Architecture frameworks
On this page 9 topics
Overview
Topics
- TOGAF concepts
- architecture viewpoints
- governance
Learn first
2.5 h of practice (estimate)
Learning outcomes
- Explain the purpose and main concepts of TOGAF (ADM phases, architecture domains, building blocks, repository) without treating it as a checklist.
- Use viewpoints and views (e.g., ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010 concepts) to address specific stakeholder concerns.
- Describe how architecture governance and compliance reviews fit into an organization's delivery process.
- Tailor a framework to the size and risk of a program.
Lessons
Lab and exercises
Lab
ARC-004-LAB1 · Tailored method
Outcomes: 1–4 · Time: ~2.5 h
- List the framework phases and artifacts you could use for the Larkspur engagement.
- Select a tailored subset and give each artifact a named consumer and the decision it supports.
- Map each stakeholder group to the views that address their concerns.
- Define governance checkpoints with decision-makers and compliance criteria.
- Write a tailoring rationale based on program size and risk.
Acceptance: no artifact without a named consumer.
Exercises (case-based; six exercises)
| ID | Outcome | Task |
|---|---|---|
| ARC-004-EX01 | 1 | Explain the ADM to a Larkspur sponsor in five plain sentences without framework vocabulary. |
| ARC-004-EX02 | 1 | Place six Larkspur activities (vision statement, capability map, options paper, migration plan, build governance, change requests) on the ADM phases. |
| ARC-004-EX03 | 2 | For five stakeholders, write their main concern and the view that addresses it. |
| ARC-004-EX04 | 2 | A diagram claims to serve "all audiences". Identify the viewpoint problem and split it into two views. |
| ARC-004-EX05 | 3 | Design three governance checkpoints for the program: when, who decides, inputs, possible outcomes. |
| ARC-004-EX06 | 4 | Compare the method for a one-team internal tool and the Larkspur program; list what you drop and what you keep, and why. |
Show solutions
- EX01 Example: we first agree the goal, then describe the business, data, applications, and technology today and tomorrow, choose options, plan the move, and guide the build; we repeat as we learn.
- EX02 Vision statement → Architecture Vision; capability map → Business Architecture; options paper → Opportunities and Solutions; migration plan → Migration Planning; build governance → Implementation Governance; change requests → Architecture Change Management.
- EX03 CFO: cost and ownership, capability and cost view; security: data flows and trust boundaries; store managers: process and device view; engineers: component view; operations: deployment and monitoring view.
- EX04 One overloaded diagram mixes concerns; split into a business view for sponsors and a component and interface view for engineers, each with legend and question.
- EX05 Options review (sponsor and EA decide direction), design review (design authority, approve or conditions), pre-go-live review (operations and security, go or no-go).
- EX06 Small tool: context diagram plus decision log; Larkspur: add capability map, options paper, integration view, governance. Rationale: size, risk, regulatory exposure, number of teams.
Workplace evidence: an architecture method you tailored for a real program.
Quiz
Outcomes: O1 TOGAF concepts · O2 viewpoints and views · O3 governance and compliance · O4 tailoring.
A self-check for you: nothing is graded, saved or sent anywhere. Choose an answer, then check it. You can try again as often as you like.
Practical part
Tailoring rationale review using the lab and exercises ARC-004-EX01 to EX06. Pass: quiz at least 8/10, at least five of six exercises correct, and a tailored method in which every artifact has a named consumer.
Common mistakes
Producing every framework artifact; quoting framework vocabulary to business stakeholders.
Assessment
Tailoring rationale review.
Workplace evidence
An architecture method you tailored for a real program.
Career relevance
Architecture modeling (ARC-005) and review boards (ARC-035).