The Open Group Architecture Framework-TOGAF

There are too many kinds of services?

In my first job, the CIO was always complaining that the company had too many servers. This case confused me. However, when I was communicating with CIOs and IT managers in other companies, they told me the same thing. Why?

In large enterprises, it seems that all the business areas have their own definition on “customers”. This leads to an effect that all the customers’ information is sitting in hundreds of different services processes. Thus, a lot of information among all these services is redundant. Thus, there are “too many services.”

How to solve this problem? Superficially, the problem is lying on too many service kinds, but essentially, it is on lack of enterprise architecture. The company should choose an efficient EA framework, due to that condition.

Which EA framework is a better choice?

In 2009, the Open Group take a survey to find out all the main EA frameworks markets share. The results are listed as follows:

We can notice that clearly; TOGAF has occupied the largest market share.

TOGAF, The Open Group Architecture Framework is an excellent choice.

TOGAF is on its 9.1 version (http://www.opengroup.org/togaf/) now.

TOGAF is an architecture framework. It is a tool to help develop, check and accept, operate, use and maintain the architecture. It is adopted by 80% Forbes 50 companies.

The scope of TOGAF

As shown in the above table, TOGAF includes ADM (Architecture Development Method), Architecture Content Framework, Technical Reference Models, ADM Guidelines & Techniques, Enterprise Continuum, and Architecture Capability Framework.

Also, TOGAF is a framework that can do well with open and standard SOA frame. In the TOGAF 9.1 Guidebook, there is a whole chapter tells how to use the TOGAF to define and manage SOA. In that chapter, SOA is described as architecture, and focusing on elements of SOA using and deploying, the connections between SOA and TOGAF, and definition and structure of service contract. (https://store.opengroup.org/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=122)

How can the TOGAF help?

TOGAF pays close attention to BV; and it combines strategy, operation, and policy with business planning cycle closely. And furthermore, it can not only work with business, but also can be integrated with International Organization Framework.

Both small companies and in multinational corporations can use TOGAF to solve various problems. Risk management, business transformation, inter-operability, etc. all these things can included in TOGAF, and all of them are basic elements in business planning.

In a word, although TOGAF is born in IT management, it can be used in various fields. Every business and management learner should learn TOGAF, and then the business and technology can communicate with each other more fluently. ----Robert Weisman(http://www.searchsoa.com.cn/showcontent_20786.htm)