FAQ's
Key MODAF Definitions
Capability
Capabilities in the MODAF sense are specifically not about equipment but are a high level specification of the enterprise’s ability. A capability is a classification of some ability – and can be specified regardless of whether the enterprise is currently able to achieve it. For example, one could define a capability “Manned Interplanetary Travel” which no-one can currently acheive, but which may be planned or aspired to. Capabilities in MODAF are not time-dependent – once defined they are persistent. It is only the Capability Requirement that changes.
MODAF allows the architects to develop a formal taxonomy of capabilities which can be re-used across multiple architectures.
MODAF operational architectures refer to capabilities – i.e. they define what capabilities are required for a given scenario or operation. Systems architectures define the personnel, platforms, equipment and processes needed to fulfil capabilities.
Capability Requirement
A time-dependent requirement for a Capability. A capability requirement is a statement that a Capability is required to a certain level (specified by formal metrics and natural language assertions) within a specified time frame. Taking the interplanetary travel capability from before, we could create a Capability Requirement stating that a space agency intend to achieve the capability by 2020, with a required journey time to Mars of 6 months.
Capability Configuration
A combination of organisational aspects (with their competencies) and equipment that combine to provide a capability. A Capability Configuration is a physical asset, organisation or post configured to provide a capability.
Operational Node
An Operational Node is a logical element of the operational Architecture that may produce, consume, or process information, energy, materiel or people. It is possible to think of Nodes as a container for a set of coherent operational activities.
What constitutes an Operational Node can vary among Architectures, including:
- a logical or functional grouping (e.g. Logistics Node, Intelligence Node)
- the headquarters for an organisation (e.g. Command HQ) or an organisation type (e.g. Joint Task Force HQ)
- the base for an operational capability or other facility of importance to the business
Needline
A Needline documents the exchange (required or actual) of information between Nodes. A needline is a conduit for one or more information exchanges – i.e. it represents a logical bundle of information flows. The Needline does not indicate how the information transfer is implemented
Page version 1.2. dated 08 July 2008