The Open Group OGEA-103 - TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Combined Part 1 and Part 2 Exam

The chart shown is a Gantt chart, which is commonly used for project management to illustrate a project schedule. In the context of TOGAF (The Open Group Architecture Framework), which is a framework for enterprise architecture, this Gantt chart is demonstrating the sequenced approach to the Architecture Development Method (ADM). The ADM is the core process of TOGAF which provides a tested and repeatable process for developing architectures. The ADM is described as being iterative, over the whole process, between phases, and within phases. For each iteration of the ADM, a fresh decision must be taken about each of the parameters (scope, granularity, time period, and architecture assets).

The ADM consists of a number of phases that have to be followed in sequence:

Preliminary Phase: Framework and principles

Phase A: Architecture Vision

Phase B: Business Architecture

Phase C: Information Systems Architectures, including Data and Application Architectures

Phase D: Technology Architecture

Phase E: Opportunities and Solutions

Phase F: Migration Planning

Phase G: Implementation Governance

Phase H: Architecture Change Management

Requirements Management

Each phase is dependent on the outputs of the previous phase and the Requirements Management phase runs throughout. The Gantt chart clearly shows the dependency and sequence in which these phases occur, implying that a structured approach is followed to produce the enterprise architecture.

The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2, a standard of The Open Group

The TOGAF documentation available at https://publications.opengroup.org/standards/architecture and https://publications.opengroup.org/guides/architecture

The Preliminary Phase is the preparatory phase of the Architecture Development Method (ADM) cycle, which sets the context and direction for the architecture work. One of the objectives of this phase is to select and implement tools to support the Architecture Capability, which is the ability of an organization to perform enterprise architecture effectively and efficiently. Tools can include software applications, methods, techniques, standards, and frameworks that assist the architecture development and governance processes. The selection and implementation of tools should be based on the requirements and constraints of the organization, and the alignment with the Architecture Principles and the Architecture Vision3 References: 3: The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2, Part II: Architecture Development Method (ADM), Chapter 6: Preliminary Phase : The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2, Part VI: Architecture Capability Framework, Chapter 45: Establishing and Maintaining an Enterprise Architecture Capability : The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2, Part VI: Architecture Capability Framework, Chapter 46: Tools for Architecture Development

According to the TOGAF standard, the deliverables that match the descriptions are as follows:

1 Architecture Principles: These are general rules and guidelines, intended to be enduring and seldom amended, that inform and support the way in which an organization sets about fulfilling its mission1. They reflect a level of consensus among the various elements of the enterprise, and form the basis for making future IT decisions1.

2 Architecture Contracts: These are the joint agreements between development partners and sponsors on the deliverables, quality, and fitness-for-purpose of an architecture2. They are used to ensure that the architecture is implemented and governed according to the agreed-upon specifications and standards2.

3 Request for Architecture Work: This is a document that is sent from the sponsoring organization to the architecture organization to trigger the start of an architecture development cycle3. It defines the scope, schedule, budget, deliverables, and stakeholders of the architecture project3.

4 Architecture Requirements Specification: This is a set of quantitative statements that outline what an implementation project must do in order to comply with the architecture4. It defines the requirements for each architecture domain, as well as the relationships and dependencies among them4.

 1: Architecture Principles 2: Architecture Contracts 3: Request for Architecture Work 4: Architecture Requirements Specification

According to the TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition, an architecture contract is “a formal agreement between a service provider and a service consumer that defines the mutual commitments and expectations for the delivery of an architecture” 1. An architecture contract is a governed approach of a particular deliverable that will ensure adherence to the principles, standards, and requirements of the existing or developing architectures, as it specifies the roles, responsibilities, deliverables, quality criteria, and acceptance criteria for the architecture work 1. The other options are not correct, as they are not governed approaches of a particular deliverable, but rather different types of deliverables within the architecture development process. An architecture vision is “a high-level, aspirational view of the target architecture” 1. A statement of architecture work is “a document that defines the scope and approach that will be used to complete an architecture project” 1. An architecture definition document is “a document that describes the baseline and target architectures for one or more domains” 1. References: 1: TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition, Part I: Introduction, Chapter 3: Definitions.

According to the TOGAF standard, the need for the ADM process to be governed is to ensure that the architecture development and implementation activities are conducted in a consistent, coherent, and compliant manner1. Governance provides the means to verify that the method is being applied correctly and effectively, and that the architecture deliverables and artifacts meet the quality and standards criteria1. Governance also enables the management of risks, issues, changes, and dependencies that may arise during the ADM process1.

Some of the benefits of governing the ADM process are2:

•Improved alignment of the architecture with the business strategy and objectives

•Enhanced stakeholder engagement and communication

•Increased reuse and integration of architecture assets and resources

•Reduced complexity and duplication of architecture efforts

•Increased agility and adaptability of the architecture to changing needs and requirements

•Improved compliance and auditability of the architecture outcomes and outputs

According to the TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition, the Preliminary Phase of the Architecture Development Method (ADM) has the purpose to develop an Enterprise Architecture Capability 1. An Enterprise Architecture Capability is the ability of the organization to perform the activities and tasks related to Enterprise Architecture, such as defining the scope, principles, vision, governance, and stakeholders of the architecture. The Preliminary Phase also establishes the architecture framework, the architecture repository, the architecture tools, and the architecture team 1. The other options are not correct, as they have different purposes in the ADM. Phase G: Implementation Governance has the purpose to ensure that the implementation projects conform to the target architecture 2. Phase A: Architecture Vision has the purpose to define the scope, stakeholders, business drivers, and objectives of the architecture project 3. Phase B: Business Architecture has the purpose to describe the baseline and target business architecture, and to identify the gaps between them . References: 1: TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition, Part II: Architecture Development Method, Chapter 6: Preliminary Phase. 2: TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition, Part II: Architecture Development Method, Chapter 18: Phase G: Implementation Governance. 3: TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition, Part II: Architecture Development Method, Chapter 12: Phase A: Architecture Vision. : TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition, Part II: Architecture Development Method, Chapter 13: Phase B: Business Architecture.

The Architecture Requirements Repository stores all the requirements that are output of the architecture development cycle, as well as the requirements that are input to the architecture development cycle1. The Architecture Requirements Repository includes the following types of requirements1:

•Stakeholder Requirements: These are the high-level requirements and expectations of the stakeholders, derived from the business drivers, goals, and objectives. They are captured and refined in the Architecture Vision phase and the Requirements Management phase.

•Architecture Requirements: These are the detailed requirements that specify what the architecture must do or deliver to meet the stakeholder requirements. They are derived and refined in the Business, Information Systems, and Technology Architecture phases.

•Implementation and Migration Requirements: These are the detailed requirements that specify what the implementation and migration projects must do or deliver to realize the architecture. They are derived and refined in the Opportunities and Solutions and Migration Planning phases.

The Architecture Requirements Repository is used to manage the architecture requirements throughout the architecture lifecycle, ensuring their traceability, consistency, and compliance1. The Architecture Board is the authority that reviews and approves the architecture requirements, as well as the architecture deliverables and artifacts, as part of the architecture governance process2.

This statement best supports the need to govern Enterprise Architecture. Best practice governance enables the organization to control value realization by ensuring that architectures are aligned with the enterprise’s strategy and objectives, meet the quality and performance requirements, and deliver the expected benefits and outcomes. The Architecture Project does not mandate the governance of the target architecture, but rather follows the governance framework established by the enterprise. The TOGAF standard can be used without executive governance, but it is recommended that executive sponsorship and support are obtained for successful architecture development and transition. The Stakeholders preferences may go beyond the architecture project scope and need control, but this is not the primary reason for governing Enterprise Architecture. Reference: The TOGAF® Standard | The Open Group Website, Section 3.3.6 Architecture Governance.