TOGAF 9 vs. TOGAF 10: What’s New and Different?
Introduction
If you’re an experienced TOGAF user, you’re probably wondering what’s new in version 10. Or maybe you’re just starting out with TOGAF and want to understand the differences between the two versions.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the most important changes in TOGAF 10, and explain how they can help you improve your enterprise architecture practice.
If you’re interested in learning more about the new features and benefits of TOGAF 10, keep reading!
The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF) is a widely adopted methodology for enterprise architecture. It provides a comprehensive framework for designing, planning, implementing, and managing enterprise information technology architecture.
The new version is the most significant update to the framework since TOGAF9.1. It focuses on the significance of agility, digital transformation, and creating modular documentation instead of extensive documentation, offering more practical and exhaustive documentation on tailoring and implementing the framework. TOGAF10 aims to simplify the adoption of the framework for organizations so that it can help manage their enterprise architecture.
The Open Group has stated that the goals of TOGAF 10 are to:
- Make TOGAF more accessible and easier to use
- Enhance TOGAF’s support for agility
- Address the challenges of digital transformation
- Align TOGAF with the latest industry best practices
The main Differences
The TOGAF 10 is an evolution, not a revolution (Mark Dickson); the core content’s main structure remains unchanged. TOGAF 10 introduces a more user-friendly and accessible digital edition, encourages practitioner feedback, and aims to stay aligned with other relevant frameworks and methodologies. It continues to evolve as a comprehensive resource for enterprise architecture practitioners.
I will delve into the primary disparities from two perspectives: usability and content. When it comes to usability, I’ll explore the improvements that have made life easier for enterprise architects. In terms of content, our focus will be on the Series Guides since the core content remains unchanged.
Usability
Digital Edition: The 10th edition introduces a digital edition of the TOGAF standard, a significant departure from the previous HTML version. It offers improved navigation and a modern user interface as you can see on the following link:
TOGAF® The New Release
My Profile Collaboration Portal Log In Log Out Create Account
www.opengroup.org
Modularization: TOGAF has undergone modularization, making accessing specific parts of the standard easier. This allows practitioners to find and use relevant content more efficiently. With the modularization, the customizability of the framework has been taken to the next level. For instance, enterprises can now identify the guides relevant to their requirements and disregard those that do not apply to their enterprise architecture situation or strategy.
Feedback and Commentary: The digital edition includes features for users to provide feedback and commentary on the standard sections. This helps gather input from practitioners and improve the content over time.
Content
Now, lets compare the versions 9 and 10 on the way the framework is divided:
TOGAF 9 are divided into 6 parts: — From OpenGroup
- PART I(Introduction) — a high-level introduction to the key concepts of Enterprise Architecture
- PART II(Architecture Development Method — ADM) — The core of the TOGAF framework.
- PART III(ADM Guidelines & Techniques) — A collection of guidelines and techniques available for use in applying the TOGAF.
- PART IV(Architecture Content Framework) — Describes a structured metamodel, Architecture Building Blocks (ABBs), and architecture deliverables.
- PART V(Enterprise Continuum & Tools) — Taxonomies and tools to categorize and store the outputs of architecture activity.
- PART VI(Architecture Capability Framework) — Organization, processes, skills, roles, and responsibilities required to establish and operate an EA.
And TOGAF 10 are divided in just two parts:
- TOGAF Fundamental Content
- Extended Guidance
The documentation in TOGAF10 has been simplified and modularized to become more user-friendly. As you can see in the image, the TOGAF Standard is divided into two distinct categories: The TOGAF Fundamental Content, which is more stable and Enduring, and the TOGAF Series Guides, which are dynamic.
TOGAF Fundamental Content covers the framework’s introduction and key concepts, the Architecture Development Method (ADM), ADM techniques, ADM application, architecture content, enterprise architecture capability, and governance1. It is the framework’s cornerstone and is expected to remain essentially unchanged.
The role of the Extended Guidance in the form of the TOGAF Series Guides is to build upon the general content provided in the TOGAF Fundamental Content by providing guidance for specific topics. Over time the extended guidance will expand as the professional body of knowledge that forms the TOGAF Standard expands with more stable best practice. From OpenGroup
The image below shows all TOGAF 10 main items; we can still see the ADM in the middle of everything, receiving Business Vision, Drivers, and capabilities and how all main components talk.
TOGAF Series Guides
These guides offer in-depth information on various topics, including enterprise, agile, digital, and technology architecture and business, information, and security architecture. With these Series Guides, the EAs can identify the documents that are important to the organization and used to tailor the framework based on the best practices. We can see how they are divided:
General How To:
- A Practictioners Approach to Developing Enterprise Achitecture Following the TOGAF ADM
- Digital Technology Adoption: A Guide to Readiness Assessment and Roadmap Development
- Using the TOGAF Standard in the Digital Enterprise
Domain Specific:
- Business Architecture: Business Models, Business Capabilities, Value Streams, Information Mapping, Organization Mapping
- Security Architecture: Integrating Risk and Security within a TOGAF Enterprise Architecture
- Data and Information Architecture: Customer Master Data Management
- Agile Methods: Enabling Enterprise Agility, Applying the TOGAF ADM using Agile Sprints
Reference Models and Methods:
- Digital Business Reference Model (DBRM)
- Government Reference Model (GRM)
- Architecture Maturity Models
- Architecture Project Management
- Architecture Skill Framework
- Microservices Architecture (MSA)
Establishing and Evolving an EA Team:
- The TOGAF Leader’s Guide to Establishing and Evolving an EA Capability
As I mentioned before, the target of those guidances is to facilitate the framework implementation, providing best practices on applying to many different scenarios.
TOGAF 10 also places significant emphasis on organizational transformation when adopting microservices. It encourages and promotes Agile and DevOps methodologies. This shift may require substantial organizational cultural adjustments to realize the benefits fully.
Some other minor changes
They removed the arrows between the phases because the arrows used to indicate a sequential flow from A to B, from B to C, from C to D, and so on. By removing the arrows, it conveys a more fluid transition, signifying that you can move between the phases more flexibly and seamlessly.
Terminology changes:
- “Content Framework and Metamodel” is now “TOGAF Content Framework and TOGAF Enterprise Metamodel.”
- “Standards Information Base” is now “Standards Library.”
- “Governance Log” is now “Governance Repository.”
- The version associated with deliverables has changed from “0.1” to “draft” and “1.0” to “by approved.”
Certification process
TOGAF 10 creates some specialization credentials offering a modularized, shorter learning module compared to complete certifications, but we still have the foundation and certification
Two primary learning paths are outlined for the 10th Edition, one for Enterprise Architects and the new one for Business Architects. For Enterprise Architects, there’s an option to take the certification step by step or as a combined exam, where you can do the foundation and practitioner simultaneously.
For professionals that already have TOGAF 9 certification, it offers a bridging path Currently, it is not for the foundation level, just for the certificated only with the part 1 and part 2.
Several certification credentials are introduced, each targeting specific skills and competencies. These include Agile Specialist, Digital Specialist, and Enterprise Architecture Leader. These credentials are designed for shorter, focused learning modules.
The relevance of TOGAF Series Guides to the exams is determined by the specific body of knowledge or syllabus for each certification or credential. The body of knowledge outlines which documents are relevant to the exams.
The Open Group aims to evolve the standards and certifications to keep pace with industry changes while maintaining flexibility.
Leader: Enterprise Architects who must understand how to establish an EA Capability based on best practices. Prerequisite: TOGAF Foundation or Above
Digital Specialist: Enterprise Architecture Who needs to understand how to apply EA and TOGAF Standard to support Digital Enterprise. Prerequisite: TOGAF Foundation or Above
Agile Specialist: Enterprise Architects who must understand how to adapt and use the TOGAF framework to support an Agile Enterprise. Prerequisite: TOGAF Foundation or Above
Conclusion
In conclusion, TOGAF 10 represents an evolutionary step in enterprise architecture, with several fundamental changes that aim to enhance usability and content while keeping the core structure intact.
TOGAF 10 simplifies and streamlines the certification process, offering specialization credentials and a bridging path for TOGAF 9 certified professionals.
This update places significant emphasis on organizational transformation and encourages Agile and DevOps methodologies, reflecting the evolving landscape of enterprise architecture practices.
With TOGAF 10, the Open Group aims to make the framework more accessible, adaptable, and aligned with industry best practices, ensuring its relevance and effectiveness in a rapidly changing business environment.
References
First, one critical guide to getting started is “An Introduction to the TOGAF Standard, 10th edition,” where you can see the motivation, revisions, new additions, how to use it, and so on.
The TOGAF 9.2 documentation:
The TOGAF 10 documentation:
The certification portfolio:
Tiago Dias Generoso is a Distinguished IT Architect | Senior SRE | Master Inventor based in Pocos de Caldas, Brazil. The above article is personal and does not necessarily represent the employer’s positions, strategies or opinions.
