In computer science, an ontology is a formal explicit specification of a shared conceptualization for a domain of interest [1, 2]. Building an ontology may be as complex task as software development.

Many methodologies and good practices emerged from experiences of researchers and practitioners to facilitate this process. Here are the best of them:

• Methodology for SWS Ontologies (DIP)
• e-Government Onthology (DIP)
  
• Ontology 101
• Ontology Engineering [ppt]
  
• Ontology-based Business Process Management
• Translating a Typical Business Process Modelling Language to a Web Services Ontology through Lightweight Mapping

[1] Steffen Staab, Rudi Studer (Eds.): Handbook on Ontologies. International Handbooks on Information Systems Springer 2004, ISBN 3-540-40834-7
[2] Tom Gruber. A translation approach to portable ontology specifications. Knowl. Acquis., Vol. 5, No. 2. (June 1993), pp. 199-220.