What is an Architecture Framework?

An architecture framework is a specification of how to organize and present an enterprise through architecture descriptions. ISO/IEC 42010:2011 describes an Architecture Framework as:

“The conventions, principles and practices for the description of architectures established within a specific domain of application and/or community of stakeholders”.

An evolution of this reference proposes the following definition:

“The conventions, principles and practices for the architecture activities established within a specific domain of application and/or community of stakeholders”.

It consists of a set of standard viewpoints which ISO/IEC 42010 describes as:

“The work product establishing the conventions for the construction, interpretation and use of architecture views to frame specific system concerns”.

To manage complexity for NATO, an Architecture Framework has been developed and defines a standard set of viewpoints which each have a specific purpose. NAF define viewpoints in terms of the concerns they address.