NATO Architecture Framework (NAF): Here's What You Need to Know

?The?NATO?Architecture Framework (NAF) Version 4 provides guidance on describing both?enterprise architectures?and?systems architectures.

NAF is for both business and military use, and provides a standardized way to develop architecture artefacts. It does this by defining elements, such as:

• Introduction?– An overview of NAF, what it is and who uses it
• Methodology?– How to develop architectures and run an architecture project
• Viewpoints?– Conventions for the construction, interpretation and use of architecture views for communicating the enterprise architecture to different stakeholders
• Meta-Models?– The application of commercial meta-models identified as compliant with NATO policy
• Glossary, References and Bibliography?

Issued by the Architecture Capability Team (ACaT) of the?NATO Consultation, Command and Control Board?(C3B) in January 2018, NAFv4 provides guidance on describing both?enterprise architectures?and?systems architectures.

System architecture focuses on a particular system and it may be a small portion of the entire enterprise. An enterprise architecture focuses on a big enterprise system where in multiple systems are developed to address the need of the enterprise.

The objectives of NAF are considerable, such as providing a way to organize and present architectures to stakeholders and specifying the guidance, rules, and product descriptions for developing and presenting architecture information.

Other NAF objectives include ensuring a common approach for understanding, comparing, and integrating architectures, as well as acting as a key enabler for acquiring and fielding cost-effective and interoperable capabilities.

The NAF standard also makes sure practices align with architecture references produced by international standard bodies such as:

• International Organization for Standardization
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• The Open Group
• Object Management Group?

Want to learn more? Tonex offers NAF Training, a 2-day course that provides guidance on describing communication and information systems (or C3 systems) through architectures and provides the rules, guidance, and templates for developing and presenting architecture descriptions to ensure a common denominator for understanding, comparing, and integrating architectures in NATO.

NAF training provides the attendees with details of NATO Architecture Framework and its applications using real world scenarios and case studies. A detailed Transition Guidance from NAF v3 to NAF v4 and concepts behind Unified Architecture Framework (UAF) is provided.

Additionally, this course provides a rigorous method for understanding, analyzing, and specifying: Capabilities, Systems, Systems of Systems (SoS), Organizational Structures, Business Processes and more.

For more information, questions, comments, contact us.

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