This paper outlines a structured ontological approach to defining and systematizing numerous product traceability terminologies in novel token-based and traditional enterprise systems (ES). It will aid researchers and manufacturers in regulated industries in defining syntactical and semantic standards for objects and events in the traceability domain. In this paper, a design science research method supports the development of a backward-forward-enterprise ontology (BFEO) artifact that helps to design and manage the complexity of multi-organization enterprise networks. This paper compares and evaluates this ontological artifact against several ontologies, offering further development opportunities. Finally, traceability professionals and various developer communities can adopt and further develop the ontology using simple development tools
