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Embracing Evolution: What’s New and Different in TOGAF 10 Compared to TOGAF 9

TOGAF® (The Open Group Architecture Framework) has long been a cornerstone for enterprise architecture, guiding organizations through the design, planning, implementation, and governance of IT architectures. With the introduction of TOGAF 10, The Open Group has refined and modernized the framework—enhancing usability, modularity, and alignment with digital and agile transformation. This article offers a comprehensive guide to the key changes from TOGAF 9 to TOGAF 10, complete with practical examples and detailed insights for enterprise architects and business architects alike.

1. Introduction

TOGAF 10 is not a revolutionary departure from its predecessor but an evolutionary step that preserves the core Architecture Development Method (ADM) while refining its structure and expanding its support materials. By incorporating modern digital delivery, modular documentation, and specialized Series Guides, TOGAF 10 is designed to become more accessible and tailor-made for today’s dynamic business environments.

2. Key Objectives of TOGAF 10

The Open Group has established clear goals for TOGAF 10:

  • Accessibility: Simplify navigation with a new digital edition and modern user interface.
  • Agility: Enhance support for agile methodologies to facilitate iterative development and faster time-to-market.
  • Digital Transformation: Address emerging digital trends with targeted guidance on microservices, digital strategy, and evolving technologies.
  • Customization: Modularize content so organizations can pick and choose which components best serve their unique needs.
  • Feedback and Evolution: Incorporate interactive features allowing practitioners to offer feedback for continuous improvement.

Example:
Consider a company embarking on a digital transformation journey. Using TOGAF 10, the architecture team starts with the Fundamental Content to frame their enterprise strategy, then leverages the digital-specific Series Guides to build a modern IT roadmap that supports agile delivery and microservices implementation.

3. Structural Changes: From TOGAF 9 to TOGAF 10

A. TOGAF 9 Structure

TOGAF 9 is organized into six primary parts:

  1. PART I – Introduction: Introduces key enterprise architecture concepts.
  2. PART II – Architecture Development Method (ADM): The core process for developing an architecture.
  3. PART III – ADM Guidelines & Techniques: Provides a range of techniques for applying the ADM.
  4. PART IV – Architecture Content Framework: Outlines the structure, including architecture artifacts and deliverables.
  5. PART V – Enterprise Continuum & Tools: Offers methods to categorize and store architectural artifacts.
  6. PART VI – Architecture Capability Framework: Discusses the organizational framework, including skills, roles, and responsibilities.

Use Case:
An EA team at a large corporation would consult the Architecture Content Framework (Part IV) to standardize their deliverables, ensuring consistency across the organization.

B. TOGAF 10 Structure

TOGAF 10 streamlines the framework into two primary segments:

  1. TOGAF Fundamental Content:
    • Covers the core concepts, including the ADM, ADM techniques, application guidelines, and governance.
    • Serves as the stable, enduring backbone of the framework.
  2. Extended Guidance (TOGAF Series Guides):
    • Offers practical, dynamic guidance for specific topics, such as business, security, digital, and agile architectures.
    • Allows organizations to selectively adopt components that align with their needs.

Use Case:
A retail company may focus on the Business Architecture and Information Architecture Series Guides to better align its IT investments with customer experience initiatives, forgoing other modules that are covered by different frameworks.

4. Enhanced Usability in TOGAF 10

A. Digital Edition

TOGAF 10 introduces a digital edition with a modern, intuitive user interface that replaces the previous HTML version. This new format allows users to quickly locate information with improved navigation tools.

Example:
An enterprise architect can filter content by keywords like “Digital Transformation” or “Agile” on a tablet or laptop, accessing specific Series Guides without the need to sift through an extensive document.

B. Modularization

The new modular design means users can access only the sections relevant to their current project or needs, reducing information overload and enhancing focus.

Example:
A technology firm aiming to adopt agile methodologies can focus solely on the Agile Methods Series Guide alongside the Fundamental Content, tailoring the framework to their agile delivery processes.

C. Feedback and Commentary

Interactive elements in the digital edition allow users to provide real-time feedback on specific sections, helping to ensure that the framework remains current and adaptable based on practitioner input.

Example:
After a digital transformation project, an EA might provide commentary on the “Digital Technology Adoption” guide, which could inform future updates to better address emerging industry trends.

5. Expanded Content with TOGAF Series Guides

The TOGAF Series Guides extend the foundational content by offering in-depth insights into specialized areas:

A. General How-To Guides

  • Developing Enterprise Architecture Following the TOGAF ADM: A practical approach to applying the ADM.
  • Digital Technology Adoption: Guidance for readiness assessment and developing a digital transformation roadmap.
  • Using TOGAF in the Digital Enterprise: Strategies for integrating digital business practices.

Use Case:
A government agency can utilize the “Digital Technology Adoption” guide to assess its current level of digital maturity and develop a structured plan for modernization.

B. Domain-Specific Guides

  • Business Architecture: Covers business models, capabilities, and value streams.
  • Security Architecture: Integrates risk management and cyber security within EA.
  • Data & Information Architecture: Focuses on strategies like Customer Master Data Management.
  • Agile Methods: Guides for embedding agile practices in the architecture process.

Use Case:
A financial institution may focus on the Security Architecture guide to align its cyber risk management process with broader business objectives.

C. Reference Models and Methods

  • Digital Business Reference Model (DBRM)
  • Government Reference Model (GRM)
  • Architecture Maturity Models & Skill Framework
  • Microservices Architecture: Guidance on decomposing monolithic applications into microservices.

Use Case:
When transitioning to microservices, a company can adopt the Microservices Architecture guide to restructure their legacy systems and integrate DevOps practices.

D. EA Capability and Transformation Guides

  • TOGAF Leader’s Guide: Designed for enterprise leaders to establish and evolve an EA capability.
  • Agile Transformation Guides: Support adopting agile practices across the EA team.

Use Case:
A multinational organization may use these guides to build an EA Center of Excellence that drives continuous improvement and alignment between IT and business strategies.

6. Certification and Specialization in TOGAF 10

TOGAF 10 also refines the certification process to include specialized credentials:

  • Modularized Credentials:
    Shorter, focused learning paths allow professionals to specialize in areas such as Agile, Digital, or Enterprise Architecture Leadership.
  • Bridge Paths:
    For professionals already certified under TOGAF 9, a bridge certification enables a smooth transition to the new 10th Edition without starting from scratch.
  • Two Primary Learning Paths:
    – One for Enterprise Architects
    – One for Business Architects, addressing their unique roles within enterprise transformation

Use Case:
An enterprise architect holding a TOGAF 9 certificate can pursue a bridge credential, focusing on the key enhancements and Series Guides relevant to digital transformation in TOGAF 10 rather than re-certifying entirely.

7. Minor Terminological and Process Flow Updates

TOGAF 10 includes adjustments to terminology and visual process flows to foster clarity and flexibility:

  • Process Flow Improvements:
    Traditional arrows indicating strict sequential phases have been removed in favor of a more fluid, flexible model that supports iterative transitions between phases.
  • Terminology Changes:
    • “TOGAF Content Framework and Metamodel” now becomes “TOGAF Content Framework and TOGAF Enterprise Metamodel.”
    • “Standards Information Base” is updated to “Standards Library.”
    • “Governance Log” is replaced by “Governance Repository.”
    • Versioning terms for deliverables have been refined to clearly indicate drafts versus approved states.

Example:
An EA team revisiting project documentation finds that the updated terminology in the Governance Repository helps clarify which artifacts are in draft form and which have been formally approved, streamlining the audit process.

8. Real-World Use Cases and Practical Examples

A. Adopting Agile in Enterprise Architecture

Situation:
A technology company seeks to adopt agile methods to accelerate the delivery of new digital services.

Action:

  • Review the Fundamental Content for core ADM guidance.
  • Consult the Agile Methods Series Guide to integrate agile sprints, iterative review cycles, and continuous feedback.
  • Apply agile principles to dynamically transition between phases, bypassing rigid gatekeeping.

Result:
The company reduces its development cycle from several months to weeks, maintaining strategic alignment while responding rapidly to shifting market demands.

B. Digital Transformation Roadmap

Situation:
A financial institution plans to modernize its legacy IT architecture to improve its digital banking capabilities.

Action:

  • Use the Fundamental Content to analyze the current ADM.
  • Study the “Digital Technology Adoption” guide to assess digital readiness.
  • Develop a roadmap incorporating microservices architectures and agile practices from relevant Series Guides.

Result:
The bank transforms its system architecture, improves customer experiences, and boosts competitiveness in digital services.

C. Establishing EA Capability in a Large Enterprise

Situation:
A multinational organization needs to establish a robust enterprise architecture function to drive digital transformation.

Action:

  • Engage with the Fundamental Content to set up core EA processes.
  • Leverage the “TOGAF Leader’s Guide” from the Series Guides to define roles, responsibilities, and processes.
  • Use digital edition feedback features to continuously refine and improve EA capabilities.

Result:
An effective EA Center of Excellence is created, ensuring that IT initiatives align closely with strategic business goals and driving long-term organizational success.

9. Conclusion

TOGAF 10 builds on the strength of previous versions while embracing a modern, modular, and agile approach to enterprise architecture. Its digital edition, enhanced navigability, and specialized Series Guides make it easier for practitioners to tailor the framework to their unique organizational contexts. Whether driving digital transformation, adopting agile practices, or establishing a robust EA function, TOGAF 10 provides clear, practical guidance to meet contemporary business challenges.

By understanding these improvements and utilizing the practical examples provided, enterprise architects and business architects can confidently adopt TOGAF 10 to foster innovation, strategic alignment, and operational excellence in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape.

This revised, well-formatted article offers a comprehensive overview of TOGAF 10’s enhancements over TOGAF 9 with practical examples to guide your enterprise architecture practice into the future.

TOGAF Resource

  1. Powerful TOGAF ADM Toolset

    • URL: Visual Paradigm TOGAF ADM Tools
    • Description: Comprehensive TOGAF toolkit providing a step-by-step approach to developing deliverables required in the TOGAF Architecture Development Methodology (ADM). Includes easy-to-follow instructions, cutting-edge modeling tools, real-life examples, and expert guides.

  2. The Best TOGAF Software

    • URL: The Best TOGAF Software
    • Description: Discusses the benefits of using Visual Paradigm for TOGAF, including its support for ArchiMate 3, and how it helps in understanding and implementing TOGAF ADM.

  3. Best TOGAF Software with Agile & UML – Visual Paradigm Enterprise

    • URL: Visual Paradigm Enterprise
    • Description: Highlights Visual Paradigm Enterprise as an ArchiMate enterprise architecture tool certified by The Open Group. It supports various vocabulary, notation, syntax, and semantics for all ArchiMate language elements and relationships.

  4. Mastering Enterprise Architecture with Visual Paradigm’s TOGAF Tool

  5. TOGAF® Tool for Enterprise Architecture

  6. Visual Paradigm TOGAF – Everything about TOGAF, Enterprise Architecture, ArchiMate, and more

    • URL: Visual Paradigm TOGAF
    • Description: Offers a detailed guide on ArchiMate 3 and its integration with TOGAF ADM, providing architects with a powerful tool to express complex models.

  7. Visual Paradigm: The Ultimate All-in-One Visual Modeling Platform for Enterprise Architecture and Software Design

    • URL: ArchiMetric – Visual Paradigm Overview
    • Description: Discusses how Visual Paradigm supports TOGAF, ADM, ArchiMate, BPMN, and UML, making it an ideal choice for enterprise architects, business analysts, and software designers.

  8. A Practical Tutorial for TOGAF

    • URL: Visual Paradigm – Practical TOGAF Tutorial
    • Description: Free TOGAF tutorial that helps users understand ADM, architecture content framework, enterprise continuum, reference model, and architecture capability framework.

  9. Step-by-Step Enterprise Architecture Tutorial with TOGAF

These references provide a comprehensive overview of Visual Paradigm’s TOGAF tools and their applications in enterprise architecture development.