DoD Architecture Framework (DoDAF)
The DoD Architecture Framework (DoDAF) provides the structure for organizing architecture concepts, principles, assumptions, and terminology about operations and solutions into meaningful patterns to satisfy specific DoD purposes. It enables the sharing and reuse of architectural data.
The DoD Architecture Framework (DoDAF) Version 2.02 facilitates the ability of Department of Defense (DoD) managers at all levels to make key decisions more effectively through organized information sharing across the department, Joint Capability Areas (JCAs), mission, component, and program boundaries The Framework contains 8 viewpoints (comparable to DoDAF V1.5 “views”), and 52 models (comparable to DoDAF V1.5 “products”). DoDAF provides a standard framework for developing architectural views and capturing and presenting architectural data that supports systems engineering and the sharing of technical information among stakeholders across systems of systems and the DoD Enterprise.
The key terms of DoDAF Version 2.02 are:
Model DoDAF-described Model:
- Serve as a template for organizing and displaying data
- Easily understood format
- Can be documents, spreadsheets, dashboards, or other graphical representations
View: Data collected and presented as a "filled-in" model
Viewpoint: Organized collection of views
Architecture Description: All Viewpoints together
DoDAF Meta Model (DM2): Provides information needed to collect, organize, and store data in a way easily understood. DM2 is organized into three levels:
- Conceptual Data Model
- Logical Data Model
- Physical Exchange Specification
Physical Exchange Schema (PES): Logical Data Model generated as an XML Schema Description
Fit-for-Purpose: User-defined views (subset of architectural data) created for a specific purpose.
DoDAF Conformance
DoD Components are expected to conform to DoDAF to the maximum extent possible in development of architectures within the Department. Conformance ensures that reuse of information, architecture artifacts, models, and viewpoints can be shared with common understanding. Conformance is expected in both the classified and unclassified communities, and further guidance will be forthcoming on specific processes and procedures for the classified architecture development efforts in the Department.
DoDAF conformance is achieved when:
- The data in a described architecture is defined according to the DM2 concepts, associations, and attributes.
- The architectural data is capable of transfer in accordance with the PES.
Current Version of DoDAF:
http://dodcio.defense.gov/Portals/0/Documents/DODAF/DoDAF_v2-02_web.pdf