TOGAF 9 has been announced at the Open Group 21st Enterprise Architecture Practitioners conference in San Diego. The Open Group, a vendor- and technology-neutral consortium, in early February delivered TOGAF 9, an enterprise architecture framework.

TOGAF 9 introduces significant enhancements to the previous version of the standard and represents a departure for enterprise architecture frameworks in general. It’s larger, more mature, and modular to allow people to enter it from a variety of perspectives. It takes on a much more significant business services and accomplishments perspective.  TOGAF 9 includes new material, describes more topics, like capability-based planning, security architecture and SOA. The new Architecture Content Framework includes a detailed content meta-model that formalizes the definition of an enterprise architecture (EA) and also establishes clear links between business and IT objects. It also show in detail how the Architecture Development Method (ADM ) is considering other It governance domains such as Risk management, Operations management, Project and Portfolio management. In general more attention is given to business issues and business alignment.

TOGAF 9 is an evolution of TOGAF 8 and has been designed for greater usability. It is more focused on holistic enterprise change and provides more consistency of outputs. In all areas, the specification adds detail and clarity above and beyond previous TOGAF versions.

What’s new in TOGAF 9?

q Modular Structure

TOGAF allows for the concepts in each part to be developed with limited impacts on other parts. The modular structure in TOGAF is intended to support greater usability, as each part has a defined purpose and can be read in isolation as a stand-alone set of guidelines.

q Content Framework

This is a significant addition to TOGAF. The TOGAF content framework provides a detailed model of architectural work products, including deliverables, artifacts within deliverables, and the architectural building blocks that artifacts represent.

·     It provides a comprehensive checklist of architecture outputs

·     It promotes better integration of work products if adopted across an enterprise

·     It provides a detailed open standard for how architectures should be described

q Extended Guidance on Adopting TOGAF within an Enterprise

This version of TOGAF features an extended set of concepts and guidelines to support the establishment of an integrated hierarchy of architectures being developed by teams that operate within an overarching architectural governance model. In particular, the following concepts are introduced:

• Partitioning

·     This abstracts away from the specific rows and columns of the Zachman matrix, while retaining the underlying principle of articulating different architectural views and domains in a systematic manner.

 ·     The Architecture Repository is a logical information store for outputs of executing the ADM:

·     The Architecture Metamodel describes the architecture framework in use within the Enterprise

·     The Architecture Landscape shows the state of the operating Enterprise at particular points in time

·     The Reference Library contains re-usable architecture work products

·     The Standards Information Base defines the compliance criteria for work governed by architecture

·     The Governance Log captures results of governance activity, such as compliance assessments

·     The Architecture Capability describes the organisation, roles, skills and responsibilities of the Enterprise Architecture practice

·     The Architecture Repository is a logical information store for outputs of executing the ADM:

·     The Architecture Metamodel describes the architecture framework in use within the Enterprise

·     The Architecture Landscape shows the state of the operating Enterprise at particular points in time

·     The Reference Library contains re-usable architecture work products

·     The Standards Information Base defines the compliance criteria for work governed by architecture

·     The Governance Log captures results of governance activity, such as compliance assessments

·     The Architecture Capability describes the organisation, roles, skills and responsibilities of the Enterprise Architecture practice

• Capability Framework

·     It is intended to provide better guidance in the area of skills, organization, roles and responsibilities of architects, and a process for defining an appropriate architecture capability for any organization. 

q Content metamodel

·     The new Architecture Content Framework includes a detailed content meta-model that formalizes the definition of an enterprise architecture (EA) and also establishes clear links between business and IT objects.

q Capability Framework

·     Following the lead taken by the architectural frameworks of the defence world (DoDAF and MODAF), but applying a high-level concept of business capability to the civilian world. For example, the TOGAF guide points to the relevance of concept for governments in planning horizontal interoperability and shared services

·     It is a structured definition of the organizations, skills, roles and responsibilities to establish and operate an Enterprise Architecture, including:

·     Terms of Reference for an Architecture Board

·     Guidance on measuring levels of Architecture Compliance against Architecture contracts

·     Processes and organization structures required to operate Architecture Governance

·     Techniques for assessing Architecture Maturity

·     An overview of the Skills required by practicing architects

q Explicit Consideration of Architectural Style

·     The new Part III: ADM Guidelines & Techniques brings together a set of supporting materials that show in more detail how the ADM can be applied to specific situations.

·     Applying Iteration to the ADM

·     Applying the ADM at different Enterprise Levels

·     Security Architecture and the ADM

·     Using TOGAF to define and govern SOA

q Additional ADM Detail

·     This version of the TOGAF specification includes more detailed information supporting the execution of the ADM.

·     The Preliminary phase, which features extended guidance on establishing an enterprise architecture framework and planning for architecture development.

·     The Opportunities & Solutions phase and Migration Planning phase, which feature a more detailed and robust method for defining and planning enterprise transformation, based on the principles of capability-based planning.

Summary

·     TOGAF 9 is an evolution

·     TOGAF 9

·     Builds a rich foundation for business execution

·     Enables business solutions from solidly defined architectural capabilities

·     Unites the business objectives with the IT capabilities, creating a platform for significant added value.

Detailed information on TOGAF 9 including downloads of the specification, links to white papers, information sheets, reference cards, etc is available at:

·     http://www.opengroup.org/togaf/

·     http://www.togaf.info

·     TOGAF Version 9, “The Book”

·     Document No. G091

·     ISBN: 978-90-8753-2307

·     www.opengroup.org

·     www.vanharen.net

·     TOGAF Version 9, The Pocket Guide

·     Document No. G092

·     ISBN: 978-90-8753-232-1

·     www.opengroup.org

Serge Thorn,

CIO Architecting the Enterprise

Ask the expert

Architecting the enterprise offers support and answers to any questions. We'll query the experts for an answer.

Send your question by email to EAexperts@architecting-the.enterprise.com . Please include your name, general location, and email address. Questions may be edited for clarity. The most interesting exchanges will be posted on web site

Architecting the Enterprise education services-

·   New TOGAF 9  course  http://www.architecting-the-enterprise.com/training--TOGAF_for_Practitioners_2009.php

·   New TOGAF 8 to TOGAF 9 bridging course http://www.architecting-the-enterprise.com/training--TOGAF8_to_TOGAF9_Bridging_Course.php

·   New TOGAF for Practitioners 2009 - eLearning http://www.architecting-the-enterprise.com/training--E-Learning.php

·      Training initiatives  http://www.architecting-the-enterprise.com/training--TOGAF9.php