Mapping TOGAF ADM Phases to the ArchiMate Framework

The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF) and ArchiMate are two of the most widely used frameworks in enterprise architecture. TOGAF provides a structured approach to developing and managing enterprise architecture through its Architecture Development Method (ADM), while ArchiMate offers a comprehensive modeling language for describing enterprise architectures. This article explores how the phases of the TOGAF ADM map to the layers and aspects of the ArchiMate framework, providing a holistic view of enterprise architecture development.

Introduction to TOGAF ADM

TOGAF ADM is a cyclical process that consists of several phases, each focusing on different aspects of enterprise architecture development. The phases are:

1. Preliminary Phase: Establishes the architecture framework and principles.
2. Architecture Vision: Defines the scope, stakeholders, and objectives.
3. Business Architecture: Develops the business architecture.
4. Information Systems Architectures: Develops the data and application architectures.
5. Technology Architecture: Develops the technology architecture.
6. Opportunities and Solutions: Identifies and implements change initiatives.
7. Migration Planning: Plans the migration to the target architecture.
8. Implementation Governance: Governs the implementation of the architecture.
9. Architecture Change Management: Manages changes to the architecture.

Introduction to ArchiMate

ArchiMate is a modeling language that provides a visual representation of enterprise architectures. It consists of several layers and aspects:

• Layers:
  • Business Layer
  • Application Layer
  • Technology Layer
• Aspects:
  • Passive Structure
  • Behavior
  • Active Structure
  • Motivation (spans across all layers)

Mapping TOGAF ADM Phases to ArchiMate Layers and Aspects

Preliminary Phase

The Preliminary Phase in TOGAF ADM sets the stage for the architecture development process. It involves establishing the architecture framework, principles, and governance structures. In ArchiMate, this phase corresponds to the Motivation aspect, which spans across all layers. The motivation aspect includes elements like goals, drivers, and principles that guide the architecture development.

Example: Defining the enterprise’s vision and mission, establishing architecture principles, and setting up the architecture governance board.

Architecture Vision

The Architecture Vision phase defines the scope, stakeholders, and objectives of the architecture development. This phase maps to the Motivation aspect in ArchiMate, as it involves setting the goals and drivers for the architecture. It also touches on the Business Layer as it defines the business context and stakeholders.

Example: Creating a vision statement, identifying key stakeholders, and defining the business objectives for the architecture.

Business Architecture

The Business Architecture phase focuses on developing the business architecture, which includes business processes, organizational structures, and business services. This phase maps to the Business Layer in ArchiMate, covering the passive structure (business objects), behavior (business processes), and active structure (business actors).

Example: Modeling the business processes for order management, defining the organizational structure, and identifying business services.

Information Systems Architectures

The Information Systems Architectures phase develops the data and application architectures. This phase maps to the Application Layer in ArchiMate, covering the passive structure (data objects), behavior (application functions), and active structure (application components).

Example: Designing the data model for customer information, defining application functions for customer relationship management (CRM), and identifying application components.

Technology Architecture

The Technology Architecture phase develops the technology architecture, which includes the hardware, software, and network infrastructure. This phase maps to the Technology Layer in ArchiMate, covering the passive structure (technology objects), behavior (technology functions), and active structure (technology components).

Example: Defining the network infrastructure, identifying technology components like servers and databases, and designing the technology functions for data storage and retrieval.

Opportunities and Solutions

The Opportunities and Solutions phase identifies and implements change initiatives. This phase maps to the Implementation & Migration aspect in ArchiMate, which involves planning and executing the migration to the target architecture.

Example: Identifying opportunities for process improvement, selecting technology solutions, and planning the implementation of new applications.

Migration Planning

The Migration Planning phase plans the migration to the target architecture. This phase also maps to the Implementation & Migration aspect in ArchiMate, focusing on the transition from the current state to the future state.

Example: Creating a migration plan, defining transition architectures, and planning the phased implementation of the target architecture.

Implementation Governance

The Implementation Governance phase governs the implementation of the architecture. This phase maps to the Motivation aspect in ArchiMate, as it involves ensuring that the implementation aligns with the architecture principles and goals.

Example: Establishing governance processes, monitoring the implementation progress, and ensuring compliance with architecture principles.

Architecture Change Management

The Architecture Change Management phase manages changes to the architecture. This phase maps to the Motivation aspect in ArchiMate, as it involves managing changes to ensure that the architecture remains aligned with the business goals and principles.

Example: Establishing a change management process, evaluating the impact of changes, and updating the architecture documentation.

Conclusion

Mapping the TOGAF ADM phases to the ArchiMate framework provides a comprehensive view of enterprise architecture development. The Preliminary Phase and Architecture Vision phases map to the Motivation aspect, setting the stage for the architecture development. The Business Architecture, Information Systems Architectures, and Technology Architecture phases map to the Business, Application, and Technology layers, respectively, covering the passive structure, behavior, and active structure aspects. The Opportunities and Solutions, Migration Planning, Implementation Governance, and Architecture Change Management phases map to the Implementation & Migration aspect and the Motivation aspect, focusing on the transition to the target architecture and ensuring alignment with the architecture principles and goals.

By understanding this mapping, enterprise architects can leverage the strengths of both TOGAF and ArchiMate to develop and manage enterprise architectures effectively.

References

1. What is ArchiMate?
   • ArchiMate provides tools to help enterprise architects describe, analyze, and visualize the relationships between different architecture domains in a clear and unambiguous way. It is an international, vendor-independent standard of The Open Group, which prevents lock-in to vendor-specific tools and frameworks. The ArchiMate Forum of The Open Group provides active support1.
2. Full ArchiMate Viewpoints Guide (Examples Included)
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3. ArchiMate Diagram Tutorial
   • The ArchiMate Specification is a modeling language that enables enterprise architects to describe, analyze, and visualize relationships among architecture domains using easy-to-understand visual representations. This tutorial covers what an ArchiMate diagram is, how to create one, and when to use it, including examples and tips3.
4. Best ArchiMate Software
   • Visual Paradigm’s ArchiMate modeling tools are certified by The Open Group and support the vocabulary, notation, syntax, and semantics of ArchiMate 3.1. These tools help enterprise architects and modelers create professional enterprise architecture blueprints and collaborate effectively4.
5. ArchiMate diagram in Visual Paradigm
   • This resource teaches how to create and draw an ArchiMate diagram in Visual Paradigm. It includes instructions on migrating work from Archi to Visual Paradigm and importing OpenGroup ArchiMate Model Exchange Files5.
6. Free Online ArchiMate Diagram Tool
   • Visual Paradigm Online offers a free online ArchiMate diagram tool that supports the notation and syntax of the ArchiMate 3 visual modeling language. It provides examples and templates to help users get started with creating ArchiMate diagrams online6.
7. ArchiMate examples – Visual Paradigm Blog
   • This article presents a collection of ArchiMate example views organized into a layered framework following the ArchiMate standard. These examples demonstrate how ArchiMate elements can be used and serve as design patterns. The examples are created with Visual Paradigm Online and based on the ArchiMate Cookbook7.
8. Chapter 7. ArchiMate – Visual Paradigm Community Circle
   • ArchiMate is The Open Group’s open and independent modeling language for enterprise architecture, supported by various tool vendors and consulting firms. It provides a clear set of concepts within and relationships between architecture domains, offering a uniform structure for describing the contents of these domains8.
9. What is ArchiMate? How to Draw ArchiMate Diagram?
   • This tutorial walks through the process of drawing an ArchiMate diagram focusing on the business process viewpoint, using Visual Paradigm Enterprise. It discusses how ArchiMate provides a visual language to model and capture enterprise architecture, helping to visualize relationships within and between different domains9.
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