A Process for Driving the Harmonization of Models

At present, there are several factors that may influence an organization in needing to work with more than one reference model. The following can be highlighted: (i) market niches with specific models, (ii) improvement of practices from legacy process models, (iii) business positioning, (iv) leveraged or merger corporate (v) systematic search of the capability of the processes, (vi) business growth, among others. Currently, however, there is no detailed strategy to address the harmonization of reference models. So, the aim of this paper is to present a process that defines the elements necessary to support the harmonization of multiple reference models. This process allows us to guide the implementation of a harmonization project systematically. It also describes our experience of the application of the proposed process in one organization. These results show that the process and the harmonization techniques used to support the objectives of harmonization of ISO 27001 and ISO 20000 of the company involved were suitable.