Army Data Architecture
Data Transformation in the Army requires addressing not only the technical challenges of net-centricity, but the associated managerial and goverance challenges as well. The Army has developed a data management plan to facilitate the successful migration to net-centric operations by coordinating technical implimention (common Army Data Framework and specification), sound governance, data management, and data quality processes that reduce the risks associated with migrating data across systems and platforms. The capstone document of the data management program is the Army Data Transformation Plan.
This figure depicts the Army Data Transformation Approach to manage Army data. The approach consists of six phases: Accountable, Authoritative, Transform, Expose, Register and Assess. Note that while the approach calls them “phases”, they can and will be performed concurrently.
Phase One - Accountable
Implementing the data governance structure that is responsible and accountable for implementing data management across the Army Enterprise and achieving net-centric data, thus institutionalizing net-centric data management. The Army Data Board, Army Data Council, Chief Data Officer and Army Data Stewards are individual components of Army's data governance Structure.
Phase Two - Authoritative
Identifying master data elements and authoritative data sources, ensuring the most accurate, current data is managed, visible, trusted, and responsive to consumers.
Master data management and authoritative data sources are the Army's initial focus areas in providing authoritative data.
Phase Three - Transform
Improving the quality of data in the authoritative sources and transforming data to standardized structures will increase quality, interoperability and understandability while reducing further transformations and loss of meaning to the consumer. This involves performing data quality assessments, data improvements and developing data dictionaries.