A Framework for Ontology Life Cycle Management

This paper describes a method and automation approach for ontology life cycle management. First, the challenges associated with knowledge creation are summarized. The problems associated with ontology capture, analysis, and maintenance are used to motivate the need for ontology life cycle management. Then a semi-automated method for ontology life cycle management is described. The method is comprised of multiple, inter-related activities including ontology extraction and learning, ontology refinement, ontology analysis, ontology harmonization and integration, and ontology validation and deployment. Next, a layered approach for semi-automated ontology extraction and learning is described. The ontology extraction is performed using a combination of statistical methods and rule based methods. Finally, the paper summarizes the status of current research and suggests directions for future research.