TOGAF

TOGAF (The Open Group Architecture Framework) is a comprehensive framework that helps organizations develop and manage their enterprise architecture. It provides a structured approach to planning, designing, implementing, and governing enterprise architectures, promoting the reuse of architectural resources.

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Content type

Concept

Theoretical construct: explains a term, principle, or mental model.

Classification level

Foundation

What you need to understand to reason about a domain.

Available perspectives

Open this building block directly in an already curated view.

360°

In brief

TOGAF in brief

TOGAF is an Open Group framework that brings together methods and terminology for developing and governing enterprise architectures.

Where does it come from?

The Open Group established TOGAF by developing and standardizing approaches to enterprise architecture. The framework connects architecture domains, a development cycle and governance so that architecture work can become comparable and repeatable across organizations and initiatives.

The mental model

TOGAF moves from an architecture vision and requirements through business, information-systems and technology descriptions to a target architecture and implementation. Its Architecture Development Method is applied iteratively; governance, stakeholders and reuse accompany the phases. TOGAF is an adaptable framework, not a ready-made organizational design.

Key building blocks

Core idea

A shared framework structures architecture development and decision governance.

Mechanism

Iterative architecture phases connect vision, requirements, target state and implementation.

Practice context

Organizations adapt methods, roles and artefacts to their size, maturity and change initiatives.

When is it useful?

TOGAF helps structure architecture decisions across domains and initiatives and anchor their implementation in the organization.

TOGAF Standard – The Open Group

Why is this building block relevant?

TOGAF is a framework for enterprise architecture that provides best practices for planning, designing, implementing, and governing enterprise architectures.