What is an enterprise architecture framework?
An enterprise architecture framework, or architecture framework for short, is a prefabricated structure that you can use to organize your enterprise architecture into complementary views.
What is an architecture framework view?
A view is a projection of the enterprise architecture model that is meaningful to one or more system stakeholders. For example, an Analysis view might be meaningful to business analysts and systems analysts, but less meaningful to system implementers and testers.
What is the relationship between an architecture framework and an architecture description language?
The former specifies the latter. For example, UML or SysML might be used as an architecture description language to specify a DoDAF or TOGAF compliant architecture.
What is the difference between an application framework and an architecture framework?
The framework term is overloaded in software and systems engineering, so you generally need to infer from context what sort of framework is being discussed. In order to differentiate among the variations of frameworks, it may help to first understand that a framework is a generic term that refers to a prefabricated structure or architecture, and it is used in a wide range of domains, ranging from the building and manufacturing to aerospace/defense and communications.
The term application framework tends to be software-centric, and commonly refers to a software design or implementation that prefabricate the functionality and APIs (Application Program Interfaces) of an application. The term architecture framework is less software-centric, and typically refers to a specification or model of an enterprise or system architecture.
Are there any architecture framework standards?
Architecture frameworks standards are rapidly evolving. Among defense industry frameworks, DoDAF and MODAD are widely used, and UPDM is emerging. Among commericial frameworks, the Zachman Framework and TOGAF appear to be the most popular.
What are the similarities and differences among DoDAF, MODAF, and UPDM?
DoDAF is a U.S. defense industry framework standard that was reused and extended by the UK defense industry and rebranded as MODAF. These frameworks are far more similar than different, so the UPDM (Unified Profile for DoDAF and MODAF) proposal effort is underway to unify them using UML as a common architecture description language.
As for the differences among these three standards, they are summarized in the individual entries for each standard, so we will not repeat them here.
When will the UPDM standard be finalized?
Although the Object Management Group adopted UPDM 1.0 Beta 1 in 2007, its UPDM Finalization Task Force failed to produce a final specification acceptable to OMG members and key government stakeholders by its March 2008 deadline. Consequently, a UPDM Group, independent of the OMG, has been formed to produce an improved version of the UPDM specification that is acceptable to all stakeholders.
How do I submit questions to this FAQ?
Please email FAQ@architectureframework.com if you have a question that you would like answered on this FAQ.
