Passive domains must not initiate cross domain relationships
Applies to: Cross domain relationship definition and visualisation
Definition:
Cross domain relationships must be modelled with active domains as the source and passive domains as the target. Passive domains must not initiate outbound relationships.
Passive domains include:
Information
Policy
Performance
Product
Service
Correct examples:
Strategy → Capability
Capability → Service
Initiative → Performance
Stakeholder → Policy
Incorrect examples:
Information → Capability : informs ❌
Performance → Initiative : measured by ❌
Policy → Stakeholder : constrains ❌
Implementation guidance:
In diagrams, passive domains only appear as targets.
In JSON or RDF representations, relationships originate from active domains.
Verbs such as informs, measures, or describes are used only in documentation, not as relationship types sourced from passive domains.
Rationale:
This ensures semantic clarity, avoids visual clutter, and supports reasoning engines that depend on clear relationship directionality.