IDEAS Group
Encyclopedia
The IDEAS Group is the International Defence Enterprise Architecture Specification for exchange Group. The deliverable of the project is a data exchange format for military Enterprise Architectures. The scope is four nation (plus NATO as observers) and covers MODAF
(UK), DoDAF (USA), DNDAF (Canada) and the Australian Defence Architecture Framework. The initial scope for exchange is the architectural data required to support coalition operations planning -
The work has begun with the development of a formal ontology to specify the data exchange semantics. The W3C Resource Description Framework
(RDF) and Web Ontology Language
(OWL) will be the format used for data exchange. A demonstration of multinational interoperability is scheduled for September 2007, based on exchanging process models for casualty tracking.
) ontology. It is extensional (see Extension (metaphysics)
), using physical existence as its criterion for identity. In practical terms, this means the ontology is well suited to managing change over time and identifying elements with a degree of precision that is not possible using names alone.
The ontology is being built using the BORO Method
which has proven useful for the multi-disciplinary team working on IDEAS. BORO forces the ontology developer to consider each concept in terms of its physical extent. This means there can be no argument about names or meaning - something either exists or it doesn't. The BORO Method
also deals with classes and relationships by tracing them back to their members (classes) or ends (relationships).
white paper and in a book on Systems Engineering from Springer Verlag
MODAF
The British Ministry of Defence Architecture Framework is an Architecture Framework which defines a standardised way of conducting Enterprise Architecture, originally developed by the UK Ministry of Defence....
(UK), DoDAF (USA), DNDAF (Canada) and the Australian Defence Architecture Framework. The initial scope for exchange is the architectural data required to support coalition operations planning -
- Systems - communications systems, networks, software applications, etc.
- Communications links between systems
- Information specifications - the types of information (and their security classifications) that the comms architecture will handle
- Platforms & facilities.
- System & operational functions (activities)
- People & organizations
- Architecture meta-data - who owns it, who was the architect, name, version, description, etc.
The work has begun with the development of a formal ontology to specify the data exchange semantics. The W3C Resource Description Framework
Resource Description Framework
The Resource Description Framework is a family of World Wide Web Consortium specifications originally designed as a metadata data model...
(RDF) and Web Ontology Language
Web Ontology Language
The Web Ontology Language is a family of knowledge representation languages for authoring ontologies.The languages are characterised by formal semantics and RDF/XML-based serializations for the Semantic Web...
(OWL) will be the format used for data exchange. A demonstration of multinational interoperability is scheduled for September 2007, based on exchanging process models for casualty tracking.
The Need for Architecture Interoperability
The need for IDEAS was identified in 2005 by the Australian, Canadian, UK & US defence departments. The main purpose of IDEAS is to support coalition military operations planning. The ability to exchange architectures between countries enables better understanding of each others capabilities, communications mechanisms and standard procedures.Military Application
- Sharing of standard operating procedures and doctrine. Each nation has its own operating procedures, which are usually represented in process models (e.g. a DoDAF OV-5 Product). An ability to share these processes between partner nations enables better understanding and more efficient joint operations.
- Sharing of systems information. The nations generally use different communications systems, weapon systems and platforms. An ability to share technical information (within classification limits) enables better understanding of how partner nations' systems communicate and function. This allows for better orchestration of sensors and effects across the coalition.
- Change management. The procurement cycles in each of the nations are generally not coordinated with each other. Ability to share future systems information amongst partner nations allows for better forward planning.
- Identification of system options. In planning a coalition operation, it is useful for the planner to have an accurate picture of each nation's capability contribution. This allows for selection of best capability, and reduction in redundancy and start-up effort.
- Identification of network configuration. It is important for each nation to have an understanding of the comms laydown for an operation. An ability to provide each nation with the same understanding of the comms structure means there is less re-work and less opportunity for gaps in understanding between the nations
- Assessment of Relative Performance. IDEAS will enable exchange of complete Enterprise ArchitectureEnterprise architectureAn enterprise architecture is a rigorous description of the structure of an enterprise, which comprises enterprise components , the externally visible properties of those components, and the relationships between them...
models, potentially allowing simulation of capability prior to operational commitment. - Force Structures. Coalition nations will be able to share organisational structures and orders of battle with partners (again, subject to issues of security classification).
Ontology
IDEAS is a formal, higher-order, 4D (see four dimensionalismFour dimensionalism
In philosophy, four-dimensionalism is an ontological position that an object's persistence through time is like its extension through space and an object that exists in time has temporal parts in the various subregions of the total region of time it occupies.Eternalism is a...
) ontology. It is extensional (see Extension (metaphysics)
Extension (metaphysics)
In metaphysics, extension is, roughly speaking, the property of "taking up space". René Descartes defines extension as the property of existing in more than one dimension. For Descartes, the primary characteristic of matter is extension, just as the primary characteristic of mind is consciousness...
), using physical existence as its criterion for identity. In practical terms, this means the ontology is well suited to managing change over time and identifying elements with a degree of precision that is not possible using names alone.
The ontology is being built using the BORO Method
BORO Method
BORO is an approach to developing ontological or semantic models for large complex operational applications that consists of a top ontology and a process for constructing the ontology. It was originally developed as a method for mining ontologies from multiple legacy systems – as the first stage in...
which has proven useful for the multi-disciplinary team working on IDEAS. BORO forces the ontology developer to consider each concept in terms of its physical extent. This means there can be no argument about names or meaning - something either exists or it doesn't. The BORO Method
BORO Method
BORO is an approach to developing ontological or semantic models for large complex operational applications that consists of a top ontology and a process for constructing the ontology. It was originally developed as a method for mining ontologies from multiple legacy systems – as the first stage in...
also deals with classes and relationships by tracing them back to their members (classes) or ends (relationships).
Implementation
To date, there have been three IDEAS implementations:- IDEAS Ontology Development Plug-in for Sparx Enterprise Architect. The Beta test version can be downloaded from http://www.modelfutures.com/software/
- An OV-5 export interface for Telelogic System Architect. The interface was developed by Silver Bullet inc. under contract to the DoD
- An OV-5 import/export interface for Sparx Enterprise Architect developed by Model Futures for MOD (under sub-contract to Serco Consulting)
- The MOD OntologyMOD OntologyThe MOD Ontology is the name given to the upper ontology intended to support the UK Ministry of Defence's Enterprise Architecture Programme, specifically MODAF. The ontology project is at an early stage and is being led by DG-Info ....
Demonstrator - used the IDEAS model to demonstrate a simple geopolitical ontology. It can be downloaded from http://www.modaf.com/News/69/mod-ontology-demonstrator-released - The UK MOD AV-2 demonstrator - implemented a shared ontology based on IDEAS that is used to populate AV-2 in MODAF
IDEAS Publications & Presentations
The IDEAS work has been presented at a number of conferences. It has also been cited in a Cutter ConsortiumCutter Consortium
Cutter Consortium, founded by Karen Fine Coburn in 1986 as Cutter Information Corp., is an American information technology research company. In 1990, Cutter purchased the American Programmer journal , and partnered with its founder, Ed Yourdon, to form the Cutter Consortium...
white paper and in a book on Systems Engineering from Springer Verlag
External links
- IDEAS Group Official site
- Presentation on IDEAS by Dave McDaniel from Integrated EA 2008
- IDEAS Group on LinkedIn
- Conceptual InteroperabilityConceptual interoperabilityConceptual interoperability is a concept in simulation theory.From the early ideas of Harkrider and Lunceford, simulation composability has been studied in more detail...