Reusability of information models has been discussed in science and practice for many years. Reference models are information models that are developed with the aim of being reused for different but similar application scenarios. They primarily promise time and cost savings, since parts of the reference models can be reused. The topic of reference modeling is addressed in this book from different perspectives:
Besides reference modeling languages that provide special modeling language concepts for the development and application of reference models, reference modeling methodologies are discussed, which additionally provide procedure models for the construction and application of reference models. Moreover, particular reference models are discussed and evaluated.