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How to Successfully
Implement DoDAF2.0
- DoDAF2.0 Overview
The First in a Series of
Five Featured Whitepapers
Introduction
The DoDAF 2.0, released by the OSD-NII, DoD CIO in May of 2009 presents a
significant shift in the way in which DoD architectural descriptions are to be built,
analyzed and used. The guidance, descriptions, best practices and instructions
The purpose of this document
is to outline the four key
pillars towards a successful
implementation and utilization
of DoDAF 2.0.
presented in DoDAF 2.0 are based on sound principles –such as data-centric
architecture, architecture development that is “fit-for-purpose”, models as “templates
for collecting data”, and presentation views vs. architecture models to name a few.
However, there is a sentiment in the community that, although there is little argument
over the fundamentals of DoDAF 2.0, the implementation of DoDAF 2.0 in reality has
Four additional whitepapers
provide deeper insight into
how to get the most out of
these pillars:
been difficult and slow-going at best. Some point to the lack of tools on the market
that provide “true”, out-of-the-box support for DoDAF 2.0. Others point to the fact that
although the concepts in DoDAF 2.0 are sound in theory, they are difficult to implement
in practice without more tangible, “hands-on” guidance for how to carry out the
direction provided by DoDAF 2.0.
The purpose of this document is to introduce a DoDAF 2.0 implementation framework
that addresses four key areas critical to the successful implementation and effective
utilization of DoDAF 2.0. They are:
• Understanding and Leveraging the DM2
• Working with the DoDAF 2.0 Viewpoints and Models
• Developing “Fit-for-Purpose” Presentation Views
• Converting Data and Models from DoDAF 1.x to DoDAF 2.0
This is the first, in a series of whitepapers by Casewise, on how to successfully
implement DoDAF 2.0. The other whitepapers will focus on each of these four pillars in
greater detail and provide specific guidance in that particular area.
The pages ahead lay the groundwork for each of these four pillars and establish the key
concepts necessary for the successful implementation of DoDAF 2.0.
• DM2 Conformance
• DoDAF 2.0 Viewpoints &
Models
• Fit-For-Purpose Views
• DoDAF1.x Conversion to
DoDAF 2.0
Understanding and Leveraging
the DM2
The overarching theme of DoDAF 2.0 is “data-centricity” – in other words, taking a
data-centric approach to the development and analysis of architecture. The DoDAF 2.0
metamodel (DM2), which establishes the “constrained language” of the DoDAF and the
underlying structure of the data, plays a critical role in understanding and implementing
DoDAF 2.0. As we prepare to implement DoDAF 2.0 and, as such, the DM2, we need
to understand both the components of the DM2 (i.e., what their purpose is and how
they are intended to be used) and the DM2 data groups, in context (i.e., what they
represent, how they are intended to be used, etc.).
The DM2 whitepaper addresses the Conceptual and Logical data model and the
Physical Exchange Specification. It will also detail some of the key data groups (aka
subject areas) defined in the DM2.
DM2 Activity Data Group
implemented in Corporate
Modeler for DoDAF 2.0
(CMD2) by Casewise
In addition, the DM2 was built upon a foundational ontology model called the
International Defense Enterprise Architecture Specification (IDEAS). It is important to
understand what aspects of that foundation are meaningful to the “typical” DoDAF
architect, and what value it provides as we develop our architectural descriptions. We
often refer to the DM2 as “flexible, yet rigorous.” But what does this actually mean? It is
important to get a deep understanding of this in very real terms, which means reviewing
the use of inheritance throughout the DM2 logical data model and the looking at the
“tupletypes” defined in the IDEAS foundation.
The DM2 whitepaper covers these topics as well, providing key insights into how
to make the DM2 work for you and become a powerful “tool” for describing
architectural perspectives.
DoDAF 2.0 Viewpoints and Models
For years, people have associated the concept of architecture “views” or “products”
with DoDAF. Previous versions of DoDAF contained Operational Views, Systems Views,
Technical Views and All Views. These views were made up of “products” used to
describe various aspects of a given architectural description.
In DoDAF 2.0, the name “view” has been changed to “viewpoint”. More importantly,
there are new viewpoints, modified viewpoints and renamed viewpoints. Similarly,
“DoDAF products” are now referred to as models, defined as “templates for collecting
information”. Like the viewpoints, there are new models, modified models and
renamed models.
DoDAF 2.0 Viewpoints as implemented in CMD2
Probably the most common activity performed by DoDAF Architects is the development
of architecture models. As such, it is critically important for anyone implementing
DoDAF 2.0 to understand the new viewpoints and models, how they are intended
to be used, what data they are intended to collect and describe as well as how they
are interrelated. An important aspect of this is how they correlate to the objects and
associations in the DM2. Every object, line, relationship, etc. captured in a model should
be captured in the structure of the DM2.
Whitepaper three, in the five-part series, addresses the DoDAF 2.0 viewpoints and
models. It details what’s new in DoDAF 2.0 as well as what has changed. Additional
insights are shared into how the models correlate to the DM2 and how the flexibility
of the DM2 allows us to be more creative with the development of our models.
This whitepaper defines each of the model categories defined in the DoDAF 2.0
and introduces a concept called “DoDAF model patterns” – which can be used to
understand, interpret and extend the DoDAF model concept.
Fit-For-Purpose Presentation Views
Another foundational theme of DoDAF 2.0 is “Fit-for-Purpose”. Part of what this means
is that Architects are instructed to develop architectural descriptions that are “fit” for the
purpose of the architecture, or their customers’ or consumers’ purpose. In other words,
rather than blindly following the framework and building DoDAF models because the
framework says “thou shalt build an OV-4” (for example), architects should understand
the purpose and scope of any given architecture development effort and build only
those models necessary to capture the information required to support the purpose of
the architecture.
“Fit-for-Purpose” also refers to the views of information that are to be presented to the
information consumer (e.g., stakeholders, decision makers, etc.) based on the data in
the architecture repository. These “Presentation Views” have been categorized into five
types in the DoDAF 2.0 – Dashboards, Graphical Depictions, Reference Models, Fusion
Products, and Hybrid Products. Furthermore, DoDAF 2.0 makes a distinction between
“models” and “views”. However, the distinction doesn’t always seem to be clear in the
DoDAF documentation and is worthy of interpretation.
Our fourth whitepaper of the five-part series on DoDAF 2.0 dives deeper into this notion
of “Fit-for-Purpose”. It addresses what this means to the front-end of the architecture
development lifecycle, in terms of building the necessary viewpoints and models, as well
as to the back-end, which focuses more on the creation or generation of presentation
views in accordance with stakeholders needs and requirements.
Fit-for-Purpose example of a capability viewpoint model (CV-4)
Conversion from DoDAF 1.x
to DoDAF 2.0
iew
es V
al S
nic
previous versions of DoDAF – be it DoDAF 1.0 or 1.5. More
Core Architecture Data Model
rds
ms
framework is the ability to transition to DoDAF 2.0 from
Sy
st e
/Se
da
tan
rvic
ch
Te
The final “pillar” in the DoDAF 2.0 implementation
Vie
w
Operational View
All View
specifically it’s about the ability to convert the data captured
in DoDAF 1.x to DoDAF 2.0, and subsequently the DM2. This
conversation requires both a conceptual discussion as well
as a mechanical discussion.
OV-3
SV-6
CMD2
The conceptual discussion addresses the conversion of
some of the core DoDAF 1.x objects that have either been
changed, consolidated, distributed or eliminated in the DM2.
This list includes, but is not limited to, Node (both operational
and system), Operational Activities and Systems Functions,
Information Exchanges and System
Data Exchanges and Services. In each case, there are some
unique nuances in the conversion from DoDAF 1.x and
DoDAF 2.0 Diagrams
DoDAF 2.0. These are addressed in the final whitepaper in
the five-part series on DoDAF 2.0. In addition, this whitepaper touches on the mechanics
of how the Casewise solution, Corporate Modeler for DoDAF 2.0 (CMD2), supports and
automates the conversion from DoDAF 1.x to DoDAF 2.0, regardless of what tool you are
using for your legacy DoDAF architectures.
Summary
In summary, DoDAF 2.0 is an architecture development framework built on a foundation
of principles – metamodel rigor, flexibility, data-centricity and “Fit-for-Purpose”. It has
been signed into law and is mandated for the future development of DoD architectural
descriptions.
Casewise is committed to those entities working towards successfully implementing
DoDAF 2.0. We have gone to great length to bring a full-functioning, true DoDAF 2.0
architecture development and analysis tool to the market. The next step is to provide
the Community with best practices and guidance on how to implement DoDAF 2.0 and
maximize the benefits of this framework. We believe our five-part whitepaper series will
begin to do that.
We hope you enjoy the whitepaper series and we look forward to hearing your thoughts!
About Casewise
Established in 1989, Casewise provides software and consulting solutions to over 3,000
major global organizations for Business & Enterprise Architecture, Business Process Analysis
& Improvement, Business Process Management as well as Governance, Risk & Compliance
purposes.
In addition, Casewise’s dedicated North American Government Division focuses on the specific
needs of Defense & Civilian Agencies, State & Local Government and Systems Integrators.
Casewise solutions enable organizations to visualize, audit, report, improve and continually
maximize complex operating processes and technology infrastructures.
With a team of passionate experts, and with offices in the United States, United Kingdom,
France, Belgium and Germany – and a network of global resellers – Casewise provides thought
leadership and solutions enabling clients to achieve stronger strategic planning, better decision
making and improved business efficiencies.
About The Author
Chris White, VP of Architecture Strategy and Implementation for
Casewise, is a recognized expert and thought leader in the field of
enterprise architecture. He has over 20 years of technical sales,
implementation and consulting experience, working extensively
with Federal Government clients including DoD and Civilian
Agencies, as well as Fortune 500 companies. He is a regular
speaker in the Federal EA community and highly sought after as a
consultant and advisor on EA planning, implementation,
and utilization.
US - Government Division USA
USA
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