MODAF
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The UK Ministry of Defence Architectural Framework (MODAF) defines a standardised way of modelling an enterprise. The purpose of MODAF is to ensure a consistent approach when developing enterprise architectures. There is a website serving the MODAF community at http://www.modaf.com, acting as the publication hub for the MODAF documentation and providing a forum for user and vendor feedback on MODAF.
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[edit] Scope
MODAF defines architectural views covering the strategic goals of the enterprise, and the people, processes and systems that deliver those goals. It also includes capability management (Lines of Development / DOTMLPF) and programmatic aspects such as project dependencies.
[edit] Methodology & Models
There is no methodology associated with MODAF. Recommended practice is specified for five Communities of Interest (CoI) in the MODAF CoI Deskbooks. Neither does MODAF specify a modelling technique. For example, OV-5 products (activity models) could be represented as IDEF0, BPMN, UML Activity Diagrams, or any other commonly used process modelling syntax.
The key aspect of MODAF is that it encourages a data-driven approach to architecture. The specification is underpinned by the MODAF Meta-Model (M3) - see http://www.modaf.com/m3. The M3 defines types of architectural elements and the relationships between them - e.g. organizations, operational nodes, systems, capabilities, etc. MODAF-compliant architectures are contiguous, coherent models of the enterprise which conform to the M3. The MODAF views are a set of standard specifications for presenting those architectures to different communities of interest.
[edit] Policy
As yet there is no policy within MOD on mandating MODAF. However, it should be used in all cases in the MOD where architectures are being developed - i.e. if you are producing architectures, they should conform to MODAF. Any future policy on mandation is likely to be by Community of Interest (CoI), as specified in the MODAF Deskbooks.
[edit] Terminology
In developing MODAF, the MODAF Partners team established a set of terminology:
An "architectural framework" or "architecture framework" is a specification for the production of an "architectural description". An architectural framework consists of a set of "views". MODAF is an architectural framework.
An "architectural description" is a contiguous, coherent model of an enterprise. An architectural description is comprised of "architectural products". MODAF is not and architectural description.
A "view" is a specification of how to present an aspect of an enterprise. A MODAF view specifies the type of content of a "product", but does not specify the modelling technique to be used.
An "architectural product" is a model of some aspect of the enterprise. An architectural product conforms to a "view"
A "viewpoint" is a collection of "views", which together provide a perspective of the enterprise - e.g. the operational perspective, the systems perspective, etc.
[edit] Views
A MODAF model is organised into six viewpoints:
[edit] Operational Viewpoint (OV)
The Operational Viewpoint (OV) covers the business or process level.
- OV-1a -- High Level Operational Concept Graphic
- OV-1b -- High Level Operational Concept Description
- OV-1c -- Operational Performance
- OV-2 -- Operational Node Connectivity Diagram
- OV-3 -- Operational Information Exchange Matrix
- OV-4 -- Organisational Relationships Chart
- OV-5 -- Operational Activity Model
- OV-6a -- Operational Rules Model
- OV-6b -- Operational State Transition Diagram
- OV-6c -- Operational Event Trace Description
- OV-7 -- Logical Data Model
[edit] System Viewpoint (SV)
The System Viewpoint (SV) documents the set of systems that support the processes.
- SV-1 -- System Interface Description
- SV-2a -- System Port Specification
- SV-2b -- System To System Port Connectivity
- SV-2c -- System Connectivity Clusters
- SV-3 -- Systems-Systems Matrix
- SV-4 -- Systems Functionality Description
- SV-5 -- Activity to Systems Function Map
- SV-6 -- Systems Data Exchange Matrix
- SV-7 -- Systems Performance Parameters Matrix
- SV-8 -- Systems Evolution Description
- SV-9 -- Systems Technology Forecast
- SV-10a -- System Rules Model
- SV-10b -- Systems State Transition Description
- SV-10c -- Systems Event-Trace Description
- SV-11 -- Physical Schema
[edit] Strategic Viewpoint (StV)
The Strategic Viewpoint (StV) is a high level view all about the capabilities provided by the system.
- StV-1 -- Capability Vision
- StV-2 -- Capability Taxonomy
- StV-3 -- Capability Phasing
- StV-4 -- Capability Dependencies
- StV-5 -- Capability to Systems Map
- StV-6 -- Capability to Activity Map
[edit] Technical Viewpoint (TV)
The Technical Viewpoint (TV) indicates the standards followed.
- TV-1 -- Technical Standards Profile
- TV-2 -- Technical Standards Forecast
[edit] All Viewpoint (AV)
The All Viewpoint (AV) giving an executive summary.
- AV-1 -- Overview and Summary Information
- AV-2 -- Integrated Dictionary
[edit] Acquisition Viewpoint (AcV)
The Acquistion Viewpoint (AcV) covers purchasing related issues. The unit here is what is purchased - one purchase can give many capabilities or one capability can require many purchases.
- AcV-1 -- Acquisition Clusters
- AcV-2 -- Systems of Systems (SoS) Acquisition Programmes
[edit] Origins
MODAF is based on the US Department of Defense Architectural Framework (DoDAF), extending it by two additional viewpoints - strategic and acquisition. The MODAF CoI deskbooks provide lists of views that individual communities would be particularly interested in.
[edit] Representation of Views
MODAF does not mandate a particular notation for its views, however it does specify XMI 2.1 (for UML 2.0) as its standard for data exchange.
[edit] Harmonization Between National Architecture Frameworks
There is an OMG effort to standardise a UML Profile for military architecture frameworks UPDM (UML Profile for DoDAF and MODAF). In addition, the IDEAS Group is a four nation (Australia, Canada, UK, USA + NATO as observers) effort to standardise a conceptual model for military architecture frameworks.
