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TOGAF® 9, a new era in Enterprise Architecture

Serge Thorn, CIO, Architecting the Enterprise

TOGAF 9 has been announced at the Open Group 21st Enterprise Architecture Practitioners conference in San Diego. The Open Group, a vendor- and technology-neutral consortium, in early February delivered TOGAF 9, an enterprise architecture framework.

TOGAF 9 introduces significant enhancements to the previous version of the standard and represents a departure for enterprise architecture frameworks in general. It’s larger, more mature, and modular to allow people to enter it from a variety of perspectives. It takes on a much more significant business services and accomplishments perspective. TOGAF 9 includes new material, describes more topics, like capability-based planning, security architecture and SOA. The new Architecture Content Framework includes a detailed content meta-model that formalizes the definition of an enterprise architecture (EA) and also establishes clear links between business and IT objects. It also show in detail how the Architecture Development Method (ADM ) is considering other It governance domains such as Risk management, Operations management, Project and Portfolio management. In general more attention is given to business issues and business alignment.

TOGAF 9 is an evolution of TOGAF 8 and has been designed for greater usability. It is more focused on holistic enterprise change and provides more consistency of outputs. In all areas, the specification adds detail and clarity above and beyond previous TOGAF versions.

What’s new in TOGAF 9?

Modular Structure

TOGAF allows for the concepts in each part to be developed with limited impacts on other parts. The modular structure in TOGAF is intended to support greater usability, as each part has a defined purpose and can be read in isolation as a stand-alone set of guidelines.

Content Framework

This is a significant addition to TOGAF. The TOGAF content framework provides a detailed model of architectural work products, including deliverables, artifacts within deliverables, and the architectural building blocks that artifacts represent.

It provides a comprehensive checklist of architecture outputs
It promotes better integration of work products if adopted across an enterprise
It provides a detailed open standard for how architectures should be described

Extended Guidance on Adopting TOGAF within an Enterprise

This version of TOGAF features an extended set of concepts and guidelines to support the establishment of an integrated hierarchy of architectures being developed by teams that operate within an overarching architectural governance model. In particular, the following concepts are introduced:

Partitioning

This abstracts away from the specific rows and columns of the Zachman matrix, while retaining the underlying principle of articulating different architectural views and domains in a systematic manner.

Architecture Repository

The Architecture Repository is a logical information store for outputs of executing the ADM:
The Architecture Metamodel describes the architecture framework in use within the Enterprise
The Architecture Landscape shows the state of the operating Enterprise at particular points in time
The Reference Library contains re-usable architecture work products
The Standards Information Base defines the compliance criteria for work governed by architecture
The Governance Log captures results of governance activity, such as compliance assessments
The Architecture Capability describes the organisation, roles, skills and responsibilities of the Enterprise Architecture practice
The Architecture Repository is a logical information store for outputs of executing the ADM:
The Architecture Metamodel describes the architecture framework in use within the Enterprise
The Architecture Landscape shows the state of the operating Enterprise at particular points in time
The Reference Library contains re-usable architecture work products
The Standards Information Base defines the compliance criteria for work governed by architecture
The Governance Log captures results of governance activity, such as compliance assessments
The Architecture Capability describes the organisation, roles, skills and responsibilities of the Enterprise Architecture practice

Capability Framework

It is intended to provide better guidance in the area of skills, organization, roles and responsibilities of architects, and a process for defining an appropriate architecture capability for any organization.

Content metamodel

The new Architecture Content Framework includes a detailed content meta-model that formalizes the definition of an enterprise architecture (EA) and also establishes clear links between business and IT objects.

Capability Framework

Following the lead taken by the architectural frameworks of the defence world (DoDAF and MODAF), but applying a high-level concept of business capability to the civilian world. For example, the TOGAF guide points to the relevance of concept for governments in planning horizontal interoperability and shared services
It is a structured definition of the organizations, skills, roles and responsibilities to establish and operate an Enterprise Architecture, including:

Terms of Reference for an Architecture Board
Guidance on measuring levels of Architecture Compliance against Architecture contracts
Processes and organization structures required to operate Architecture Governance
Techniques for assessing Architecture Maturity
An overview of the Skills required by practicing architects

Explicit Consideration of Architectural Style

The new Part III: ADM Guidelines & Techniques brings together a set of supporting materials that show in more detail how the ADM can be applied to specific situations.

Applying Iteration to the ADM
Applying the ADM at different Enterprise Levels
Security Architecture and the ADM
Using TOGAF to define and govern SOA

Additional ADM Detail

This version of the TOGAF specification includes more detailed information supporting the execution of the ADM.

The Preliminary phase, which features extended guidance on establishing an enterprise architecture framework and planning for architecture development.
The Opportunities & Solutions phase and Migration Planning phase, which feature a more detailed and robust method for defining and planning enterprise transformation, based on the principles of capability-based planning.

Summary

TOGAF 9

Builds a rich foundation for business execution
Enables business solutions from solidly defined architectural capabilities
Unites the business objectives with the IT capabilities, creating a platform for significant added value.

Detailed information on TOGAF 9 including downloads of the specification, links to white papers, information sheets, reference cards, etc is available at: