Introduction
The structure and operation of an organization are described by its enterprise architecture. It is used to manage all IT assets and resources within the company. This architecture provides a better understanding of the IT landscape. The way a company uses its enterprise architecture determines its potential to meet objectives in the future.
But a proper framework is required to manage and design the enterprise architecture (EA) of a company. This is where TOGAF comes in. It helps companies design and maintain their EA correctly. In addition, TOGAF training helps employees design an IT strategy for their company.
In this article, we will learn about the basics of TOGAF and its importance in enterprise architecture.
What is Enterprise Architecture?
Before learning about TOGAF, we need to understand what enterprise architecture is all about. EA can be defined as a practice of business analytics design, analysis, planning, and implementation. This helps companies execute their business strategies. EA helps companies structure all of their IT assets, policies, and projects to successfully achieve their desired business results.
A company’s business requirements guide its EA. EA lays out the technique of how technology, business and information can work together. In this technology-driven age, EA is extremely important as companies have to use and cope with the latest technologies such as cloud computing, machine learning, data science, and IoT.
Each company has its unique EA, but still, there are some commonalities. The 4 important layers of enterprise architecture are:
This domain defines the organizational structure and its vision. This domain describes the strategies and objectives that enable the company to deliver products and services. The people in the company who are executing trading strategies are mentioned here.
This domain describes the different applications and their interactions within the enterprise. The relationship between these applications and core business processes is also defined in this domain. The domain also addresses how the capabilities and services defined above are implemented.
The data architecture domain defines the structure of an enterprise’s logical and physical data assets. The domain emphasizes the importance of data analysis to understand customers. This insight gained from data analysis will help companies improve their business strategies and processes.
This defines the software and hardware required to implement application services within the organization. EA is important for IT management, system development, IT risk management, decision making, detection of security breaches and potential system failures. The main benefits of enterprise architecture are:
- The company can assess the existing IT infrastructure and how it can help them achieve their goals
- Better collaboration between various business units and the IT infrastructure
- Provides a better view of the IT architecture and the business units outside of it.
- EA provides a benchmarking framework to compare current business standards with those of other companies.
- Help in cybersecurity and data protection.
What is TOGAF?
TOGAF (The Open Group Architecture Framework) is a very popular enterprise architecture framework. It primarily helps companies manage and align their IT goals with their business goals. The framework was developed by The Open Group in 1995, and by 2016, most of the Fortune 500 companies were using it. Companies can use TOGAF for free internally, but it is not free for commercial purposes.
TOGAF helps companies define their requirements before starting a project. This systematic approach helps you meet deadlines, reduce errors, and stay on budget. Such a framework is essential when an organization plans to implement major change.
TOGAF Pillars
The TOGAF architecture pillars help organizations use technology in a structured way so that it is always aligned with their business goals. The main pillars of the TOGAF framework are:
The complete architecture is divided into 4 subdomains:
- business architecture
- Application architecture
- data architecture
- Technical architecture
This model makes use of performance engineering to create an enterprise architecture. It can be customized according to the requirements of the company. After architecture development, it can be delivered to all teams within the organization in iterative cycles. This reduces the chances of errors.
The ADM helps companies analyze their current state and compare it with their long-term goals.
This can be thought of as a virtual repository of all architectural assets such as architectural descriptions, models, and patterns. You also have options for classifying solutions and architectural artifacts.
Importance of TOGAF in enterprise architecture
In any organization, TOGAF handles all aspects of enterprise architecture such as EA planning, design, management, and implementation. The importance of TOGAF is highlighted in the points mentioned below:
TOGAF is an enterprise architecture framework that was developed in collaboration with many expert professionals. It has gone through many revisions, updates, and modifications to keep up with EA’s current industry standards. This makes it relevant and a key element for all companies around the world.
TOGAF is very flexible in nature and can be used in conjunction with other industry standards. Companies can keep their existing frameworks and implement TOGAF as well. Other EA frameworks such as DODAF and FEA can be used with a custom TOGAF version.
The TOGAF ADM methodology consists of sub-processes such as Architecture Context, Transition Planning, Architecture Governance, and Architecture Delivery. This iterative methodology has made TOGAF popular for enterprise architecture development.
Need for TOGAF training and certification
If you are an enterprise architect or want to get a job in that department, it is vital that you are aware of TOGAF as it is the world’s leading EA framework. Getting certified will open up many job opportunities for you. Since it is an industry-recognized certification, you can start applying to many organizations.
If you want to level up your career, earning a TOGAF certification will equip you with the administrative and technical aspects of enterprise architecture. The Open Group offers two TOGAF certifications: TOGAF Level 1 Certification and TOGAF Level 2 Certification.
TOGAF certified enterprise architects earn an average salary of 50,000 to 2,50,000 per year in India.
Conclusion
TOGAF has helped companies improve their businesses by reducing IT development and operation costs. Project management has been simplified. As more and more companies adopt TOGAF, now is the best time to get TOGAF training for a brilliant career in enterprise architecture.
Categories: Technology
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
