The TOGAF Standard

The TOGAF Standard is an open, industry consensus framework for Enterprise Architecture.

It is a foundational framework, which means that it is applicable to the development of any kind of architecture in any context. This foundational framework is supplemented by The Open Group TOGAF Library, an extensive and growing portfolio of guidance material, providing practical guidance in the application of the TOGAF framework in specific contexts.

The structure of the TOGAF Standard reflects the structure and content of an Architecture

Capability within an enterprise, as shown in Figure 2-2.

^Fig-2-2

The TOGAF Standard Fundamental Content is presented as six free-standing documents:

• The TOGAF Standard - Introduction and Core Concepts

• The TOGAF Standard - Architecture Development Method
  This document describes the TOGAF Architecture Development Method (ADM) - an iterative approach to developing an Enterprise Architecture

• The TOGAF Standard - ADM Techniques
  This document contains a collection of techniques available for use in applying the TOGAF approach and the TOGAF ADM.

• The TOGAF Standard - Applying the ADM
  This document contains guidelines for adapting the TOGAF ADM to address the specific style of architecture required in a practical context.

• The TOGAF Standard - Architecture Content
  This document describes the TOGAF Content Framework and a structured metamodel for architectural artefacts, the use of re-usable Architecture Building Blocks (ABBs), and an overview of typical architecture deliverables.

• The TOGAF Standard - Enterprise Architecture Capability and Governance
  This document discusses the organisation, processes, skills, roles, and responsibilities required to establish and operate an architecture function within an enterprise and describes an Enterprise Architecture governance framework.

The intention of dividing the TOGA Standard into these independent documents is to allow for different areas of specialisation to be considered in detail and potentially addressed in isolation.
Although all the constituent documents work together as a whole, it is also feasible to select particular documents for adoption while excluding others. For example, an organisation may wish to adopt the ADM process, but elect not to use any of the materials relating to Architecture Capability.

As an open framework, such use is encouraged, particularly in the following situations:

• Organisations that are new to the TOGAF approach and wish to incrementally adopt TOGAF concepts are expected to focus on particular constituent documents of the standard for initial adoption, with other areas tabled for later consideration
• Organisations that have already deployed architecture frameworks may choose to merge these frameworks with aspects of the TOGAF Standard