in Clause 9.2.7 to "objectifying formulae".

2. Inspect every other instance of "objectification" in SBVR to determine whether it refers to "an objectifying formulae" or to the process of objectification ("objectifying"), and adjust accordingly.

3. Add concepts, definitions, and terms for the three kinds of results from the process of objectification, and if appropriate, a more general concept for the three (probably called objectification).

Note: At least one of these three kinds of objectification, the one pertaining to open variables, should be included Clause 11.1.5. Probably all three should be. "Objectification" (meaning the result of objectifying) is clearly an 'element of structure' in the sense of 'characterization', 'categorization', etc. (albeit more complex).

As per the Issue Summary, the SBVR specification conflates two meanings into one under the signifier “objectification.” This resolution removes the ambiguity and de-conflates the two meanings by adding entries for the second meaning to Clause 11 and making minor adjustments to the related material in the two Annexes. Also, editorial corrections are made to clarify uses of the term ‘objectification’. The changes in the resolution of this Issue are limited to those involving the word “objectification’. Other changes related to “fact type’ and “verb concept’ will be dealt with in another Issue.