Architecture Vision Inputs and Outputs - TOGAF 10 Foundation Guide

Architecture Vision Inputs and Outputs in TOGAF 10

Why This Topic is Important

Understanding Architecture Vision Inputs and Outputs is critical for TOGAF 10 Foundation certification because it forms the foundation of the entire ADM (Architecture Development Method) process. The Architecture Vision phase is the gateway phase that transforms business requirements into architectural direction. Without mastering this topic, you cannot effectively navigate the preliminary phase and the broader ADM cycle.

In real-world enterprise architecture practice, correctly identifying inputs and producing appropriate outputs determines whether an architecture initiative succeeds or fails. Poor inputs lead to misaligned architectures, while inadequate outputs cause stakeholder confusion and implementation challenges.

What Architecture Vision Inputs and Outputs Are

Definition

The Architecture Vision phase is the second phase of the ADM (after Preliminary). It takes various organizational inputs and produces a high-level vision of the target architecture. Inputs and outputs are the information artifacts that flow in and out of this phase.

Architecture Vision Inputs - Core Categories

Strategic Inputs:

• Business strategy and objectives from executive leadership
• Business goals and desired business outcomes
• Strategic initiatives and transformation programs
• Business drivers that motivate the architecture work
• External constraints and market conditions

Organizational Inputs:

• Organization structure and governance frameworks
• Request for Architecture Work (formal request to initiate architecture work)
• Stakeholder expectations and concerns
• Enterprise Architecture Framework knowledge (such as reference models)
• Policies, standards, and guidelines established in the Preliminary phase

Technical Inputs:

• Current architecture documentation (as-is state)
• Asset inventories and technology baselines
• System requirements and application portfolios
• Technical standards and constraints
• Infrastructure documentation

Architecture Vision Outputs - Core Deliverables

Primary Outputs:

• Architecture Vision Document: The cornerstone output that describes the target architecture at a high level, including key requirements, architecture principles, and a clear vision statement
• Business Scenarios: Detailed descriptions of how the business will operate under the target architecture, demonstrating value realization
• Architecture Principles: Fundamental rules and guidelines that will govern architecture decisions throughout the ADM
• Refined Scope and Constraints: Clear delineation of what is in scope and what constraints apply

Supporting Outputs:

• Architecture work packages (initial breakdown of work)
• Risk assessment and mitigation strategies
• Stakeholder buy-in and approval documentation
• Architecture roadmap overview
• Gap analysis results (preliminary)

How It Works - The Process Flow

Step 1: Gather Strategic Inputs

The Architecture Vision phase begins by collecting business strategy documents, executive directives, and strategic plans. Architects must understand why the architecture work is being initiated—what business problem is being solved?

Step 2: Engage Stakeholders

Early engagement with key stakeholders (executives, business leaders, technical teams) is essential. This identifies constraints, requirements, and expectations that will shape the vision.

Step 3: Define Architecture Scope

Based on inputs, the team defines what is in scope and what is not. This is critical for managing expectations and resources.

Step 4: Develop Architecture Vision

The team synthesizes all inputs to create a coherent, compelling vision of the future state. This vision must be:

• Aligned with business strategy
• Achievable within constraints
• Compelling to stakeholders
• Clear and understandable to diverse audiences

Step 5: Document Outputs

All outputs are formally documented in the Architecture Vision Document and supporting artifacts. These outputs become contracts with stakeholders about what the architecture initiative will deliver.

Step 6: Secure Approval

Outputs must be reviewed and approved by governance bodies and key stakeholders before proceeding to subsequent phases.

Key Relationships and Context

Relationship to Preliminary Phase: The Preliminary phase establishes the framework, governance, and principles that constrain the Architecture Vision work.

Relationship to Phase A (Requirements Management): Architecture Vision outputs flow into later phases where they are decomposed into detailed requirements.

Relationship to Business Architecture: The vision should articulate how business processes will operate under the target architecture.

How to Answer Exam Questions on This Topic

Question Type 1: Identifying Correct Inputs

Strategy: Look for options that represent strategic business information, not detailed technical specifications. Remember that inputs should explain why the architecture work is being done.

Common Wrong Answers:

• Overly detailed technical specifications (these belong in later phases)
• Internal IT-only documents without business context
• Architecture diagrams or detailed implementation plans (these are outputs of later phases)

Example Approach: If asked "Which of the following is an input to Architecture Vision?", select answers that represent business strategy, organizational objectives, or high-level requirements.

Question Type 2: Identifying Correct Outputs

Strategy: Look for high-level, strategic documents that provide vision and direction. Key words to recognize:

• Architecture Vision Document
• Business Scenarios
• Refined Scope
• Architecture Principles
• Stakeholder Sign-off

Common Wrong Answers:

• Detailed design documents (these are outputs from later phases like Design Phases)
• Implementation plans (these belong in Implementation Governance)
• Code or system specifications (too detailed)

Question Type 3: Sequencing and Dependencies

Strategy: Remember the sequence:

• Preliminary → Provides framework
• Architecture Vision (A) → Takes inputs, produces vision and outputs
• Business Architecture (B) → Detailed business processes
• Information Systems Architecture (C & D) → Detailed technical architecture

When asked about what comes before or after Architecture Vision outputs, use this sequence.

Question Type 4: Purpose and Value Questions

Strategy: Focus on alignment and stakeholder communication. The primary purpose of Architecture Vision outputs is to:

• Align architecture work with business strategy
• Gain stakeholder buy-in and approval
• Establish clear direction for subsequent architecture phases
• Define scope and constraints

Answer approach: Select options emphasizing business alignment, stakeholder agreement, and providing clear direction.

Question Type 5: Scenario-Based Questions

Strategy: Read carefully and identify the phase context. If the question describes:

• Just receiving business strategy → Architecture Vision inputs phase
• Creating high-level vision document → Architecture Vision outputs phase
• Detailed technical design → Later phases (C, D, E)
• Implementation → Implementation Governance phase

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Architecture Vision Inputs and Outputs

Tip 1: Remember "Why Before What"

Inputs explain why architecture work is needed (business drivers, strategy). Outputs explain what the target architecture will deliver (vision, scope, direction). When unsure about a question, ask: "Does this explain the business reason (input) or does it describe the target state (output)?"

Tip 2: Distinguish Between Levels of Detail

TOGAF architecture work progresses from high-level strategic to increasingly detailed. Architecture Vision is at the highest, most strategic level. If an option is too detailed (specific systems, components, deployment details), it's likely from a later phase.

Tip 3: Look for Stakeholder-Centric Language

Architecture Vision inputs and outputs emphasize stakeholder alignment, agreement, and approval. If an answer mentions "stakeholder buy-in," "business alignment," or "executive approval," it's likely correct for Architecture Vision questions.

Tip 4: Recognize Key Output Documents

Memorize the primary outputs:

• Architecture Vision Document (primary)
• Refined Scope Statement
• Business Scenarios
• Architecture Principles
• Preliminary Business/IT Plans

When an exam question asks about Architecture Vision outputs, look for these specific deliverables.

Tip 5: Use Process Elimination

If you see an answer that's clearly from another phase (like "data models" from Phase C or "implementation procedures" from Phase E), eliminate it immediately. Architecture Vision is about vision and direction, not detailed design or implementation.

Tip 6: Pay Attention to "Before" and "After" Questions

When questions ask "What comes before X?" or "What is needed to produce X?", think of Architecture Vision inputs as prerequisites (Preliminary phase output, business strategy) and outputs as prerequisites for later phases (Business and IS Architecture phases).

Tip 7: Remember the Business Drivers Connection

Questions often connect business drivers (an input) to architectural principles or scope constraints (outputs). If you see "business drivers" in a question, recognize it as an input concept that drives the vision.

Tip 8: Understand Stakeholder Analysis Context

Questions may ask about stakeholder expectations. Remember:

• Identifying stakeholders and their expectations = input gathering
• Documenting stakeholder agreement on the vision = output validation

Tip 9: Watch for Scope-Related Questions

Many exam questions focus on scope. Remember:

• Initial scope comes in as an input (from Request for Architecture Work)
• Refined scope is an output (clarified and agreed upon)
• Scope statements define what IS and IS NOT included

Tip 10: Practice with Realistic Scenarios

The best exam preparation involves realistic scenarios. Practice questions that describe situations like:

• "A company wants to undergo digital transformation. What would be the first set of inputs to the Architecture Vision phase?"
• "After completing Architecture Vision, what document should be approved by the steering committee?"
• "The CFO has identified cost reduction as a key business driver. This would be reflected in which Architecture Vision output?"

Summary Table of Key Concepts

Final Examination Strategy

When facing an exam question on Architecture Vision Inputs and Outputs:

1. Identify the question type - Is it asking about inputs, outputs, or the relationship between them?
2. Check the phase context - Confirm the question is about Architecture Vision (Phase A) and not another phase
3. Apply the "why vs. what" filter - Does the answer explain why (input) or what (output)?
4. Verify the level of detail - Is it appropriately high-level and strategic?
5. Consider stakeholder perspective - Does it align with managing stakeholder expectations and gaining agreement?
6. Eliminate clearly wrong phases - Remove answers that clearly belong to other ADM phases
7. Select the most strategic option - When in doubt, choose the answer that is most strategic and least detailed

By mastering this foundational topic, you'll build confidence for questions on all subsequent ADM phases, as they all depend on Architecture Vision outputs as their starting point.