Organize Your System: Architecture versus Framework

Architectures and frameworks are among many other artifacts that could be used for organization. So what is the difference between an architecture and a framework?

Architectures define a unified structure of a system. It is concened with the purpose determination, concept, structure, use and behavior of the system. Architectures could be physical, operational, technical or functional.

Frameworks define the data and information that needs to go into an Architecture. For example a framework will define that a functional architecture will include functions, inputs and outputs of these functional blocks, controls and maybe actors performing these functions.

Common frameworks are DOD Architecture Framework (DODAF), The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF), Federal Enterprise Architecture Framework (FEAF), and they define what needs to be in a C4ISR Architecture, Enterprise Architecture and a Federal Enterprise Architecture respectively.

More to come on this topic soon...