The process of preparing for enterprise architecture development with TOGAF

Enterprise Architecture (EA) is based on the needs and characteristics of the organization. It defines the interaction of information, business processes, data, structures, and technologies, including software and hardware solutions. Creating enterprise architecture requires a detailed understanding of the nuances, requirements, and needs of the business, its current and future structure, and plans, which serve as the main guidelines or obstacles to achieving success.

One of the best tools for developing, maintaining, and evolving enterprise architecture is the TOGAF framework combined with ArchiMate for high-level design and BPML/UML for low-level design and documentation.

What are TOGAF and ArchiMate?

TOGAF (The Open Group Architecture Framework) is a comprehensive framework (in other words, a set of recommendations and guidelines) for developing, planning, implementing, improving, and managing architecture at all enterprise levels. It was developed by The Open Group and initially used to support architectural development processes in the U.S. defense industry. TOGAF includes a set of tools, methods, and guidelines to create and modify architecture tailored to the specific requirements and strategic goals of the business, thereby ensuring alignment between IT infrastructure and business processes, as well as optimizing resources for maximum impact and market competitiveness. TOGAF provides a holistic approach to designing and implementing architectural solutions that help organizations achieve their business objectives through the adoption of effective and flexible IT and beyond.

ArchiMate is an open standard for enterprise modeling, also developed by The Open Group. As a powerful modeling language, ArchiMate allows architects to visualize and analyze complex systems at a higher architectural level. Meanwhile, models created using BPML (Business Process Modeling Language) and UML (Unified Modeling Language) operate at a lower level, detailing business processes and information systems. Together, ArchiMate, BPML, and UML provide a comprehensive modeling approach where ArchiMate offers a generalized overview of enterprise architecture, while BPML and UML enable more detailed visualization of the specifics of business processes and system integrations. This combination allows architects to create clear and understandable models reflecting all aspects of enterprise architecture, thereby facilitating communication among various stakeholders.

TOGAF offers a methodological framework for managing architecture projects, including requirements definition, architectural model development, implementation, and change management. ArchiMate, in turn, serves as a visual tool for architectural modeling, enabling the creation of detailed and comprehensible models. Because these tools were designed to complement each other, their combined use enables the creation of systematic and integrated enterprise architectures.

How are TOGAF and ArchiMate different from their counterparts?

An example of an alternative is the Zachman Framework, a well-known approach to enterprise architecture that uses a matrix to represent different business perspectives. This model does not provide a detailed methodology for developing and implementing architecture.

In contrast, TOGAF provides a comprehensive methodology covering all architecture development stages—from requirements definition to implementation and change management. TOGAF also includes a set of tools and recommendations that help organizations effectively deploy architectural solutions.

ArchiMate, combined with TOGAF, provides powerful modeling tools that enable the creation of detailed and understandable models. These models facilitate communication among stakeholders and enhance understanding of the architecture. This makes the architecture more applicable for use in modern organizations and simplifies work processes.

Reasons to use TOGAF and ArchiMate

• Structured approach to architecture. TOGAF offers a clear structure for managing architectural projects, including the ADM (Architecture Development Method) methodology. ADM consists of phases such as preparation, architecture analysis, solution development, implementation, and management. TOGAF’s structured approach helps organizations ensure alignment between business strategy and IT architecture, increasing business process efficiency and reliability.
• Architecture modeling. ArchiMate provides tools for enterprise architecture modeling, enabling the creation of detailed and comprehensible models. This is important for analyzing complex systems, assessing change impacts, and optimizing business processes. In environments where accuracy and reliability are critical, detailed modeling is a significant advantage. ArchiMate visualizes the relationships among business processes, applications, data, and technologies, facilitating informed decision-making.
• Standardized documentation and communication. Using TOGAF and ArchiMate ensures standardized documentation and communication among different teams and stakeholders. This promotes better understanding of the architecture project and simplifies change management. In fields with many stakeholders involved, standardized documentation is a key success factor. TOGAF and ArchiMate help create clear and transparent documentation, ensuring effective interaction among development teams, analysts, and management.
• Standard approach to architectural change development and change request management. TOGAF provides a standard approach to developing and implementing architectural changes, allowing quick adaptation to new requirements and technologies. This is especially important in industries where rapid change and innovation are normal. The architecture change request management process in TOGAF includes stages of identifying the need for change, impact assessment, planning, and implementation. This enables efficient change management and risk minimization, ensuring stability and predictability in architectural development.
• Availability of best practice recommendations. TOGAF and ArchiMate offer access to a wide range of best practice guidelines that help organizations choose optimal solutions for their needs. TOGAF includes proven methods and approaches that ensure the efficiency and reliability of architectural solutions, while ArchiMate allows visualizing these practices and integrating them into architectural models.

How does the initial enterprise architecture creation process take place using TOGAF and ArchiMate?

For enterprise architecture to benefit the organization, it is first important to define the goals and expected outcomes of its implementation.

Setting corporate architecture goals:

1. Defining architectural capabilities. Start by analyzing the organization's existing capabilities and resources. This includes assessing current IT infrastructure, business processes, organizational structure, and strategic goals. Identifying architectural capabilities helps understand which resources are available for enterprise architecture implementation and how to optimize them.
2. Identifying organizational elements influencing architectural capabilities. To implement enterprise architecture effectively, it is necessary to identify key organizational components that may impact architectural decisions. This helps build architecture that considers all important aspects of the organization’s operations.
3. Establishing architectural principles. Architectural principles are fundamental guidelines that define how enterprise architecture should develop. They provide a unified approach to decision-making by setting standards that align architectural choices with business goals. Principles may include aspects such as flexibility, security, scalability, and compatibility.

Creating the architectural vision:

1. Identifying stakeholders. The success of the entire project depends on correctly identifying and engaging stakeholders, as each group has unique needs and expectations. Stakeholders include company leadership (setting strategic business goals), department heads (responsible for specific business processes and understanding which IT solutions can improve their efficiency), the IT department (ensuring technical implementation and integration with existing systems), and system users (who interact with the enterprise architecture and its outcomes daily).
2. Business requirements gathering process. To achieve strategic, operational, and tactical goals, it is essential to properly collect and analyze all stakeholder requirements. Best methods include interviews, group sessions, brainstorming, and surveys/questionnaires.
3. Forming the architectural vision. Based on collected information, an architectural vision is developed that reflects the desired state of the enterprise architecture. This vision should be clearly formulated and understandable to all stakeholders. It should include a description of the target architecture as well as the paths and steps to achieve it.

Initial materials for starting work:

1. Architectural template models. Various architectural templates are used during preparation, serving as guidelines for building enterprise architecture. An important source is the ITIL framework (Information Technology Infrastructure Library), which provides recommendations for managing IT services and integrating them into business processes. Supply chain models should also be considered, as they help optimize procurement and logistics processes.
2. Business principles. Business principles form the foundation for developing enterprise architecture. They define the core values and rules guiding the organization’s activities. These may include customer orientation, efficiency, innovation, or continuous improvement.
3. Business goals and drivers of business change. Enterprise architecture development should take into account the organization’s business goals. These might be goals related to market expansion, profitability increase, cost reduction, or adoption of new technologies. Change drivers such as new regulatory requirements, technological innovations, or shifts in the competitive environment also play a significant role in shaping the architecture.

NetLS: Building architecture that supports your business goals

Are you looking to bring more clarity and control to your IT landscape? With the right enterprise architecture, it’s easier to adapt, scale, and make smarter business decisions, even in complex environments.

At NetLS, we use TOGAF and ArchiMate to help organizations align their systems with strategy, improve collaboration across teams, and confidently manage change. Our solutions are structured, practical, and built to grow with your business.

Discover how our clients moved from complexity to clarity — now it’s your turn to make architecture work for you!