quick reference
TOGAF ADM Cheat Sheet
Quick reference card for the TOGAF Architecture Development Method phases, deliverables, and key activities.
TOGAF ADM Cheat Sheet
Phase Summary
| Phase | Name | Purpose | Key Deliverable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prelim | Preliminary | Establish EA capability | Architecture Principles |
| A | Architecture Vision | Define scope and vision | Statement of Architecture Work |
| B | Business Architecture | Model business capabilities | Business Architecture Document |
| C | Information Systems | Model data and applications | Data & Application Architecture |
| D | Technology Architecture | Model infrastructure | Technology Architecture Document |
| E | Opportunities & Solutions | Define work packages | Implementation Strategy |
| F | Migration Planning | Prioritize and sequence | Architecture Roadmap |
| G | Implementation Governance | Oversee implementation | Compliance Reports |
| H | Architecture Change Mgmt | Manage changes | Change Requests |
| RM | Requirements Management | Manage requirements | Requirements Repository |
Phase Details
Preliminary Phase
PURPOSE: Establish the architecture capability
INPUTS OUTPUTS
• Business principles • Organizational Model for EA
• Business goals • Tailored Architecture Framework
• Governance framework • Architecture Principles
• Architecture Repository
Phase A: Architecture Vision
PURPOSE: Develop high-level vision and secure approval
INPUTS OUTPUTS
• Request for Architecture • Architecture Vision document
• Business principles • Statement of Architecture Work
• Architecture principles • Refined business goals
• Enterprise Continuum • Stakeholder Map
Phase B: Business Architecture
PURPOSE: Develop target Business Architecture
INPUTS OUTPUTS
• Architecture Vision • Business Architecture Document
• Architecture Repository • Gap Analysis (Business)
• Business principles • Candidate Roadmap Components
• Updated Architecture Repository
Phase C: Information Systems Architecture
PURPOSE: Develop target Data and Application Architecture
C.1 DATA ARCHITECTURE C.2 APPLICATION ARCHITECTURE
• Data entities • Application portfolio
• Data relationships • Application interactions
• Data management • Integration requirements
• Data governance • Application services
OUTPUTS: Data Architecture Document, Application Architecture Document
Phase D: Technology Architecture
PURPOSE: Develop target Technology Architecture
INPUTS OUTPUTS
• Architecture Vision • Technology Architecture Document
• Application Architecture • Gap Analysis (Technology)
• Data Architecture • Candidate Roadmap Components
• Technology principles • Updated Architecture Repository
Phase E: Opportunities & Solutions
PURPOSE: Generate implementation approach
INPUTS OUTPUTS
• Gap analysis (all domains) • Project list
• Candidate components • Work packages
• Architecture Repository • Transition Architectures
• Implementation Factor Assessment
Phase F: Migration Planning
PURPOSE: Finalize implementation roadmap
INPUTS OUTPUTS
• Implementation Strategy • Architecture Roadmap
• Work packages • Implementation and Migration Plan
• Transition Architectures • Implementation Governance Model
Phase G: Implementation Governance
PURPOSE: Architectural oversight of implementation
ACTIVITIES
• Confirm scope and priorities
• Identify resources and skills
• Guide solution development
• Perform compliance reviews
• Conduct post-implementation review
Phase H: Architecture Change Management
PURPOSE: Manage architecture changes
CHANGE TYPES
• Simplification → Minor changes
• Enhancement → Architecture Board review
• Strategic → New architecture cycle
TRIGGERS: Technology changes, business changes, lessons learned
Key Artifacts by Domain
Business Architecture
- Capability Map
- Value Stream Map
- Organization Map
- Business Process Models
- Business Use Cases
Data Architecture
- Conceptual Data Model
- Logical Data Model
- Data Entity/Function Matrix
- Data Lifecycle Diagram
- Data Security Diagram
Application Architecture
- Application Portfolio Catalog
- Application Communication Diagram
- Application/Function Matrix
- Application Migration Diagram
- Application Use-Case Diagram
Technology Architecture
- Technology Standards Catalog
- Technology Portfolio Catalog
- Environments and Locations Diagram
- Platform Decomposition Diagram
- Network Computing Diagram
ADM Iteration Patterns
ARCHITECTURE LANDSCAPE (Enterprise-wide)
├── Scope: All domains, conceptual level
├── Cycle: 12-24 months
└── Focus: Strategic direction
ARCHITECTURE CAPABILITY (Domain-specific)
├── Scope: Single domain, detailed
├── Cycle: 3-6 months
└── Focus: Capability development
ARCHITECTURE GOVERNANCE (Project-level)
├── Scope: Solution architecture
├── Cycle: Project-aligned
└── Focus: Compliance
Governance Checkpoints
| Checkpoint | Phase | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Review | A | Scope and vision alignment |
| Architecture Review | B-D | Domain architecture compliance |
| Solution Review | E-F | Work package feasibility |
| Implementation Review | G | Delivery compliance |
| Post-Implementation | H | Outcomes assessment |
Quick Decision Guide
Which phase to start with?
- New EA capability → Preliminary
- New initiative → Phase A
- Business change → Phase B
- Technology refresh → Phase D
- Project compliance → Phase G
When to iterate?
- Major requirements change → Return to A
- Domain gap identified → Return to B/C/D
- Implementation issue → Phase E/F adjustment
- Ongoing change → Phase H triggers
Common Deliverable Templates
Architecture Principles Template
PRINCIPLE: [Name]
Statement: [Concise statement of the principle]
Rationale: [Why this principle is important]
Implications:
• [Impact on architecture decisions]
• [Impact on implementation]
• [Constraints introduced]
Gap Analysis Template
DOMAIN: [Business/Data/Application/Technology]
| Baseline | Target | Gap | Priority | Action |
|----------|--------|-----|----------|--------|
| Current | Future | Δ | H/M/L | Work |
Architecture Decision Record
ADR-[###]: [Decision Title]
Status: [Proposed | Accepted | Deprecated]
Context: [Why is this decision needed?]
Decision: [What is the decision?]
Consequences: [What are the implications?]