TOGAF® refers to a set of rules that provides clarity on organizational development. This award-winning enterprise was developed in 1995, and more than half the Global 50 and Fortune 500 companies adopted the TOGAF® framework by 2016. Large enterprises find these rules helpful in achieving development goals more quickly and cost-effectively. 

Currently, 70 organizations offer eight certified TOGAF® tools with 71 accredited courses. TOGAF® guides organizations on how they can create, interpret, and analyze while making use of different elements in each strategy. The use of clearly defined terminology enables better communication between departments and also reduces the likelihood of errors, allowing businesses to align their IT and overall business goals.

Learn to provide strategic context to IT projects and informed business decisions with the TOGAF® Certification Training Course. Check out the course preview now.

Purpose of TOGAF®

TOGAF®, according to, is intended to:

  • Ensure that everyone speaks the same language 
  • Avoid lock-in to any proprietary solutions with the help of standardization of open methods for enterprise architecture
  • Save time and money by utilizing resources effectively
  • Achieve more demonstrable ROI (return on investment) 

TOGAF® is based on an IT management framework developed in the 1990s by the US Defense Department (DoD), called the Technical Architecture Framework for Information Management (TAFIM). This framework showed how the DoD’s technical infrastructure was structured, maintained, and configured to align with any specific requirements. TAFIM hasn’t been used by the DoD since 1999 and is now eliminated from any process documentation.

The core of TOGAF® is the Architecture Development Method (ADM), which helps an enterprise form a process around architecture lifecycles. It can be adapted and customized for specific organizational needs, helping to confirm the business approach to information architecture. Businesses use ADM to develop a process involving multiple checkpoints and to establish requirements more firmly. This allows the process to be repeated with as few errors as possible. 

The Four Pillars of TOGAF®

  1. Business Architecture

    This includes information pertinent to business strategy, organization, governance, and how any existing organizational processes can be adapted. 
  2. Applications Architecture

    This is a blueprint for the structure and deployment of application systems in accordance with the business goals, organizational frameworks, and any core business processes. 
  3. Data Architecture

    This defines the data storage, management, and maintenance of the organization and includes data models, both physical and logical.
  4. Technical (or technology) Architecture

    This is the right hardware, software, or IT infrastructure involved in the development and deployment of business applications. 

Business Benefits of TOGAF®

TOGAF® helps organizations implement software in a more structured manner, with a focus on governance and meeting business objectives. Software development usually relies on the collaboration between many departments and business units inside or outside of IT. TOGAF® helps address issues that may arise when getting these key stakeholders aligned and onto the same page.

TOGAF® intends to help create a more systematic approach so that the development process is streamlined and facilitates replication. There should be as little room for error as possible when switching from one development phase to another, and a common language helps bridge the gap between the IT and business side. However, not every part of the TOGAF® process needs to be adopted. A business should identify its specific needs and then focus on the relevant sections of the framework.

What’s in the Latest Version of TOGAF®?

The newest version of TOGAF® includes the following updates:

  • Content Meta-Model

    This process guides the creation and management of the enterprise architecture along with the ADM guidelines, helping businesses implement proprietary architecture into a different architectural tool. This can be done with output checklists and a streamlined approach, along with a more specific standard for describing architecture. 
  • Partitioning

    New suggestions and guidance are introduced for partitioning specific architectures within the enterprise. 
  • Architecture Repository

    This contains every detail about enterprise architecture or any relevant projects. It includes policies, designs, frameworks, etc.
  • Enterprise Continuum

    This addresses concepts within the framework that are more abstract, describing how everything that’s defined in the repository will fit into the process. It also explains how each asset relates to one another, reducing confusion and improving communication between IT and other business units.
  • ADM Guidelines and Techniques

    These expand on the information in ADM, teaching you how to apply ADM and when to use it in the organization. It also includes security considerations and how ADM is related to TOGAF®. 

How Does TOGAF® Work?

The main goal of the TOGAF® process is to make sure the various stakeholders involved are aligned and in agreement. Therefore, the process can be broken down into the following areas:

  1. The terminology used in the developmental process. The terminology must be well established and very clear. The establishment of meanings for critical terms right at the start will enable much better communication. 
  2. Clearly defined processes. The ADM supports this and guides users through the development cycle with a methodology that is clear and versatile.
  3. Provision of assets for carrying out architectural development. This includes clearly outlined procedures for the management (and documentation) of any changes that are made, which helps with future developments.
How well-versed are you in the concepts of TOGAF®? Try answering these TOGAF® Practice Test Questions and find out yourself.

Benefits of TOGAF® Certification

There are several benefits to acquiring a TOGAF® certification, such as:

  • Enterprise architects are in high demand. Architecture has become a lot more integrated with IT technology over the years. Savvy companies have been planning the enterprise architecture of their business with the help of TOGAF®.
  • Professionals who are certified in TOGAF® understand a universal language. They share collective knowledge and expertise, allowing them to identify business needs better.
  • There is a staged approach. There are two levels in the enterprise architecture exam: Foundation and Certified. This approach helps individuals learn the basics first and then build on this knowledge until they become experts.
  • The TOGAF® certification is budget-friendly. The cost can be paid per level or together to save money, depending on your needs and budget.  
  • It will help boost your salary and career. The average salaries for TOGAF® certified individuals start at $80,000.
  • TOGAF® allows you to explore new opportunities. Certifications are essential for large enterprises. Standardization cultivates trust, giving companies the confidence that the individual has been well trained and tested in anything about that field. Getting TOGAF® certified will help open new doors to many enterprises.
  • You will be better equipped to meet all the needs of your company. Every company wants to complete more work in less time (and with less effort), which TOGAF® facilitates. TOGAF® trained professionals can help reduce the costs for the company while also increasing their profit margins.
  • TOGAF® allows you to work on managerial skills. The course mixes management with technical aspects, providing a stepping stone for anyone aspiring to be a manager. The experience from this training will make you more eligible for management roles.
  • TOGAF® certification validates your skills. There are very few certifications that have been recognized as broadly as TOGAF®. It is considered a mark of trust; any company will trust your knowledge and skills when a TOGAF® certificate validates you.
  • TOGAF® courses give you the opportunity to network. You’ll get a chance to meet professionals in your field and develop contacts, allowing you to understand the newer trends in that industry and share ideas.
  • There are no prerequisites for taking the TOGAF® course.  Anyone can take the course and get certified. 

Enterprise architects have a lot to gain from a TOGAF® certification since the TOGAF® methodology and framework is commonly used in the field. This certification has global recognition and is vendor-neutral. Acquiring this certification will show that you can use the framework of TOGAF® to implement technology and manage enterprise architecture. Simplilearn’s TOGAF® training course will prepare you to pass both TOGAF® 9 level 1 (Foundation) and level 2 (Certification) exams and become TOGAF® 9 certified. 

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