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Guide for System Engineers: Creating Diagrams to Support NATO Architecture Framework Version 4 (NAF v4) Concept Views

1. Introduction

The NATO Architecture Framework Version 4 (NAF v4) is a powerful tool designed to document and communicate system architectures within NATO and allied defense organizations. A key feature of NAF v4 is the Conceptual Views (or Concept Views), which provide high-level abstractions of operational concepts, capability needs, and their relationships. These views allow system engineers to communicate the overarching vision of an architecture before delving into more detailed operational, technical, or system views.

This guide will help system engineers create diagrams for Concept Views using the ArchiMate modeling language. ArchiMate offers an intuitive and flexible way to visually represent architecture, making it easier to capture and communicate the high-level conceptual aspects that are central to the NAF v4 Concept Views.

2. Overview of NAF v4 Concept Views

NAF v4 divides the Conceptual Layer into several key viewpoints, each focused on different aspects of the architecture’s high-level understanding. These viewpoints provide a framework to describe the architecture’s strategic direction, conceptual operations, and high-level capabilities. The primary concept views in NAF v4 include:

  1. Capability View (CV): Focuses on the capabilities required to fulfill strategic objectives.
  2. Service View (SvcV): Describes services and their relationships to capabilities and stakeholders.
  3. Operational Concept View (OV): Defines operational concepts, missions, tasks, and roles.
  4. Strategic Concept View (StV): Provides a high-level view of strategic goals and how they relate to capabilities and other drivers.

These views form the conceptual backbone of the architecture, providing stakeholders with the “big picture” before more detailed, system-specific viewpoints are developed.

3. Mapping ArchiMate to NAF v4 Concept Views

ArchiMate is well-suited to model NAF v4 Concept Views. Below is a mapping between NAF v4 Concept Views and ArchiMate elements:

NAF v4 Concept View Corresponding ArchiMate Layers/Elements Description
Capability View (CV) Motivation Layer (Capability, Goal, Outcome) Models the high-level capabilities that fulfill strategic goals.
Service View (SvcV) Application & Technology Layers (Service, Interface, Contract) Describes services and their relationships with capabilities and stakeholders.
Operational Concept View (OV) Business Layer (Role, Process, Interaction) Represents operational processes, roles, and the relationships between them in fulfilling missions.
Strategic Concept View (StV) Motivation Layer (Driver, Goal, Capability, Outcome) Provides a high-level strategic view, capturing the mission, goals, and the capabilities they enable.

This mapping allows system engineers to use ArchiMate to represent high-level, conceptual architectures that align with NAF v4’s viewpoints.

4. Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Diagrams for NAF v4 Concept Views

4.1 Capability View (CV) – High-Level Capabilities

The Capability View (CV) represents the high-level capabilities that an organization needs to meet its strategic goals. These capabilities are often abstract, focusing on “what” is needed rather than “how” it is implemented.

Steps:

  1. Identify Strategic Drivers: Use the Driver element to represent external or internal forces influencing the architecture, such as geopolitical factors or mission requirements.
    • Example: “NATO Strategic Objectives” or “Military Threats.”
  2. Define Capabilities: Use the Capability element to capture the high-level capabilities required to achieve the goals set by the strategic drivers.
    • Example: “Enhanced Battlefield Communication” or “Cyber Defense Capabilities.”
  3. Link Capabilities to Strategic Goals: Use the Goal and Outcome elements to show how capabilities contribute to achieving NATO’s strategic objectives.
    • Example: “Reliable Communications” as a capability that supports the goal of “Mission Effectiveness.”
  4. Model Capability Dependencies: Use the Association or Flow relationships to illustrate how capabilities depend on or support one another.
    • Example: Show how “Logistics Support” capability is essential for “Deployment Readiness.”

Example Diagram:

A capability view showing NATO’s strategic drivers, high-level capabilities, and the relationships between them.

4.2 Service View (SvcV) – Services and Stakeholders

The Service View (SvcV) focuses on the services that support the capabilities outlined in the Capability View. These services are often provided by systems or organizations and must be aligned with the mission’s objectives.

Steps:

  1. Identify Key Services: Use the Application Service or Technology Service elements to represent high-level services that support capabilities.
    • Example: “Real-time Data Sharing” or “Secure Communications.”
  2. Define Service Interfaces: Use Application Interface or Technology Interface elements to model how these services interact with other systems, users, or capabilities.
    • Example: An interface that provides access to real-time intelligence for operational units.
  3. Capture Service Contracts and Agreements: Use the Contract element to specify service level agreements (SLAs) or conditions under which the service is provided.
    • Example: “24/7 Availability” for mission-critical services.
  4. Model Stakeholder Interactions: Use Business Actor and Business Role to represent stakeholders or organizational units that consume or provide services.
    • Example: “NATO Command” as the stakeholder that consumes the “Strategic Planning Service.”

Example Diagram:

A service view showing the relationships between services, stakeholders, and the capabilities they support.

4.3 Operational Concept View (OV) – Operational Processes and Roles

The Operational Concept View (OV) represents the high-level operational concepts that describe how missions, processes, and roles interact to achieve strategic and tactical objectives. This is one of the most important conceptual views, as it links the operational context to strategic goals.

Steps:

  1. Identify Operational Roles: Use Business Actor and Business Role to represent the key roles involved in the operational context (e.g., field commanders, intelligence officers).
    • Example: “NATO Commander” or “Field Unit.”
  2. Model Operational Processes: Use Business Process and Business Function to capture the tasks and processes that support the mission.
    • Example: “Mission Coordination” or “Intelligence Gathering.”
  3. Capture Information and Task Flows: Use Business Interaction or Flow to show how information or tasks are exchanged between roles and processes.
    • Example: The flow of operational orders between a commander and field units.
  4. Link Operational Processes to Capabilities: Use Capability and Association elements to show how operational processes rely on the capabilities defined in the Capability View.
    • Example: The “Logistics Support” process is enabled by the “Rapid Deployment” capability.

Example Diagram:

An operational concept view representing the flow of information between operational roles, processes, and the capabilities that support them.

4.4 Strategic Concept View (StV) – High-Level Strategy and Goals

The Strategic Concept View (StV) captures high-level strategic goals, objectives, and the capabilities needed to achieve them. This view is essential for understanding how the architecture aligns with NATO’s strategic vision.

Steps:

  1. Capture Strategic Goals and Objectives: Use Goal and Outcome elements to model the high-level goals driving the architecture.
    • Example: “Maintain Global Security” or “Improve Interoperability.”
  2. Identify Strategic Drivers: Use Driver elements to capture factors influencing the strategy, such as geopolitical trends or emerging threats.
    • Example: “Cybersecurity Threats” or “Allied Cooperation.”
  3. Define Capabilities: Use Capability elements to describe the high-level capabilities necessary to achieve the strategic goals.
    • Example: “Cyber Defense” as a key capability in response to the “Cybersecurity Threats” driver.
  4. Link Drivers, Capabilities, and Goals: Use Association or Flow relationships to show how strategic drivers influence the capabilities and how these capabilities contribute to achieving the goals.
    • Example: “Intelligence Gathering” as a capability influenced by “Evolving Threats” and contributing to the goal of “Strategic Superiority.”

Example Diagram:

A strategic concept view showing the relationships between strategic drivers, high-level goals, and the capabilities required to achieve them.

5. Best Practices for Creating NAF v4 Concept Views Using ArchiMate

  1. Start with High-Level Elements: Concept views should focus on high-level abstractions. Avoid getting into too much technical or detailed operational specifics at this stage.
  2. Use Simple Relationships: The aim of concept views is to provide clarity. Use basic relationships like Associations, Flows, and Composition to show dependencies and interactions without overcomplicating the diagram.
  3. Align with Stakeholder Concerns: Concept views are often aimed at non-technical stakeholders, such as policymakers or strategists. Ensure that the diagrams are clear and aligned with their concerns (e.g., strategic goals, capability requirements).
  4. Consistency Across Views: Maintain consistency in terminology and structure across different concept views. For example, capabilities and roles defined in the Capability View should match those used in the Operational Concept View.
  5. Iterate with Stakeholders: Since concept views provide a high-level overview, it’s important to validate and iterate on these views with stakeholders to ensure alignment with broader strategic objectives.

6. Conclusion

The NAF v4 Concept Views offer a structured way for system engineers to model the strategic and operational foundations of NATO architecture. By using ArchiMate to create diagrams that support these views, system engineers can ensure that high-level concepts are clearly communicated, well-aligned with strategic goals, and provide a solid foundation for more detailed architecture work.