Architecting with the DOD Architecture Framework Training (DODAF)

Today’s systems do not stand alone; each system fits within an increasingly complex system-of-systems, a network of interconnection that virtually guarantees surprise behavior. Systems science recognizes this type of interconnectivity as one essence of complexity. It requires new tools, new methods, and new paradigms for effective system design. The DOD Architecture Framework (DODAF) provides an underlying structure to work with complexity.

This two-day Architecting with the DOD Architecture Framework Training (DODAF) course provides knowledge and exercises at a practical level in the use of the DODAF. You will learn about architecting processes, methods, and thought patterns. You will practice architecting by creating DODAF representations of a familiar, complex system of systems. By the end of this course, you will be able to use DODAF effectively in your work.

The challenges today are changing, because technological advances are leading to more complex and interconnected systems of systems. Operational users demand more capability, connectivity, and operational reliability than ever before. They demand connectivity so that systems can provide and respond to varied information from other systems.

Yet these same demands create a system-of-systems complexity that has never before existed. With more systems interconnected, and with each system offering greater artificial intelligence over a greater number of functions, the resulting network of systems inherently has emergent behavior that often surprises the designers. Emergent behavior is a natural result of complexity because it is functioning on a system-of-systems level that may or may not have been designed. When appropriate, such emergent behavior is a powerful force multiplier. When inappropriate, however, emergent behavior often appears as “bugs” or “faults” in the higher-order system that can be nearly impossible to find and fix.

• Introduction to DoDAF Training

1. Architectures and Architecting – Understanding of the components of an architecture. Origin of the terms within systems development. Understanding of the components of an architecture. Architecting key activities. Foundations of modern architecting.
2. DODAF Overview – Methods to convey architectures. Overview of different architecture frameworks (TOGAF, FEAF, Zachman, etc.) Why frameworks exist, and what they hope to provide. DOD Architecture Framework (DODAF) basic concepts: Service-Oriented Architectures (SOA) and the DoDAF Meta-Model (DM2). Hierarchies of architectures. Viewpoints within DoDAF (All, Capability, Data/Information, Operational, Project, Services, Standards, Systems). How Viewpoints support models. Diagram types (views) within each viewpoint. DoDAF architecting methods.
3. DODAF Operational Viewpoint – Describing an operational environment, and then modifying it to incorporate new capabilities. Sequences of creation. How to convert concepts into DODAF views. Introduction and practical exercises on each DODAF OV product, with review and critique. The teaching method includes three passes for each product: (a) describing the views, (b) instructor-led exercise, and (c) group work to create views.
4. DODAF Services and Systems Viewpoints – Converting the operational views into service-oriented technical architecture, while matching the new architecture with legacy systems. Sequences of creation. Linkages between the technical views and the operational views. Introduction and practical exercises on each DODAF SvcV and SV product, with review and critique, again using the three-pass method.
5. DODAF Migration Definition Processes – How to depict the migration of current systems into future systems while maintaining operability at each step. Practical exercises on migration planning using related CV, SvcV, SV, and OV products.
6. DoDAF Capability, Project, Data, and Information Viewpoints – Definition of the largest systems-of-systems through examination of top-level capabilities. Definition of project plans and how they support migration of the architecture. The underlying data and information products of the DM2. Introduction and practical exercises on each DoDAF CV, PV, and DIV product

Architecting with the DOD Architecture Framework Training (DODAF)  Course Wrap-Up