TOGAF

TOGAF is a framework for developing enterprise architecture. It's not a plain framework but contains a lot of supporting tools.  Main components of TOGAF are:

• ADM: ADM stands for Architecture development method. It's the core of TOGAF and contains step by step approach to build the enterprise architecture. With ADM comes a set of guidelines and techniques, which help in different steps of ADM.

ADM consists of following phases:

• Preliminary Phase
• Architecture Vision
• Business Architecture
• Information Systems Architecture
• Technology Architecture
• Opportunities and Solutions
• Migration Planning
• Implementation Governance
• Architecture Change Management 

From architecture vision to Architecture change management, it is arranged across a wheel with preliminary phase giving input to architecture vision. In the center of the wheels are requirements which keeps feeding all the steps in the wheel. In modern day businesses, requirements change rapidly and the changes need to be incorporated in all aspects of organization as fast as possible without creating anarchy. The ability to absorb the changed requirements is what defined the agility of the organization. This is also the key to survival in modern day competitions. Change is inevitable, the key is to develop the ability to manage it.

• Architecture Content Framework: It contains three things
  • Structured meta model for architectural artifacts
  • Reusable building blocks that can be used in architecture
  • Typical architectural deliver ables.
• Enterprise Continuum and Tools: It tells the taxonomies and tools to categorize and store.
• Reference models: Contains reference model for architecture and Integrated Information Infrastructure Reference model (III-RS)
• Architecture Capability framework: Organization, processes, skills, roles and responsibilities to establish and operate an architecture function.

Another important point to note about TOGAF is that it's not a "All or None" model. Organizations can choose a subset of model as per their need. The important thing is to understand the individual context and then apply the principals accordingly. Also as togaf is not a methodology, (though it puts second level of details at many places), it is completely at the disposal of the organization to define the underlying processes and tools.

A important concept to understand in Enterprise architecture is the definition of enterprise. Think of enterprise as an ecosystem which helps in running business functions. The ecosystem can be a department in an organization or it could be extended to suppliers and customers. In moder days, the business function are backed by IT systems and the IT systems need to react to changes in the business environment with agility. The architecture part of Enterprise architecture deals with those underlying IT systems. A good EA is a reflection of the business functions.

As TOGAF is very flexible in terms of how it can be implemented in organization, one aspect that needs to be looked into carefully is the extent to which the framework needs to be followed. The four dimensions which define the extent are:

• Breadth
• Depth
• Time Period
• Architecture Domains