An operational exchange is formed when an activity of one operational node consumes items produced by another activity of a different operational node.
An operational exchange describes the characteristics of the exchanged item, such as the content, format (voice, imagery, text and message format, etc.), throughput requirements, security or classification level, timeliness requirement, and the degree of interoperability.
MODAF/NAF: An OperationalExchange (MODAF::LogicalFlow, NAF::LogicalFlow) asserts that a flow exists or is required between Nodes (e.g. flows of information, people, materiel, or energy).