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{{Short description|Reference model for enterprise architecture}}

[[Image:TOGAF ADM.jpg|240px|thumb|TOGAF 8.1.1 ADM.<ref name="SM03">Stephen Marley (2003). [http://aiwg.gsfc.nasa.gov/esappdocs/RPC/RPC_Workshop_Architecture_Framework.ppt Architectural Framework]. NASA /SCI. Retrieved 10 Dec 2008.</ref>]]

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}

'''The Open Group Architecture Framework''' ('''TOGAF&reg;''') is a [[Enterprise Architecture framework|framework]] for [[enterprise architecture]] which provides a comprehensive approach for designing, planning, implementation, and governance of an enterprise [[information architecture]]. TOGAF is a registered trademark of The Open Group in the United States and other countries.

[[File:TOGAF ADM.jpg|thumb|Structure of the TOGAF Architecture Development Method (ADM).<ref name="SM03">Stephen Marley (2003). "Architectural Framework," at aiwg.gsfc.nasa.gov, NASA /SCI. Retrieved 10 December 2008 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20090320230522/http://aiwg.gsfc.nasa.gov/esappdocs/RPC/RPC_Workshop_Architecture_Framework.ppt webarchive.org]).</ref>]]

<ref>[http://blog.opengroup.org/2011/02/08/togaf%C2%AE-trademark-success/ TOGAF Trademark]</ref>

'''The Open Group Architecture Framework''' ('''TOGAF''') is the most used [[Enterprise Architecture framework|framework]] for [[enterprise architecture]] as of 2020<ref>N. Dedic, "FEAMI: A Methodology to include and to integrate Enterprise Architecture Processes into Existing Organizational Processes," in IEEE Engineering Management Review, doi: 10.1109/EMR.2020.3031968.</ref> that provides an approach for designing, planning, implementing, and governing an enterprise information technology architecture.<ref>Dirk Draheim, Gerald Weber eds. (2007) ''Trends in Enterprise Application Architecture: 2nd International Conference, TEAA 2006, Berlin, Germany, 29 November – 1 December 2006, Revised Selected Papers''. p. 260</ref> TOGAF is a high-level approach to design. It is typically modeled at four levels: Business, Application, Data, and Technology. It relies heavily on modularization, standardization, and already existing, proven technologies and products.

TOGAF began to be developed in 1995 by [[The Open Group]], based on the [[United States Department of Defense]]'s [[TAFIM]] and [[Capgemini]]'s [[Integrated Architecture Framework]] (IAF).<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VZLUNrvjdcYC&q=IAF%2C+TOGAF&pg=PA157|title = The Integrated Architecture Framework Explained: Why, What, How|isbn = 9783642115189|last1 = Wout|first1 = Jack van't|last2 = Waage|first2 = Maarten|last3 = Hartman|first3 = Herman|last4 = Stahlecker|first4 = Max|last5 = Hofman|first5 = Aaldert|date = 17 June 2010| publisher=Springer }}</ref> As of 2016, The Open Group claims that TOGAF is employed by 80% of [[Dow Jones Global Titans 50|Global 50]] companies and 60% of [[Fortune 500]] companies.

TOGAF is a high level and holistic approach to design, which is typically modeled at four levels: Business, Application, Data, and Technology. It tries to give a well-tested overall starting model to information architects, which can then be built upon. It relies heavily on modularization, standardization and already existing, proven technologies and products.

== Overview ==

An [[architecture framework]] is a set of tools whichthat can be used for developing a broad range of different architectures.<ref>[http://www.opengroup.org/architecture/togaf8-doc/arch/ TOGAF Introduction] The Open Group Architecture Framework. Accessed 22 JanJanuary 2009.</ref> It should:

* describe a method for defining an information system in terms of a set of building blocks

* show how the building blocks fit together

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* provide a common vocabulary

* include a list of recommended standards

* include a list of compliant products that can be used to implement the building blocks.

TOGAF is such an architecture framework.

The [[ANSI]]/[[IEEE]] Standard [[IEEE 1471|1471-2000]] specification of architecture (of software-intensive systems) may be stated as: "the fundamental organization of a system, embodied in its components, their relationships to each other and the environment, and the principles governing its design and evolution.".

However TOGAF has its own view, which may be specified as either a "formal description of a system, or a detailed plan of the system at component level to guide its implementation", or as "the structure of components, their interrelationships, and the principles and guidelines governing their design and evolution over time."{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}.

The Architecture Development Method (ADM) is the core of TOGAF which describes a method for developing and managing the life-cycle of enterprise architecture.

== History ==

[[File:DoD Standards-Based Architecture Planning Process.jpg|thumb|210px|DoD Standards-Based Architecture Planning Process in [[TAFIM]].<ref name = "DoD96V4">Department of Defense (1996). ''Technical Architecture Framework for Information Management. Vol. 4''. April 1996</ref>]]

TOGAF haswas beeninitiated developed byin the Architectureearly Forum1990s as methodology for the development of technical architecture, and has been developed by [[The Open Group]] andinto continuouslyan evolvedextensive since[[enterprise thearchitecture mid-1990sframework]].<ref>[[Marc Lankhorst]] (2013) ''Enterprise Architecture at Work: Modelling, Communication and Analysis'' p. 23</ref> In 1995, the first version of TOGAF Version(TOGAF 1.0) was presented,. whichThis version was "mainly based on the [[Technical Architecture Framework for Information Management]] (TAFIM)., Thedevelopment [[USstarted Departmentin ofthe Defense]]late gave The Open Group explicit permission and encouragement to create TOGAF1980s by building on the TAFIM,[[US which itself was the resultDepartment of many years of development effort and many millions of dollars of US Government investment".<ref>[http://www.opengroup.org/architecture/togaf9-doc/arch/ Welcome to TOGAF Version 9 -- The Open Group Architecture FrameworkDefense]] Accessed 03 Feb 2009.</ref>

In December 2001 TOGAF 7, the ("Technical Edition"), was published.<ref>[[Jaap Schekkerman]] (2003) ''How to Survive in Decemberthe 2001,Jungle of Enterprise Architecture''. p. 119</ref> TOGAF 8 ("Enterprise Edition") was first published in December 2002 and republished in updated form as TOGAF 8.1 in December 2003. Around 2005 TOGAF became a registered trademark of [[The Open Group]].<ref>Tom van Sante, whichHans wasVan updatedDen inBent (2007) ''Togaf the Open Group Architectural Framework: A Management Guide''. p. iv</ref> In November 2006 asthe Open Group released TOGAF 8.1.1. According to The Open Group, as of February 2011, over 15,000 individuals are TOGAF Certified.<ref><[https://togaf9-cert.opengroup.org/home-public</ref><ref>[http://blog.opengroup.org/2011/02/08/togaf%C2%AE-trademark-success/ 15,000 certifications]</ref> As of April 2018 the official register has over 77,500 certifications.<ref>[https://togaf9-cert.opengroup.org/certified-individuals Directory of Certified People]</ref>

According to The Open Group as of February 2011 there are over 15,000 [http://www.opengroup.org/togaf9/cert/cert_archlist-short.tpl TOGAF Certified] individuals <ref>[http://blog.opengroup.org/2011/02/08/togaf%C2%AE-trademark-success/ 15,000 certifications]</ref>.

The latest version is TOGAF 9, launched on 2 February 2009. An evolutionary development from TOGAF 8, TOGAF 9 includes many new features includingsuch as:<ref>{{cite web

| url =http://pubs.opengroup.org/architecture/togaf9-doc/arch/chap04.html#tag_04_01

* Increased rigor including a formal Content Metamodel that links the artifacts of TOGAF together

| title =What's New in TOGAF 9?

* Elimination of unnecessary differences

| date =2009

* Many more examples and templates.

| publisher =[[The Open Group]]

| access-date = 13 January 2017

}}</ref><ref>{{cite web

| last = Veryard

| first = Richard

| title = TOGAF 9

| url = https://rvsoapbox.blogspot.com/2009/02/togaf-9.html

| date = 2009

| access-date = 13 January 2017}}</ref>

* Increased rigor, including a formal Content Metamodel that links the artifacts of TOGAF together (although there are some problems with the Metamodel)<ref>Gerber A; Van der Merwe, A; Kotze, P: 2010. Towards the Formalisation of the TOGAF Content Metamodel using Ontologies. To appear in: Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Enterprise Information Systems (ICEIS 2010). INSTICC</ref>

* Architecture repository and the Enterprise Continuum

* Elimination of unnecessary differences, and many more examples and templates

Additional guidelines and techniques include:{{Citation needed|date=January 2012}}

* A formal business-driven approach to architecture scoping and segmentation

* A formal business-driven approach to architecture

* Business capability-based planning

* Guidance on how to use TOGAF to develop Securitysecurity Architecturesarchitectures and SOAs[[Service-oriented architecture|SOA]]

The latest version is TOGAF 10, launched on 25 April 2022.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.opengroup.org/open-group-announces-launch-togaf-standard-10th-edition | title=The Open Group Announces Launch of the TOGAF® Standard, 10th Edition | date=25 April 2022 }}</ref>

[[The Open Group]] provides TOGAF free of charge to organizations for their own internal noncommercial purposes.<ref name="togaf9dl">The Open Group (2011). TOGAF® Version 9 - Download. Architecture Forum. Retrieved on 17 November 2011 from http://www.opengroup.org/architecture/togaf9/downloads.htm.</ref>

== TOGAF pillars ==

[[The Open Group]] provides TOGAF free of charge to organizations for their own internal noncommercial purposes.<ref>[http://www.opengroup.org/architecture/togaf9/downloads.htm TOGAF® Version 9 - Download] Accessed 17 Nov 2011.</ref>

== TOGAF topics ==

=== Enterprise architecture domains ===

TOGAF is based on four pillars,interrelated areas of specialization called [[architecture ___domain]]s:

* [[Business architecture]] or business process architecture which defines the business strategy, governance, organization, and key business processes of the organization

* [[Applications architecture]] which provides a blueprint for the individual application systems to be deployed, the interactions between the application systems, and their relationships to the core business processes of the organization with the frameworks for services to be exposed as business functions for integration.

* [[Data architecture]] which describes the structure of an organization's logical and physical data assets and the associated data management resources

* [[Applications architecture]] which provides a blueprint for the individual systems to be deployed, the interactions between the application systems, and their relationships to the core business processes of the organization with the frameworks for services to be exposed as business functions for integration

* [[Technical architecture]] or ''technology architecture'' which describes the hardware, software and network infrastructure needed to support the deployment of core, mission-critical applications

* [[Technical architecture]], or ''technology architecture,'' which describes the hardware, software, and network infrastructure needed to support the deployment of core, mission-critical applications

=== Architecture Development Method ===

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=== Enterprise Continuum ===

The Enterprise Continuum mayis a way of classifying solutions beand viewedarchitectures ason a continuum "virtualthat repository"range (asfrom ofgeneric TOGAFfoundation 9architectures thisthrough isto nottailored virtualorganization-specific anyboth more)within ofand alloutside the Architecture Repository.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pubs.opengroup.org/architecture/togaf91-doc/arch/chap39.html assets|title=Enterprise availableContinuum to|website=The anOpen organization.Group |access-date=4 January 2014}}</ref> These include architectural models, architectural patterns, architecture descriptions, and other artifacts. These artifacts may exist within the enterprise and also in the IT industry at large.

The Enterprise Continuum consists of both the Architecture Continuum and the Solutions Continuum. The Architecture Continuum specifies the structuring of reusable architecture assets, and includes rules, representations, and relationships of the information system(s)systems available to the enterprise. The Solutions Continuum describes the implementation of the Architecture Continuum by defining reusable solutionsSolution buildingBuilding blocksBlocks (SBBs).

=== TOGAF Certified Tools =Certification==

TOGAF provides certifications for tools and people.

=== TOGAF certified tools ===

The Open Group has a certification program for TOGAF 8 Tools, and as of early 2011 plans to extend that to cover TOGAF 9 Tools.

Certified TOGAF 9 tools are listed in the following table.

For the latest register of certified tools see The Open Group register <ref>[http://www.opengroup.org/togaf/cert/select_prod.tpl?tools=Y The Open Group Certification Register]</ref>.

{| class="wikitable sortable"

== Alternative enterprise architecture frameworks ==

|+

* [[AGATE (architecture framework)|AGATE]] French Délégation Générale pour l'Armement Atelier de Gestion de l'ArchiTEcture des systèmes d'information et de communication.

!Product Name

* [[ArchiMate]] an open and independent modelling language for enterprise architecture

!Company

* [[ARCON]] - A Reference Architecture for Collaborative Networks - not focused on a single enterprise but rather on networks of enterprises <ref name="ARCON00">L.M. Camarinha-Matos, H. Afsarmanesh, Collaborative Networks: Reference Modeling, Springer, 2008.</ref><ref name="ARCON01">L.M. Camarinha-Matos, H. Afsarmanesh, On reference models for collaborative networked organizations, International Journal Production Research, Vol 46, Nº 9, May 2008, pp 2453–2469.</ref>

!First Certified

* [[DoDAF]] United States Department of Defense Architectural Framework.

!Renewal

* [http://www.csc.com/delivery_excellence/ds/11388-csc_catalyst CSC Catalyst] CSC Catalyst

!TOGAF Version

* [[DYA framework]] Sogeti Framework.

|-

* [[European Interoperability Framework|EIF]] European Interoperability Framework - Enterprise architecture at the level of [[European Union|EU]] [[Member State of the European Union|Member States]]

|ABACUS 6.0

* [[IDABC]] Interoperable Delivery (of European egovernment services to public) Administrations, Business and Citizens

|Avolution

* [[Integrated Architecture Framework]] (IAF) created by [[Capgemini]].

|23-May-2012

* [[FEA]] United States Office of Management and Budget Federal Enterprise Architecture.

|22-May-2022

* [[MIKE2.0 Methodology|MIKE2.0 (Method for an Integrated Knowledge Environment)]] which includes an enterprise architecture framework called [[MIKE2.0_Methodology#SAFE_Architecture|SAFE (Strategic Architecture for the Federated Enterprise)]]

|9.2

* [[MODAF]] United Kingdom Ministry of Defence Architectural Framework.

|-

* [[Model-driven architecture]] (MDA) Object Management Group's Model Driven Architecture.

|[[BiZZdesign Enterprise Studio]]

* [[OBASHI]] (The OBASHI Business & IT methodology and framework.

|[[BiZZdesign]]

* [http://pro-mis.com/framework.html PROMIS Framework] The PROMIS Enterprise Architecture Framework integrated into the EA tool EVA Netmodeler

|18-Jul-2012

* [[Sherwood Applied Business Security Architecture|SABSA]] a comprehensive framework for Enterprise Security Architecture and Service Management.

|17-Jul-2020

* [[SAP Enterprise Architecture Framework]] is extension of TOGAF to better support [[Commercial off-the-shelf]] and [[Service-Oriented Architecture]]

|9.2

* [[Zachman Framework]] IBM Framework from the 1980s.

|-

|ADOIT

|BOC Group

|15-Sep-2017

|14-Sep-2021

|9.1

|-

|HOPEX Enterprise Architecture Suite

|[[MEGA International Srl.|MEGA International]]

|26-May-2015

|26-May-2021

|9.1

|-

|iServer Business and IT Transformation Suite 2015

|Orbus Software

|19-Aug-2013

|18-Aug-2021

|9.1

|-

|Capability and Technology Management

|[[Planview]]

|03-Apr-2012

|02-Apr-2022

|9.1

|-

|Alfabet

|[[Software AG]]

|22-Jun-2012

|21-Jun-2022

|9.2

|-

|[[ARIS Express|ARIS]] 9.0

|[[Software AG]]

|19-Nov-2013

|18-Nov-2021

|9.1

|-

|[[Enterprise Architect (software)|Enterprise Architect]] 12

|[[Sparx Systems|Sparx Systems Pty Ltd.]]

|06-Feb-2015

|05-Feb-2021

|9.1

|}

For the latest register of certified tools refer to The Open Group register.<ref>[https://training.opengroup.org/tool-register/togaf/ TOGAF® Certified Tools Register]</ref>

== References ==

{{Reflist|2}}

===Qualifications===

{{Refimprove|date=December 2008}}

The Open Group oversees formal qualifications in TOGAF at two levels, which can be taken following formal training or self-study.<ref name="TOGAF Certifications">{{cite web |url=http://www.opengroup.org/togaf9/cert/docs/indiv.html |title=TOGAF 9 Certification |website=The Open Group |access-date=11 January 2014}}</ref> Learners can undertake these qualifications through training companies.

====Foundation (Level I)====

Ensures that an individual understands Enterprise Architecture along with core concepts and terminology of TOGAF.<ref name="TOGAF Certifications" />

====Certified (Level II)====

Further to the Foundation qualification, this establishes that the candidate is able to analyse and apply their knowledge to business problems.<ref name="TOGAF Certifications" />

Gaining TOGAF Certified status automatically confers free membership of the Association of Enterprise Architects.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.opengroup.org/togaf/cert/docs/faq.html |title=TOGAF Certification FAQ |website=The Open Group |access-date=11 January 2014}}</ref>

== Criticism ==

Despite TOGAF being considered as the de facto standard in an [[enterprise architecture]] (EA) practice, it is not without its critics:

* Real examples demonstrating the actual practical usage of TOGAF's recommendations are missing: "There is a pressing need for some detailed worked examples and use cases. Although these were requested, they were not forthcoming from TOGAF trainers or The Open Group".<ref name="JISC">Anderson, P., Backhouse, G., Townsend, J., Hedges, M. and Hobson, P. (2009). ''Doing Enterprise Architecture: Enabling the Agile Institution''. Bristol, United Kingdom: Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC).</ref>

* Enterprise architecture practitioners report that TOGAF can hardly be followed step-by-step: "Our initial assumptions about TOGAF were that it would be a sort of 'methodology' that we could follow to produce our {{abbr|EA|enterprise architecture}}, however this turned out not to be the case".<ref name="JISC" />

* Detailed analysis demonstrates that TOGAF-based enterprise architecture practices do not resemble the original TOGAF prescriptions in any real sense.<ref>Kotusev, S. (2018) TOGAF-Based Enterprise Architecture Practice: An Exploratory Case Study, ''Communications of the Association for Information Systems'', Vol. 43, No. 1, pp. 321-359.</ref>

* TOGAF's prescriptions are vague and inarticulate since it "only states that the ADM should be adapted without specifying how".<ref>Winter, K., Buckl, S., Matthes, F. and Schweda, C. M. (2010). ''Investigating the State-of-the-Art in Enterprise Architecture Management Methods in Literature and Practice''. In: Sansonetti, A., ed. Proceedings of the 4th Mediterranean Conference on Information Systems, Tel Aviv, Israel.</ref>

* Jason Bloomberg argues that "for many organizations, TOGAF has gained traction simply because it’s better than doing nothing".<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonbloomberg/2014/08/07/enterprise-architecture-dont-be-a-fool-with-a-tool/#37025dfd45f1 "Enterprise Architecture: Don't Be a Fool with a Tool"], Jason Bloomberg, visited 19 May 2016</ref>

* The changes introduced in TOGAF v9.2 did not address the fundamental problems of the mechanistic planning approach advocated by TOGAF and other previous step-by-step architecture methodologies including [[Enterprise architecture planning]] (EAP) and [[Business system planning]] (BSP).<ref>[https://www.bcs.org/articles-opinion-and-research/togaf-version-92-whats-new/ "TOGAF Version 9.2: What's New?"], Kotusev, S., June 2018</ref>

* The recent changes introduced in the TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition only "reinforce its purely symbolic status in the EA discipline as something actively discussed, but lacking any substance".<ref>Kotusev, S. (2023) “The TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition: What's New?”, Melbourne, Australia: SK Publishing.</ref>

* Historical analysis shows that TOGAF's astonishing popularity can be considered as purely accidental and attributed solely to its effective promotion at the right time period.<ref>Kotusev, S. (2018) TOGAF: Just the Next Fad That Turned into a New Religion, In: ''TOGAF Is Not an {{abbr|EA|enterprise architecture}} Framework: The Inconvenient Pragmatic Truth'', K.L. Smith (ed.). Great Notley, UK: Pragmatic EA Ltd, pp. 27-40.</ref>

== References ==

{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

{{commons category|TOGAF}}

*{{official|http://www.togaf.info/}}

*[http{{Official website|https://www.opengroup.org/architecture/togaf9-doc/arch/ TOGAF 9 Online]togaf}}

*[http://wwwpubs.opengroup.org/architecture/togaf8togaf9-doc/arch/ TOGAF 89.1.12 Online]

*[http://pubs.opengroup.org/architecture/togaf8-doc/arch/ TOGAF 8.1.1 Online]

*[http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/ibm/library/ar-togaf1/ IBM developerWorks: Understand The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF) and IT architecture in today's world] (February 2006)

*[http://www.developer.com/design/article.php/3374171 Developer.com: TOGAF: Establishing Itself As the Definitive Method for Building Enterprise Architectures in the Commercial World] (June 2004)

*[http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/rational/library/jan07/temnenco/index.html TOGAF or not TOGAF: Extending Enterprise Architecture beyond RUP] (January 2007)

*[http://togaforblunder.blogspot.com/ Practical advice: How to bring TOGAF to life] (October 2007)

{{Open Group standards}}

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