DoDAF Viewpoints and Models
Systems Viewpoint
SV-5a: Operational Activity to Systems Function Traceability Matrix
The SV-5a addresses the linkage between System Functions described in SV-4 Systems Functionality Description and Operational Activities specified in OV-5a Operational Activity Decomposition Tree or OV-5b Operational Activity Model. The SV-5a depicts the mapping of system functions and, optionally, the capabilities and performers that provide them to operational activities. The SV-5a identifies the transformation of an operational need into a purposeful action performed by a system or solution.
During requirements definition, the SV-5a plays a particularly important role in tracing the architectural elements associated with system function requirements to those associated with user requirements.
The intended usage of the SV-5a includes:
- Tracing functional system requirements to user requirements.
- Tracing solution options to requirements.
- Identification of overlaps or gaps.
Detailed Description:
An SV-5a is a specification of the relationships between the set of operational activities applicable to an Architectural Description and the set of system functions applicable to that Architectural Description. The relationship between operational activities and system functions can also be expected to be many-to-many (i.e., one activity may be supported by multiple functions, and one function may support multiple activities). The system functions shown in the SV-5a may be those associated with capabilities and performers. More focused SV-5a models might be used to specifically trace system functions to operational activities if desired.
DoDAF uses the term Operational Activity in the OVs and the term System Function in the SVs to refer to essentially the same kind of thing; both activities and functions are tasks that are performed, accept inputs, and develop outputs. The distinction between an Operational Activity and a Function is a question of what and how. The Operational Activity is a specification of what is to be done, regardless of the mechanism used. A System Function is specifies how a resource carries it out. For this reason, SV-5a is a significant model, as it ties together the logical specification in the OV-5a with the physical specification of the SV-4 Systems Functionality Description. System Functions can be carried out by Functional Resources (systems, performers executing activities, and performers).
The SV-5a is generally presented as a matrix of the relationship between system functions and operational activities. The SV-5a can show requirements traceability with Operational Activities on one axis of a matrix, the System Functions on the other axis, and with an X, date, or phase in the intersecting cells, where appropriate.
An alternate version of the tabular SV-5a can allow the implementation status of each function to be shown. In this variant model, each system function-to-operational activity mapping is described by a traffic light symbol that may indicate the status of the system support. DoDAF V2.0 does not prescribe a presentation technique. These symbols are usually colored circles with the following possible representations:
- Red may indicate that the functionality is planned but not developed.
- Yellow may indicate that partial functionality has been provided (or full functionality provided but system has not been fielded).
- Green may indicate that full functionality has been provided to the field.
- A blank cell may indicate that there is no system support planned for an Operational Activity, or that a relationship does not exist between the Operational Activity and the System Function.
Care should be taken when publishing a SV-5a with status information. Any presentation should clearly state the date of publication, so that users can see when status information is old.
SV-5a may be further annotated with Systems, Capabilities, Performers executing Activities, and capabilities and performers that conduct the functions.
SV-1 Systems Interface Description
SV-2 Systems Resource Flow Description
SV-3 Systems-Systems Matrix
SV-4 Systems Functionality Description
SV-5a Operational Activity to Systems Function Traceability Matrix
SV-5b Operational Activity to Systems Traceability Matrix
SV-6 Systems Resource Flow Matrix
SV-7 Systems Measures Matrix
SV-8 Systems Evolution Description
SV-9 Systems Technology & Skills Forecast
Introduction to SV-10a, SV10b, and SV-10c
SV-10a Systems Rules Model
SV-10b Systems State Transition Description
SV-10c Systems Event-Trace Description