The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF®)

The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF®) is an open standard for designing, planning, implementing and governing enterprise architecture. It provides a shared method, vocabulary and collection of practices rather than a ready-made architecture for a particular organisation.

When to use it

Use TOGAF to align business operations and technology with current and future objectives. The enterprise architecture acts as a governed blueprint for processes, information, applications and infrastructure. The classic model examines four connected domains:

Business architecture:

capabilities, governance and key processes.

Data architecture:

data assets and the resources used to manage them.

Applications architecture:

application systems, their interactions and their support for business processes.

Technology architecture:

software, hardware and network infrastructure.

Data and applications are sometimes grouped as information-systems architecture. The domains should be developed together because decisions in one create constraints and opportunities in the others.

Origins

TOGAF was first published in 1995 and drew on the United States Department of Defense Technical Architecture Framework for Information Management. The Open Group—an industry consortium that develops standards, certification and shared practice—has maintained the framework through successive public editions.

What it is

The original 1995 framework evolved substantially while retaining its focus on a repeatable architecture-development method. The article’s historic reference point is version 9.1 as of December 2011; practitioners should consult The Open Group for the edition applicable to current work rather than treating that version as current.