NATO Architecture Framework: Difference between revisions

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==NATO Architecture Framework==

The aim of the [[NATO]] Architecture Framework Version 4 (NAFv4)<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_157575.htm?selectedLocale=en| title = NATO - NATO Architecture Framework, Version 4}} </ref> is to provide a standard for developing and describing [[Enterprise Architecture|enterprise architectures]] for both military and business use. It provides a standardized way to develop architecture artefactsartifacts, by defining the following:

* '''Introduction''' – an overview of NAF, what it is and who uses it (Chapter 1)

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NAFv4 Chapter 2 provides a methodology which includes how to set up an architecting environment, govern, manage, define and evaluate architectures. The methodology has been developed from accepted best practice and standards, detailing the following:

* Terms and concepts for architectingarchitecture.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iso.org/iso/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=50508|title = Iso/Iec/IEEE 42010:2011}}</ref>

* A foundation for architecture activities<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iso.org/standard/68982.html|title=Iso/Iec/IEEE 42020:2019}}</ref>

* Architecture principles<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.springer.com/us/book/9783642202780|title = Architecture Principles &#124; SpringerLink}}</ref>

* Architecture activities at enterprise and project levels <ref name="togaf">{{Cite web|url=http://www.opengroup.org/architecture/togaf|title = TOGAF|date = 4 May 2018}}</ref>

* Architecture repositories and libraries enabling reuse and improved interoperability between communities, and to formalize architecture-based references.<ref name="togaf"/>

===Architecture Viewpoints (Grid representation)===

NAFv4 Chapter 3 defines architecture viewpoints which describe the content, concerns addressed, usage and representation.

NAFv4 Chapter 3 defines viewpoints (where you a looking from) allowing the description of architecture views (what you see). It details a two-dimensional classification scheme for the standardized architecture viewpoints, this serves as the baseline for any NAF-Compliant architecture effort. To aid architects, these viewpoints are organized into a logical and consistent manner and presented as a “grid”. This ‘grid’ structure, represents the various ‘subjects of concern’ (rows) and ‘aspects of concern’ (columns), as shown below:

NAF Architecture Viewpoints serve as the baseline for any NAF-Compliant architecture description effort.

NAFv4 Chapter 3 defines viewpoints (where you a looking from) allowing the description of architecture views (what you see). It details a two-dimensional classification scheme for the standardized architecture viewpoints, this serves as the baseline for any NAF-Compliant architecture effort. To aid architects, these viewpoints are organized into a logical and consistent manner and presented as a “grid” similar to that used for the [[Zachman Framework]]. This ‘grid’ structure, represents the various ‘subjects of concern’ (rows) and ‘aspects of concern’ (columns), as shown below:

The selection of Architecture Viewpoints must be tailored to the specificstakeholder architectureconcerns effort;associated i.ewith the architecture task. suitableSuitable Viewpoints need to be identified in the grid, should additional Viewpoints be required they must be defined.

A View is specified by aan Architecture Viewpoint, this prescribes the concepts, models, analysis techniques and visualizations that are provided by the View.

TheAn Architecture DescriptionViewpoint typically addresses a set of related concerns and is tailored for specific stakeholders. A NAF Architecture Viewpoint provides an example of a corresponding NAF Architecture View but does not have a mechanism to specify architecture view content.

* A View specifies what you see

* A Viewpoint is where you are looking from, focusing on particular subjects or stakeholder concerns

Note: the NAF version 4 (NAFv4) specifies how views of NAF version 3 (NAFv3) can be reused, i.e. each cell of the “grid” refers to the NAFv3 views and the NAFv4 methodology explains how forward and backward compatibility can be ensured.

==Adoption of Industryindustry Metameta-Modelsmodels==

Chapter 4 of the NATO Architecture Framework identifies the commercial meta-models which can be used to creation viewpoints described in chapter 3:

*[[The Open Group]]'s [[ArchiMate]], as specified in Version 3.1,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.opengroup.org/archimate/downloads|title = ArchiMate Licensed Downloads|date = 12 October 2018}}</ref> and supported by the [https://www.archimatetool.com/download/ Archi® free open source tool.]

* The [[Object Management Group]]'s [https://www.omg.org/spec/UAF/About-UAF/ Unified Architecture Framework (UAF)® Domain Meta-model (DMM)®], as specified in Version 1.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.omg.org/spec/UAF/Current|title = About the Unified Architecture Framework Specification Version 1.1}}</ref>

==Glossary, Referencesreferences and Bibliographybibliography==

Chapter 5 of the NATO Architecture Framework define major definitions and references in line with the major standards and reference documents used in Architecture activities.

===Web access to download NAFv4===

Official site to download the latest version of NAF is available ([https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_157575.htm?selectedLocale=en here]) or on the ([http://www.nato.int NATO Portal]).

An ArchiMate modeling guide for NAF v4, produced by the NATO Digital Policy Committee Architecture Capability Team is available [https://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/2025/2/pdf/2502-NAFv4-ArchiMate.pdf here].

Search for “Architecture Framework” and select the “NATO Architecture Framework, Version 4” entry.

===See also===

==References==

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[[Category:NATO]]

[[Category:Software architecture]]

[[Category:Management frameworks]]