hat is TOGAF? An enterprise architecture
methodology for business
TOGAF is an enterprise architecture framework that helps define business
goals and align them with architecture objectives around enterprise software
development.
By Sarah K. White
Senior Writer, CIO | 11 AUGUST 2018 7:21 SGT
Astris1 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF) is an enterprise architecture
methodology that offers a high-level framework for enterprise software development.
TOGAF helps organize the development process through a systematic approach aimed
at reducing errors, maintaining timelines, staying on budget and aligning IT with
business units to produce quality results.
The Open Group developed TOGAF in 1995, and in 2016, 80 percent of Global 50
companies and 60 percent of Fortune 500 companies used the framework. TOGAF is
free for organizations to use internally, but not for commercial purposes. However,
businesses can have tools, software or training programs certified by The Open Group.
There are currently eight certified TOGAF tools and 71 accredited courses offered from
70 organizations.
TOGAF overview
Like other IT management frameworks, TOGAF helps businesses align IT goals with
overall business goals, while helping to organize cross-departmental IT efforts. TOGAF
helps businesses define and organize requirements before a project starts, keeping the
process moving quickly with few errors.
The Open Group states that TOGAF is intended to:
Ensure everyone speaks the same language
Avoid lock-in to proprietary solutions by standardizing on open methods for enterprise
architecture
Save time and money, and utilize resources more effectively
Achieve demonstrable ROI
TOGAF’s business benefits
TOGAF helps organizations implement software technology in a structured and
organized way, with a focus on governance and meeting business objectives. Software
development relies on collaboration between multiple departments and business units
both inside and outside of IT, and TOGAF helps address any issues around getting key
stakeholders on the same page.
TOGAF is intended to help create a systematic approach to streamline the development
process so that it can be replicated, with as few errors or problems as possible as each
phase of development changes hands. By creating a common language that bridges
gaps between IT and the business side, it helps bring clarity to everyone involved. It’s
an extensive document — but you don’t have to adopt every part of TOGAF.
Businesses are better off evaluating their needs to determine which parts of the
framework to focus on.
The evolution of TOGAF
TOGAF is based on TAFIM (Technical Architecture Framework for Information
Management), an IT management framework developed by the U.S. Defense
Department in the 1990s. It was released as a reference model for enterprise
architecture, offering insight into DoD’s own technical infrastructure, including how it’s
structured, maintained and configured to align with specific requirements. Since 1999,
the DoD hasn’t used the TAFIM, and it’s been eliminated from all process
documentation.
The Architecture Development Method (ADM) is at the heart of TOGAF. The ADM helps
businesses establish a process around the lifecycle of enterprise architecture. The ADM
can be adapted and customized to a specific organizational need, which can then help
inform the business’s approach to information architecture. ADM helps businesses
develop process that involve multiple check points and firmly establish requirements, so
that the process can be repeated with minimal errors.
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TOGAF was released in 1995, expanding on the concepts found in the TAFIM
framework. TOGAF 7 was released in December 2001 as the “Technical Edition,”
followed by TOGAF 8 Enterprise Edition in December 2002; it was then updated to
TOGAF 8.1 in December 2003. The Open Group took over TOGAF in 2005 and
released TOGAF 8.1.1 in November 2006. TOGAF 9 was introduced in 2009, with new
details on the overall framework, including increased guidelines and techniques. The
most recent version of TOGAF is TOGAF 9.1, which was released in 2011.
TOGAF pillars
There are four architectural domains in TOGAF 9.1 that offer specializations for
businesses.
Business architecture: includes information on business strategy, governance, organization and
how to adapt any existing processes within the organization.
Applications architecture: a blueprint for structuring and deploying application systems and in
accordance with business goals, other organizational frameworks and all core business processes.
Data architecture: defining the organization’s data storage, management and maintenance,
including logical and physical data models.
Technical architecture: also called technology architecture; it describes all necessary hardware,
software and IT infrastructure involved in developing and deploying business applications.
What’s new in TOGAF 9.1?
The most recent version of TOGAF was updated to include:
Content metamodel: This lifecycle process guides creation and management of enterprise
architecture within the guidelines of the ADM. It helps businesses implement proprietary
architecture into another architecture tool, using output checklists, a streamlined approach and a
richer, more detailed standard for describing architectures.
Partitioning: TOGAF 9 introduces suggestions and guidance for partitioning specific
architectures within the enterprise.
Architecture Repository: This acts as a document that contains all details pertaining to the
enterprise architecture and any relevant projects, and it includes ideas, designs, frameworks,
policies, process, and so on.
Enterprise Continuum: This document addresses the more abstract concepts in the framework
by establishing how everything defined in the architecture repository fits into the process and
how each asset relates to one another and to the TOGAF framework. It’s also how businesses
can help IT and other business units relate to one another with a common language, to improve
communication and reduce confusion.
ADM Guidelines and Techniques: This expands on information in the ADM, including how to
apply it within your organization, when it should be used, how it relates to TOGAF and security
considerations.
TOGAF certification and training
The TOGAF certification from The Open Group consists of two levels: Level 1 TOGAF
Certification, which covers the foundations of the TOGAF 9.1; and Level 2 TOGAF
Certification, which covers your working knowledge of TOGAF and all relevant
technology, tools and concepts. Certification is offered through The Open Group at both
individual and organizational levels and it does not need to be renewed. However, if a
new version of TOGAF comes out, you may need to get certified in the latest version of
the framework in the future.
The TOGAF certification is especially useful for enterprise architects, since it’s a
common methodology and framework used in the field. It’s also a vendor-neutral
certification that has global recognition. Earning your TOGAF certification will
demonstrate your ability to use the TOGAF framework to implement technology and
manage enterprise architecture. It will validate your abilities to work with TOGAF as it
applies to data, technology, enterprise applications and business goals.
According to PayScale, a TOGAF certification can boost your salary for the following
roles:
Job title
Median salary
With TOGAF certification
IT enterprise architect
$127,159
$137,247
Solutions architect
$115,345
$125,326
IT architect
$115,133
$119,018
Software architect
$119,819
$124,549
IT director
$113,450
$136,433
To earn your TOGAF certification, you can choose from multiple online and in-person
programs that are designed to prepare you for the exam.
Udemy Foundation Enterprise Architect Certification Training
Edureka TOGAF Certification Training
Good E-Learning TOGAF 9 Certified eLearning
Global Knowledge TOGAF for Practitioners Level 1 and 2
Elearning Launchpad TOGAF Training
EA Principals TOGAF 9 Course: Level 1 and Level 2 combined
QA TOGAF Certification course
For more IT management certifications, see "10 IT management certifications for IT
leaders."
TOGAF tools
The Open Group keeps an updated list of TOGAF 9 certified tools, which includes the
following software:
Alfabet AG: planningIT 7.1 and later
Avolution: ABACUS 4.0 or later
BiZZdesign: BiZZdesign Enterprise Studio
BOC Group: ADOIT
Orbus Software: iServer Business and IT Transformation Suite 2015 or later
Planview: Troux
Software AG: ARIS 9.0 or later
Sparx Systems: Enterprise Architect v12
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