Action Templates and Causalities in the ODP Computational Viewpoint

The RM-ODP is a reference model that provides a coordinating framework for Open Distributed Processing standards, and offers a well-defined and comprehensive set of concepts and functions for the specification of ODP systems. Some years after its release as International Standard, an ISO Study Group will evaluate the need for a revision of RM-ODP, a customary process for ISO standards. The goal is to make use of the experiences gained from the use of the RM-ODP framework during that period, in order to propose improvements or changes if required. In order to serve as an input to that Group, this paper raises two small issues that we have discovered when trying to formalize the ODP Computational Viewpoint: the need of an independent term for referring to the signature of an Action Template, and the way in which Causalities are currently defined and handled. A proposal for addressing these issues is presented for discussion.