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CARE-IT Framework – Version 1.2.0

Official Release​

The official publication of this version is provided via GitHub:

🔗 Release page:
https://github.com/careitmodel/careit/releases/tag/v1.2.0

📄 PDF version (v1.2.0):
https://github.com/careitmodel/careit/releases/download/v1.2.0/CARE-IT-v1.2.0-en.pdf

The GitHub release tag constitutes the historically fixed reference version.

Changes to the framework occur exclusively through versioned releases.

The English version is the authoritative source of truth.

Scope of Version 1.2.0​

Version 1.2.0 includes:

  • The eight CARE-IT Foundational Principles (P1–P8)
  • The six architectural domains (D1–D6)
  • The dual-perspective maturity model (principles + domains)
  • The indicator-based maturity logic without numerical aggregation
  • The consolidated artifact architecture
  • The structural separation of Adoption Governance and Framework Governance
  • The formalized Framework Governance model
  • The refined Controlled Open contribution logic
  • The updated versioning and translation governance model
  • The end-to-end application example
  • The complete glossary and reference structure

This version represents the currently valid reference edition of the CARE-IT framework.

Character of Version 1.2.0​

Version 1.2.0 is:

  • Architecturally consolidated
  • Governance-complete
  • Terminologically harmonized
  • Structurally stabilized
  • Internationalized (English master version)
  • Published under a Controlled Open philosophy

It establishes CARE-IT as a governed reference architecture
for digital clinical infrastructure.

Changes Compared to Version 1.1.1​

Version 1.2.0 is a minor release under semantic versioning and includes:

  • Introduction of a formal Framework Governance model
  • Clear separation between Framework Governance and Adoption Governance
  • Formal definition of English as the authoritative source language
  • Structured translation governance logic
  • Refined contribution philosophy (Controlled Open model)
  • Harmonization of terminology across principles, domains, and artifacts
  • Architectural clarification of innovation from an operator perspective
  • Structural reorganization of navigation and governance layers

No foundational principles were modified.

The normative architecture remains stable.

Versioning Logic​

CARE-IT follows semantic versioning:

  • Major – Structural redefinition or conceptual paradigm shift
  • Minor – Architectural extension, governance consolidation, or structural refinement
  • Patch – Editorial, formatting, or clarification updates without normative impact

Version governance is defined in the Framework Governance section.

Citation​

CARE-IT is permanently archived via Zenodo.

Concept DOI (all versions):
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18679683

The Concept DOI always resolves to the most recent officially published version of CARE-IT.

Each officially released version additionally receives a version-specific DOI, which resolves to the exact archived snapshot corresponding to that release.

The version-specific DOI for Version 1.2.0 is provided on:

  • The official GitHub release page
  • The title page of the corresponding PDF release
  • The Zenodo version record

The GitHub release tag constitutes the authoritative reference state of the framework.
The Zenodo archive ensures long-term preservation and citability.

For academic citation, the following format is recommended:

CARE-IT Framework. Version 1.2.0.
Controlled Open Release.
DOI: [version-specific DOI]

If the version-specific DOI is not explicitly required, the Concept DOI may be used for general reference.

Status​

Version 1.2.0 represents a governance-stable baseline for structured application and academic reference.

Further evolution will follow the controlled semantic versioning model.