SV-6 specifies the characteristics of the system data exchanged between systems. This model focuses on automated information exchanges (from OV-3) that are implemented in systems. Non-automated information exchanges, such as verbal orders, are only depicted in OV models.

System data exchanges express the relationship across the three basic architecture data elements of an SV (systems, system functions, and system data flows) and focus on the specific aspects of the system data flow and the system data content. These aspects of the system data exchange can be crucial to the operational mission and are critical to understanding the potential for the nonattainment of objectives and the constraints introduced by the physical aspects of the implementation.

SV-6 relates to, and grows out of OV-3. The operational characteristics for the OV-3 information exchanges are replaced with the corresponding system data characteristics.

Performance attributes for the operational information exchanges are replaced by the actual system data exchange performance attributes for the automated portions of the information exchange.