The Open Group Architecture Framework
The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF®) is a framework for enterprise architecture which provides a comprehensive approach for designing, planning, implementing, and governing an enterprise information architecture. TOGAF is a registered trademark of The Open Group in the United States and other countries. [2]
TOGAF is a high level and holistic approach to design, which is typically modeled at four levels: Business, Application, Data, and Technology. It tries to give a well-tested overall starting model to information architects, which can then be built upon. It relies heavily on modularization, standardization and already existing, proven technologies and products.
Overview
An architecture framework is a set of tools which can be used for developing a broad range of different architectures.[3] It should:
- describe a method for defining an information system in terms of a set of building blocks
- show how the building blocks fit together
- contain a set of tools
- provide a common vocabulary
- include a list of recommended standards
- include a list of compliant products that can be used to implement the building blocks
TOGAF is such an architecture framework.
The ANSI/IEEE Standard 1471-2000 specification of architecture (of software-intensive systems) may be stated as: "the fundamental organization of a system, embodied in its components, their relationships to each other and the environment, and the principles governing its design and evolution."
However TOGAF has its own view, which may be specified as either a "formal description of a system, or a detailed plan of the system at component level to guide its implementation", or as "the structure of components, their interrelationships, and the principles and guidelines governing their design and evolution over time."
History
TOGAF was developed by the Architecture Forum of The Open Group and has been continuously evolving since the mid-1990s. In 1995, the first version of TOGAF Version was presented, which was:
"...based on the Technical Architecture Framework for Information Management (TAFIM). The US Department of Defense gave The Open Group explicit permission and encouragement to create TOGAF by building on the TAFIM, which itself was the result of many years of development effort and many millions of dollars of US Government investment."[5]
TOGAF 7 ("Technical Edition") was published in December 2001. TOGAF 8 ("Enterprise Edition") was first published in December 2002 and republished in updated form as TOGAF 8.1 in December 2003, which was updated in November 2006 as TOGAF 8.1.1. According to The Open Group, as of February 2011, over 15,000 individuals are TOGAF Certified.[6]
The latest version is TOGAF 9, launched on 2 February 2009. An evolutionary development from TOGAF 8, TOGAF 9[7] includes many new features including:[citation needed]
- Increased rigor, including a formal Content Metamodel that links the artifacts of TOGAF together
- Elimination of unnecessary differences
- Many more examples and templates
Additional guidelines and techniques include:[citation needed]
- A formal business-driven approach to architecture
- Business capability-based planning
- Guidance on how to use TOGAF to develop Security Architectures and SOAs
The Open Group provides TOGAF free of charge to organizations for their own internal noncommercial purposes.[8]
TOGAF topics
Enterprise architecture domains
TOGAF is based on four interrelated domains
Alternative enterprise architecture frameworks
- AGATE French Délégation Générale pour l'Armement Atelier de Gestion de l'ArchiTEcture des systèmes d'information et de communication.
- ArchiMate an open and independent modelling language for enterprise architecture
- ARCON - A Reference Architecture for Collaborative Networks - not focused on a single enterprise but rather on networks of enterprises [9][10]
- DoDAF United States Department of Defense Architectural Framework.
- CSC Catalyst CSC Catalyst
- DYA framework Sogeti Framework.
- EIF European Interoperability Framework - Enterprise architecture at the level of EU Member States
- IDABC Interoperable Delivery (of European egovernment services to public) Administrations, Business and Citizens
- Integrated Architecture Framework (IAF) created by Capgemini.
- FEA United States Office of Management and Budget Federal Enterprise Architecture.
- MIKE2.0 (Method for an Integrated Knowledge Environment) which includes an enterprise architecture framework called SAFE (Strategic Architecture for the Federated Enterprise)
- MODAF United Kingdom Ministry of Defence Architectural Framework.
- Model-driven architecture (MDA) Object Management Group's Model Driven Architecture.
- OBASHI (The OBASHI Business & IT methodology and framework.
- The Operations Systems Computing Architecture (OSCAR), initially developed in 1986 by Bell Communications Research (the forerunner of the current Telcordia Technologies) to guide development of enterprise systems for the Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs).
- PROMIS Framework The PROMIS Enterprise Architecture Framework integrated into the EA tool EVA Netmodeler
- SABSA a comprehensive framework for Enterprise Security Architecture and Service Management.
- SAP Enterprise Architecture Framework is extension of TOGAF to better support Commercial off-the-shelf and Service-Oriented Architecture
- Zachman Framework IBM Framework from the 1980s.
References
- ^ Stephen Marley (2003). Architectural Framework. NASA /SCI. Retrieved 10 Dec 2008.
- ^ TOGAF Trademark
- ^ TOGAF Introduction The Open Group Architecture Framework. Accessed 22 Jan 2009.
- ^ Department of Defense (1996). Technical Architecture Framework for Information Management. Vol. 4. April 1996
- ^ The Open Group (2009). Welcome to TOGAF Version 9 -- The Open Group Architecture Framework. Retrieved on 2009-02-03 from http://www.opengroup.org/architecture/togaf9-doc/arch/.
- ^ 15,000 certifications
- ^ TOGAF 9.1 White Paper An Introduction to TOGAF Version 9.1 http://www.opengroup.org/togaf/
- ^ The Open Group (2011). TOGAF® Version 9 - Download. Architecture Forum. Retrieved on 2011-11-17 from http://www.opengroup.org/architecture/togaf9/downloads.htm.
- ^ L.M. Camarinha-Matos, H. Afsarmanesh, Collaborative Networks: Reference Modeling, Springer, 2008.
- ^ L.M. Camarinha-Matos, H. Afsarmanesh, On reference models for collaborative networked organizations, International Journal Production Research, Vol 46, Nº 9, May 2008, pp 2453–2469.
This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2008) |
External links
- Official website
- TOGAF 9 Online
- TOGAF 8.1.1 Online
- IBM developerWorks: Understand The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF) and IT architecture in today's world (February 2006)
- Developer.com: TOGAF: Establishing Itself As the Definitive Method for Building Enterprise Architectures in the Commercial World (June 2004)
- TOGAF or not TOGAF: Extending Enterprise Architecture beyond RUP (January 2007)
- Practical advice: How to bring TOGAF to life (October 2007)
- Togaf Modeling using UML and BPMN (May 2010)