DoD Architecture Framework Version 1.5 - Chief Information Officer

associated reference models, and categorizing and organizing component architectures, thereby
facilitating semantic understanding across the various architectures.
The federation of architectures is also facilitated by an environment that enables information
sharing. The following support an architecture sharing environment:
• A sound governance structure
• Enterprise architecture services
• The DARS
A sound governance structure applies accountability to the development and maintenance of
architecture toward set objectives, facilitating the ability to federate. It places responsibility
around processes such as configuration management and quality assurance. Enterprise
architecture services allow for the visibility, accessibility, and understandability of architecture
information in a consistent and efficient manner. DARS provides for registration and linking of
architecture metadata to enable the creation of a navigable and searchable federated enterprise
architecture (https://dars1.army.mil/IER/index.jsp). It enforces the policies and governance that
surround the usage of architecture, thus reinforcing robust interfaces and data relationships.
Sharing architecture and using information and services that exist improve the agility of
architecture development, a quality necessary in the NCE.
2.4.4 Development Considerations for Net-Centric Architectures
As the Department migrates towards net-centricity, it becomes essential to represent netcentric
constructs within the architecture so as to capture the flow of information for the benefit
of those who need it. The following aid in the development of net-centric architectures:
• Usage of the DoDAF net-centric guidance, which includes use of common data
element definitions, semantics, and data structure for all architecture
description entities or objects
• Compliance with the currently approved version of the Net-Centric Operations
and Warfare Reference Model (NCOW RM). 13
Volume II of DoDAF v1.5 contains net-centric guidance for each product. Usage of this
guidance promotes the consistent and clear representation of net-centric concepts within an
architecture. The following concepts are captured in Volume II of this version of the DoDAF:
• Populate the NCE.
• Utilize the NCE.
• Support the unanticipated user.
• Leverage COIs to promote jointness.
• Support shared infrastructure.
The NCOW RM brings together the key activities and definitions from various Departmentlevel
net-centric strategies and guidance into an integrated document set. The NCOW RM
provides a comprehensive depiction of activities required for NCO and assists capability and
organizational architects in understanding critical relationships between net-centric activities and
13 Net-Centric Operations and Warfare Reference Model (NCOW RM), v1.1, 17 November 2005
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