An Enterprise Architecture (EA) describes the “current architecture” and “target architecture,” and provides a strategy that will enable an agency to transition from its current state to its target environment. The Office of Management and Budget defines enterprise architecture as the explicit description and documentation of the current and desired relationships among business and management processes and IT. [1]

All DoD architectures, including warfighter, intelligence, business process, and enterprise management architectures, are part of the DoD Enterprise Architecture (EA). The DoD EA is defined as a federation of descriptions that provide context and rules for accomplishing the mission of the Department. These descriptions are developed and maintained at the Department, Capability Area, and Component levels and collectively define the people, processes, and technology required in the “current” and “target” environments, and the roadmap for transition to the target environment. [1]

The DoD EA is part of the organizing construct of the DoD Information Enterprise.

AcqLinks and References:

• [1] Defense Acquisition Guidebook (DAG) – Chapter 7
• DoD Information Enterprise Architecture Version, 7 May 2010
• CJCS Instruction 6212.01 “Interoperability and Supportability of IT and National Security Systems” – 15 Dec 2008
• DoD Directive 4630.05 “Interoperability and Supportability of IT and National Security Systems (NSS)” – 23 Apr 2007
• DoD Directive 8000.01 “Management of the DoD Information Enterprise” – 10 Feb 2009 
• Presentation: DoD Information Enterprise Architecture V1.0 by Terry Hagle for OSD
• Website: DISA – Net-Centric Enterprise Services
• Website: DoD Information Enterprise Architecture
• Website: Army Enterprise Architecture

Updated: 9/1/2017