- Blog Categories
- Project Management
- Agile Management
- IT Service Management
- Cloud Computing
- Business Management
- BI And Visualisation
- Quality Management
- Cyber Security
- Most Popular Blogs
- PMP Exam Schedule for 2025: Check PMP Exam Date
- Top 60+ PMP Exam Questions and Answers for 2025
- PMP Cheat Sheet and PMP Formulas To Use in 2025
- What is PMP Process? A Complete List of 49 Processes of PMP
- Top 15+ Project Management Case Studies with Examples 2025
- Top Picks by Authors
- Top 170 Project Management Research Topics
- What is Effective Communication: Definition
- How to Create a Project Plan in Excel in 2025?
- PMP Certification Exam Eligibility in 2025 [A Complete Checklist]
- PMP Certification Fees - All Aspects of PMP Certification Fee
- Most Popular Blogs
- CSM vs PSM: Which Certification to Choose in 2025?
- How Much Does Scrum Master Certification Cost in 2025?
- CSPO vs PSPO Certification: What to Choose in 2025?
- 8 Best Scrum Master Certifications to Pursue in 2025
- Safe Agilist Exam: A Complete Study Guide 2025
- Top Picks by Authors
- SAFe vs Agile: Difference Between Scaled Agile and Agile
- Top 21 Scrum Best Practices for Efficient Agile Workflow
- 30 User Story Examples and Templates to Use in 2025
- State of Agile: Things You Need to Know
- Top 24 Career Benefits of a Certifed Scrum Master
- Most Popular Blogs
- ITIL Certification Cost in 2025 [Exam Fee & Other Expenses]
- Top 17 Required Skills for System Administrator in 2025
- How Effective Is Itil Certification for a Job Switch?
- IT Service Management (ITSM) Role and Responsibilities
- Top 25 Service Based Companies in India in 2025
- Top Picks by Authors
- What is Escalation Matrix & How Does It Work? [Types, Process]
- ITIL Service Operation: Phases, Functions, Best Practices
- 10 Best Facility Management Software in 2025
- What is Service Request Management in ITIL? Example, Steps, Tips
- An Introduction To ITIL® Exam
- Most Popular Blogs
- A Complete AWS Cheat Sheet: Important Topics Covered
- Top AWS Solution Architect Projects in 2025
- 15 Best Azure Certifications 2025: Which one to Choose?
- Top 22 Cloud Computing Project Ideas in 2025 [Source Code]
- How to Become an Azure Data Engineer? 2025 Roadmap
- Top Picks by Authors
- Top 40 IoT Project Ideas and Topics in 2025 [Source Code]
- The Future of AWS: Top Trends & Predictions in 2025
- AWS Solutions Architect vs AWS Developer [Key Differences]
- Top 20 Azure Data Engineering Projects in 2025 [Source Code]
- 25 Best Cloud Computing Tools in 2025
- Most Popular Blogs
- Company Analysis Report: Examples, Templates, Components
- 400 Trending Business Management Research Topics
- Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK): Guide
- ECBA Certification: Is it Worth it?
- How to Become Business Analyst in 2025? Step-by-Step
- Top Picks by Authors
- Top 20 Business Analytics Project in 2025 [With Source Code]
- ECBA Certification Cost Across Countries
- Top 9 Free Business Requirements Document (BRD) Templates
- Business Analyst Job Description in 2025 [Key Responsibility]
- Business Analysis Framework: Elements, Process, Techniques
- Most Popular Blogs
- Best Career options after BA [2025]
- Top Career Options after BCom to Know in 2025
- Top 10 Power Bi Books of 2025 [Beginners to Experienced]
- Power BI Skills in Demand: How to Stand Out in the Job Market
- Top 15 Power BI Project Ideas
- Top Picks by Authors
- 10 Limitations of Power BI: You Must Know in 2025
- Top 45 Career Options After BBA in 2025 [With Salary]
- Top Power BI Dashboard Templates of 2025
- What is Power BI Used For - Practical Applications Of Power BI
- SSRS Vs Power BI - What are the Key Differences?
- Most Popular Blogs
- Data Collection Plan For Six Sigma: How to Create One?
- Quality Engineer Resume for 2025 [Examples + Tips]
- 20 Best Quality Management Certifications That Pay Well in 2025
- Six Sigma in Operations Management [A Brief Introduction]
- Top Picks by Authors
- Six Sigma Green Belt vs PMP: What's the Difference
- Quality Management: Definition, Importance, Components
- Adding Green Belt Certifications to Your Resume
- Six Sigma Green Belt in Healthcare: Concepts, Benefits and Examples
- Most Popular Blogs
- Latest CISSP Exam Dumps of 2025 [Free CISSP Dumps]
- CISSP vs Security+ Certifications: Which is Best in 2025?
- Best CISSP Study Guides for 2025 + CISSP Study Plan
- How to Become an Ethical Hacker in 2025?
- Top Picks by Authors
- CISSP vs Master's Degree: Which One to Choose in 2025?
- CISSP Endorsement Process: Requirements & Example
- OSCP vs CISSP | Top Cybersecurity Certifications
- How to Pass the CISSP Exam on Your 1st Attempt in 2025?
- More
- Agile & PMP Practice Tests
- Agile Testing
- Agile Scrum Practice Exam
- CAPM Practice Test
- PRINCE2 Foundation Exam
- PMP Practice Exam
- Cloud Related Practice Test
- Azure Infrastructure Solutions
- AWS Solutions Architect
- AWS Developer Associate
- IT Related Pratice Test
- ITIL Practice Test
- Devops Practice Test
- TOGAF® Practice Test
- Other Practice Test
- Oracle Primavera P6 V8
- MS Project Practice Test
- Project Management & Agile
- Project Management Interview Questions
- Release Train Engineer Interview Questions
- Agile Coach Interview Questions
- Scrum Interview Questions
- IT Project Manager Interview Questions
- Cloud & Data
- Azure Databricks Interview Questions
- AWS architect Interview Questions
- Cloud Computing Interview Questions
- AWS Interview Questions
- Kubernetes Interview Questions
- Web Development
- CSS3 Free Course with Certificates
- Basics of Spring Core and MVC
- Javascript Free Course with Certificate
- React Free Course with Certificate
- Node JS Free Certification Course
- Data Science
- Python Machine Learning Course
- Python for Data Science Free Course
- NLP Free Course with Certificate
- Data Analysis Using SQL
- Home
- Blog
- It Service Management
- A Quick Guide to TOGAF Architecture for Beginners
A Quick Guide to TOGAF Architecture for Beginners
Updated on Jul 22, 2022 | 8 min read | 12.48K+ views
Share:
Table of Contents
View all
- What is TOGAF Architecture?
- The Components of TOGAF Architecture
- TOGAF – a Standard Framework for Continuous Architecture Development
- What Are Enterprise Architecture Principles?
- What is a TOGAF Architecture Roadmap?
- What is the TOGAF Architecture Development Method?
- The Stages of the TOGAF Architecture Development Method (TOGAF ADM)
- Conclusion
TOGAF is an open group architecture framework for enterprises deployed by more than 60% of Fortune 500 companies worldwide. The Open Group reports that the model has been used by 80% of Global 50 companies. Any architecture framework features a set of tools that are used for developing a broad range of designs and describes methods for building information systems from scratch. An enterprise invested in accelerating digital transformation will have to rely on tools and best practices to shift from traditional IT architecture to one that’s organization-specific, scalable, and meets its business requirements. The TOGAF model is designed to be adaptive, versatile, and fits various industry use-case scenarios.
Get a deeper understanding of what is TOGAF? and why it’s so important?
What is TOGAF Architecture?
TOGAF Architecture is a framework that helps organizations create business goals and establish an architecture-specific design while ensuring it aligns with those goals. It is an architectural methodology that adopts a systemic approach to reducing errors, keeping timelines, and growing according to stipulated budgets. The TOGAF method was developed in 1995 by The Open Group, and it is free to use for organizations who want it for personal reasons. It is not free for commercial purposes, and over 71 accredited TOGAF courses are available worldwide, along with eight certified tools.
According to the Open Group, the tenth edition of TOGAF architecture is slated to assist organizations in operating more efficiently, provide simpler navigation, and flawless guidance in implementing the TOGAF framework to suit their business use cases.
The Components of TOGAF Architecture
The core TOGAF components are:
- Reference models
- Enterprise Continuum
- Architecture Content Framework
- Architecture Capability Framework
- ADM Guidelines and techniques
- Architecture Development Method (ADM)
TOGAF – a Standard Framework for Continuous Architecture Development
TOGAF training and certification programs are designed to introduce professionals to the standard framework for continuous architecture development. Here is what you need to know.
What Do Its Elements Represent?
TOGAF elements represent methods and tools for implementing frameworks for organizations, performing production and maintenance, and accepting changes done on process models. Many IT service management courses go into the basics of these elements as part of the TOGAF learning process.
When Would You Use TOGAF?
TOGAF is used when an organization hasn’t decided on its project requirements, scope, and needs, to identify these requirements to help organize various processes.
What Are Enterprise Architecture Principles?
The general principles of TOGAF architecture design are:
- The architecture is limited to services that only the organization specifies.
- Architecture may use one or multiple services and even parts of a service.
- Formal IT governance implementations are recommended for the architecture to follow.
- All elements of the architecture should be reused in alignment with all categories of the Enterprise Continuum and not left out.
One of the prerequisites of using the TOGAF ADM is designing it to meet organizational requirements and modify it accordingly. One of the primary tasks is to review the ADM and make sure it connects with other processes such as business strategy, development planning, budget, requirements, project management, and procurement. Generic architecture is referred to as Product Line Architecture and is analogous.
How Many Architecture Principles Does an Enterprise Need?
An enterprise only needs four of the major TOGAF domains. There are 21 principles out there, and not all are required.
What is a TOGAF Architecture Roadmap?
A TOGAF Architecture roadmap is a set of architectural elements and building processes that help an organization eventually shift from its current architecture to its target architecture. It implements changes on an incremental basis, and the architecture building blocks come with sufficient documentation. Roadmaps may be synchronized with major project plans, and their role is to produce results while ascertaining the level of detail needed to achieve them during the planning stages.
What is the TOGAF Architecture Development Method?
The TOGAF Architecture Development Method (ADM) is a part of the TOGAF model and works in conjunction with the TOGAF Foundation Architecture. TOGAF ADM describes the process of transitioning from a TOGAF-specific architecture to one that is organization-specific and suits changing business requirements. Different building blocks, architectural components, and models are used, all of which relate to various domains of the TOGAF architecture. The ADM method is an iterative process, and its primary focus is to make architectural components ready for reuse and populate the company’s Enterprise Continuum.
The initial execution of ADM is the hardest, and organizations find that once they identify assets and structure processes, the model becomes readily available for implementation, application, and reuse. You can learn more about the KnowledgeHut TOGAF training and certification to get additional insights.
Unleash your potential with our best PMP training course and become a skilled project management professional in a flash!
The Stages of the TOGAF Architecture Development Method (TOGAF ADM)
Following are the stages of the TOGAF ADM framework:
1. Preliminary Phase
The preliminary phase is used to identify business requirements, growth drivers, and key principles. The goal is to get a clear vision of what the company is aiming for and design architecture around that. It is the blueprint or the very foundation, and this phase is also used for selecting the best tools, architectural processes, API integrations, and more.
2. Architecture Vision
Architecture vision elaborates on the proposed enterprise architecture plan. This phase discusses initiation activities, business readiness, risks, and mitigation methods. Large and complex organizations can reduce the complexity of their operational processes and talk about relevant changes during this phase. Check more about the significance of TOGAF In enterprise architecture.
3. Business Architecture
Business architecture designs the architecture for enterprises on three levels - business, information systems, and technology. This phase develops the baseline for new architecture and selects architecture viewpoints for the stakeholder to review. It also defines the target architecture and analyzes gaps between baseline and target. Other non-functional criteria are looked into, and a detailed gap analysis report is drafted. Also,
4. Information Systems Architecture
Information Systems Architecture is divided into data and applications architecture. Data architecture defines data types and sources, while applications architecture lists all processes required for providing the data and supporting businesses. Some of the key inputs to this phase are the Enterprise Continuum, Architecture Vision, Data Principles, Request for Architecture Work, Gap Analysis Results, and relevant technical requirements. Other outputs are baseline applications architecture, statement of architecture work, data architecture report, impact analysis, and updated business requirements.
5. Technology Architecture
The technology architecture phase lays the groundwork for implementing work and sets the standard for baseline technology architecture. It considers different architecture models, viewpoints, and reference tools and makes the services portfolio for architectural building blocks. Key outputs of this phase are Target Technology Architecture Vision, validation of technology principles, Statement of Architecture Work (updated), gap analysis report, and all viewpoints that address main stakeholder concerns.
6. Opportunities and Solutions
This phase identifies the key business drivers, brainstorms technical requirements, work pages and solutions, and any other gap analysis. It identifies strategic parameters for change and assesses the costs and benefits of building upcoming projects. It also analyzes building versus buying and reusing solutions for business purposes. Key inputs of the phase are Request for Architecture Work, Statement of Architecture Work, Target Data Architecture, Reusable Architecture, and Product Information. At the same time, outputs are the implementation and migration strategy, impact analysis documentation and high-level implementation planning.
7. Migration Planning
Migration planning assigns priority levels to projects and sorts them in the most appropriate order. It estimates resource requirements, performs cost-benefit analysis, and risk assessments, and produces proposed implementation roadmaps.
8. Implementation Governance
This phase involves all the rules and regulations that govern implementing new frameworks. It formulates recommendations and constructs architecture contracts. It also performs all the appropriate governance functions and ensures conformance. Key outputs are the architecture-compliant implemented system and impact analysis report.
9. Architecture Change Management
This stage establishes architectural changes to the management process, provides continuous monitoring, and decides whether or not a new architecture cycle should be implemented. It also monitors technology changes and arranges for meetings with the Architecture Board. The two key inputs to this phase are the Requests for Architecture Change due to technology changes, Requests for Architecture change due to business changes, and primary outputs are New Request for Architecture Work, changes to Architecture framework and principles, and architecture updates.
10. Requirements Management
The objective of the requirements management phase is to list business architecture requirements for the entire ADM lifecycle. It identifies enterprise requirements, identifies necessary documentation, sets baselines, and reviews gap analysis results. It can add, modify, or remove these requirements based on the organization's priorities and update the requirements repository. All the outputs for each ADM phase are used as key inputs for the Requirements management phase. Outputs are changed requirements and impact statements and include the final version of the full implications of all project requirements.
Conclusion
Now that you have a clear idea of the TOGAF ADM phases, you can adapt the model to suit your enterprise requirements. TOGAF is constantly evolving and forms a core foundation for designing enterprise architectures. The framework features detailed planning methods, development, and maintenance and includes several components of the TOGAF architecture lifecycle. The ADM simply incorporates multiple elements and documents and creates a structure for the organization that satisfies its technology and business needs.
You might also find it interesting to read about is enterprise architecture relevant to agile article.
Master Right Skills & Boost Your Career
Avail your free 1:1 mentorship session
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What kind of architecture does TOGAF deal with?
2. What are the four architectural domains in TOGAF?
3. What is TOGAF 9 certified?
4. Which phase of Togaf is dedicated to implementation governance?
5. What is TOGAF ADM?
176 articles published
Manikandan Mohanakrishnan is a highly skilled corporate trainer, consultant, and content developer with expertise in a wide range of areas including ITIL 4, PRINCE2, Agile/Scrum, PMP, DevOps, and soft...
Get Free Consultation
By submitting, I accept the T&C and
Privacy Policy
Ready to fast-track your ITSM career?