A Reference Model is a process content that other processes can be mapped against via the Stages compliance mapping capability.

Examples for reference models are CMMI, Automotive SPICE, or ISO standards. Reference models can be either imported as content packages created by Method Park or created directly by customers.

Typically a process has to comply only with a specific section of a reference model. For example, a project management process only needs to comply with the Project Planning, Project Monitoring & Control, and Integrated Project Management process areas of the CMMI-DEV standard. Therefore the reference models are normally broken down into Scopes, which contain a subset of all reference model requirements. Per convention, each reference model has a Default Scope, which contains all reference model required that are typically mapped to.