Developing Baseline and Target Technology Architecture in TOGAF 10 Foundation

Developing Baseline and Target Technology Architecture in TOGAF 10 Foundation

Why This Is Important

Developing baseline and target technology architecture is crucial in the TOGAF ADM because it:

• Establishes the current state: The baseline architecture provides a clear picture of existing technology infrastructure, systems, and capabilities
• Defines the desired future state: The target architecture describes what the organization wants to achieve technologically
• Creates a roadmap: Understanding the gap between baseline and target enables organizations to plan migrations and transformations
• Guides investment decisions: It helps stakeholders prioritize resources and funding for technology improvements
• Manages risk: Clear visibility of both states helps identify potential issues and dependencies during transition
• Supports business objectives: The technology architecture must align with and support the organization's business goals

What Is Baseline and Target Technology Architecture?

Baseline Technology Architecture

The baseline technology architecture is a description of the current state of the organization's technology environment. It includes:

• Existing technology platforms: Hardware, software, databases, and infrastructure components currently in use
• Current systems and applications: All deployed systems and their interdependencies
• Technology standards: Current technology standards, protocols, and specifications being followed
• Infrastructure components: Networks, storage, servers, and other infrastructure elements
• Technology capabilities: What the current technology environment can and cannot do
• Technical constraints: Limitations, legacy systems, and technical debt

Target Technology Architecture

The target technology architecture is a description of the desired future state of the organization's technology environment. It includes:

• Planned technology platforms: Desired hardware, software, and infrastructure solutions
• Future systems and applications: New systems planned for implementation and modernized existing systems
• Desired technology standards: Standards and specifications the organization wants to adopt
• Future infrastructure: Modern infrastructure to support business requirements
• Enhanced capabilities: New capabilities the organization needs to achieve its business objectives
• Technology roadmap: Strategic direction for technology evolution

How It Works

Phase B: Business Architecture Context

Before developing the technology architecture, Phase B establishes the business context, including:

• Business objectives and strategy
• Business capabilities needed
• Organizational structure and governance

Phase C: Information Systems Architectures

Phase C is divided into:

• Phase C1: Data Architecture - Information and data flow requirements
• Phase C2: Application Architecture - Business applications needed
• Phase C3: Technology Architecture - Technology infrastructure to support applications and data

Step-by-Step Process for Developing Baseline and Target Technology Architecture

1. Define Scope and Objectives

• Clarify what technology architecture elements will be covered
• Identify stakeholders and their concerns
• Establish architecture principles and constraints

2. Identify Architecture Reference Models and Viewpoints

• Use TOGAF Reference Models as starting points
• Select appropriate viewpoints for stakeholders (e.g., infrastructure, platform, deployment)
• Choose from TOGAF's Technology Reference Model (TRM) categories: Infrastructure, Software, and Communications

3. Develop Baseline Technology Architecture

• Conduct detailed inventory of current technology assets
• Document existing systems, platforms, and infrastructure
• Identify technical standards and protocols in use
• Map current capabilities and constraints
• Create baseline architecture diagrams showing components and relationships
• Document technical debt and legacy system issues

4. Develop Target Technology Architecture

• Determine future technology requirements based on business needs
• Select target technology standards and platforms
• Identify new technologies to be adopted
• Design future infrastructure to support applications and data
• Create target architecture diagrams showing desired components
• Ensure alignment with application and data architectures

5. Perform Gap Analysis

• Compare baseline and target architectures
• Identify technology transformation initiatives needed
• Prioritize changes based on business value and risk
• Document dependencies and sequencing

6. Define Migration Strategy

• Create a roadmap from baseline to target state
• Identify transition architectures if needed
• Plan implementation approach (phased, big-bang, etc.)
• Consider parallel running and fallback strategies

7. Validate and Obtain Approval

• Review with stakeholders and architects
• Ensure alignment with business objectives
• Obtain governance approval
• Document assumptions and constraints

Key Artifacts Produced

• Technology Architecture Diagrams: Visual representations of infrastructure components
• Technology Standards Document: Approved technologies and standards
• Architecture Principles: Guiding rules for technology decisions
• Gap Analysis Report: Differences between baseline and target
• Migration Plan: Steps to move from baseline to target
• Technology Portfolio: Complete inventory of technology assets

How to Answer Exam Questions on Developing Baseline and Target Technology Architecture

Common Question Types

1. Definition and Purpose Questions

Example: What is the primary purpose of developing a baseline technology architecture?

Answer Strategy: Focus on understanding the current state. Key points to mention:

• Documents existing technology infrastructure
• Provides starting point for transformation
• Identifies current capabilities and constraints
• Serves as reference for gap analysis

2. Comparison Questions

Example: What is the difference between baseline and target technology architecture?

Answer Strategy: Clearly distinguish between the two:

• Baseline: Current state, as-is, describes what exists now
• Target: Future state, to-be, describes desired end state
• The gap between them drives transformation initiatives

3. Process and Sequence Questions

Example: In what sequence should you develop baseline and target technology architectures?

Answer Strategy: Remember the logical order:

• Always develop baseline BEFORE target
• You must understand the current state before designing the future state
• Baseline provides the starting point for comparison

4. Integration and Alignment Questions

Example: How does technology architecture relate to application and data architectures?

Answer Strategy: Explain the relationships:

• Technology architecture provides the infrastructure foundation for applications
• Technology components must support application requirements
• Technology must enable data architecture needs
• All three are developed in parallel during Phase C
• Technology decisions are driven by application and data requirements

5. Gap Analysis and Migration Questions

Example: What happens after you've developed both baseline and target technology architectures?

Answer Strategy: Focus on the next steps:

• Perform gap analysis to identify differences
• Create migration strategy
• Define transition architectures if needed
• Prioritize transformation initiatives
• Plan implementation approach

6. Stakeholder and Viewpoint Questions

Example: Who should be involved in developing technology architecture, and what viewpoints are important?

Answer Strategy: Consider multiple perspectives:

• Stakeholders: Infrastructure teams, application teams, security, operations, business leaders
• Viewpoints: Infrastructure view, platform view, deployment view, security view, operations view
• Different stakeholders need different architectural viewpoints

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Developing Baseline and Target Technology Architecture

Tip 1: Remember the Sequence
Always remember that baseline comes before target. In exam questions about sequencing, if you see baseline and target mentioned, baseline is always the first step. This is the most fundamental principle.

Tip 2: Use the Terminology Correctly
Use precise language in your answers:

• Say "baseline (as-is)" and "target (to-be)" when appropriate
• Use "current state" instead of "old state"
• Use "desired future state" instead of "new state"
• Refer to "technology components" rather than just "systems"

Tip 3: Connect to Business Context
In your answers, always tie technology architecture decisions to business requirements:

• Technology architecture must support business objectives
• Target architecture is driven by future business needs
• Gap analysis helps prioritize business-aligned investments

Tip 4: Understand the Three-Architecture Model
Remember that technology architecture is one of three parallel work streams in Phase C:

• Phase C1: Data Architecture
• Phase C2: Application Architecture
• Phase C3: Technology Architecture

Technology architecture must support both data and application architectures. If a question asks how they relate, remember this hierarchy: Business requirements → Application requirements → Technology requirements

Tip 5: Know the Key Artifacts
Be familiar with the main outputs of developing baseline and target technology architecture:

• Architecture diagrams (infrastructure, deployment, etc.)
• Technology standards and decisions
• Gap analysis report
• Migration strategy
• Architecture principles

Tip 6: Understand the Gap Analysis Concept
Many questions revolve around the purpose of comparing baseline and target. Remember:

• Gap analysis identifies transformation initiatives
• Gap analysis determines what needs to change
• Gap analysis enables prioritization and sequencing of changes
• Gap analysis informs the migration strategy

Tip 7: Don't Confuse with ADM Phases
Remember where technology architecture fits:

• Phase A: Architecture Vision
• Phase B: Business Architecture
• Phase C: Information Systems Architectures (includes Technology)
• Phase D: Technology Architecture (Wait - this is NOT right in TOGAF 10)

In TOGAF 10, Phase C is where you develop both application AND technology architectures. Phase D is opportunities and solutions.

Tip 8: Consider Multiple Viewpoints
When asked about developing technology architecture, remember that you need:

• Multiple viewpoints for different stakeholders
• Infrastructure perspective (hardware, networks, storage)
• Platform perspective (middleware, databases, servers)
• Deployment perspective (how systems are deployed)
• Security perspective (security infrastructure)

Tip 9: Watch for "Which of the Following" Questions
If you encounter multiple-choice questions, look for answers that mention:

• Understanding the current state for baseline
• Designing the future state for target
• The need for gap analysis between them
• Supporting business objectives
• Involving relevant stakeholders

Avoid answers that:

• Suggest developing target without baseline first
• Focus only on technology without business context
• Ignore stakeholder involvement
• Skip gap analysis

Tip 10: Practice Scenario-Based Questions
TOGAF exams often use scenarios. For technology architecture questions:

• First, identify what the business objective is
• Then determine what the current technology can do
• Next, identify what future technology is needed
• Finally, plan the migration path

Tip 11: Remember the Role of Architecture Principles
Technology architecture development involves establishing principles such as:

• Standardization
• Interoperability
• Scalability
• Security
• Cost-effectiveness

These principles guide decisions about both baseline and target architecture.

Tip 12: Understand Reference Models
TOGAF provides the Technology Reference Model (TRM) which includes:

• Infrastructure Categories: Computing, Storage, Networking
• Software Categories: Operating Systems, Middleware, Applications
• Communications Categories: Protocols and standards

Use these categories as a framework when describing technology architecture components in your exam answers.

Summary

Developing baseline and target technology architecture is a critical activity in the TOGAF ADM that:

• Establishes where the organization is technologically (baseline)
• Defines where it wants to be (target)
• Identifies the gap between the two states
• Enables planning for transformation and migration
• Ensures technology investments align with business objectives
• Provides a roadmap for technology evolution

To excel in exam questions on this topic, focus on understanding the sequence, the relationships between baseline and target, the importance of gap analysis, and how technology architecture supports business objectives while enabling application and data architectures.