Overview
EN ISO 19105:2022 - Geographic information: Conformance and testing (ISO 19105:2022) defines a standardized framework, concepts and methodology for conformance testing of geographic information standards. This second-edition (2022) document replaces the 2005 edition and provides guidance for specifying abstract test suites (ATS), grouping abstract test cases into conformance classes, and defining procedures for executing tests and reporting results. Conformance can be claimed for data, software, services, or specifications (including profiles and functional standards). The standard emphasizes a modular approach and supports dependency management between conformance classes to aid configuration management and interoperability.
Key topics and requirements
- Framework for conformance testing: methodology to define what it means to conform to geographic information standards.
- Abstract test suite (ATS): structure for composing tests from abstract test cases; ATS maps tests to normative requirements.
- Conformance classes and clauses: grouping of test cases into classes that represent partial satisfaction of a specification.
- Modular specification and dependency management: relationships between modules and conformance classes support systematic configuration control.
- Executable test suite & reporting: guidance for deriving executable tests and producing conformance test reports and overall result synthesis.
- Supporting artefacts: annexes include sample templates, UML model examples, URI structure, and conformance test report examples to aid implementation.
- Scope limits: explicitly excludes robustness, acceptance and performance testing - focuses on normative requirement verification.
- Other features: alignment with OGC concepts, reference to test case definitions (e.g., ISO/IEC/IEEE 24765), and support for three-valued logic in overall result evaluation.
Practical applications and users
Who uses ISO 19105:
- GIS software developers and vendors seeking to claim conformance to geospatial standards.
- Data providers and service operators validating interoperability and data quality.
- Test laboratories and certification bodies creating or running conformance test suites.
- Standards authors and profile developers defining conformance clauses and test cases.
- QA and configuration managers needing systematic dependency management across modular specifications.
Practical uses:
- Designing abstract and executable test suites for standard compliance.
- Preparing authoritative conformance test reports for product certification or procurement compliance.
- Managing modular specifications and conformance dependencies in product lines or geospatial services.
- Ensuring interoperability across systems that consume or exchange geographic information.
Related standards
- ISO/TC 211 family of geographic information standards (context for ISO 19105).
- References and influences: OGC modular specification concepts; ISO/IEC/IEEE 24765 (test case terminology).
