Creating the Architecture Vision - TOGAF 10 Foundation Guide

Creating the Architecture Vision - TOGAF 10 Foundation Guide

The Architecture Vision phase is a critical component of the TOGAF ADM (Architecture Development Method) Preliminary and Vision phases. This guide will help you understand its importance, components, processes, and how to excel in exam questions related to this topic.

Why is Creating the Architecture Vision Important?

Creating the Architecture Vision is essential for several reasons:

• Stakeholder Alignment: It provides a clear, high-level understanding of the proposed architecture to all stakeholders, ensuring everyone has a shared vision and understanding of the direction.
• Business Case Development: It establishes the foundation for developing a compelling business case that justifies the investment in the architecture project.
• Scope Definition: It clarifies the scope and boundaries of the architecture work, defining what is included and what is excluded.
• Risk Mitigation: Early identification of stakeholder concerns and architectural risks allows for proactive management.
• Project Governance: It establishes the governance framework and decision-making authority for the architecture project.
• Strategic Alignment: It ensures the architecture initiative aligns with business strategy and organizational goals.

What is the Architecture Vision?

The Architecture Vision is a high-level, executive summary of the proposed architecture changes. It represents:

• A concise description of the target architecture at a strategic level
• The key business drivers and requirements that the architecture addresses
• The baseline (current state) and target (future state) architectures
• The expected benefits and outcomes of implementing the architecture
• High-level stakeholder views and concerns
• The governance and organizational structure for architecture implementation

The Architecture Vision is typically presented as a document or presentation that can be understood by executive leadership and business stakeholders without requiring deep technical knowledge.

How Does Creating the Architecture Vision Work?

The Architecture Vision creation follows a structured process within the ADM framework:

Phase A: Architecture Vision

Phase A of the ADM specifically focuses on creating the Architecture Vision. Here's how it works:

Step 1: Establish the Architecture Project

• Define the architecture project scope and objectives
• Identify key stakeholders and their concerns
• Establish the architecture team and governance structure
• Secure executive sponsorship and commitment

Step 2: Identify Stakeholders, Concerns, and Business Requirements

• Conduct stakeholder analysis to identify all relevant parties
• Document stakeholder concerns and expectations
• Gather business requirements that drive the architecture initiative
• Identify constraints and assumptions

Step 3: Confirm Business Objectives and Goals

• Align architecture objectives with business strategy
• Establish clear, measurable goals and success criteria
• Define key performance indicators (KPIs) for measuring success
• Identify the business drivers: mergers and acquisitions, technology changes, regulatory requirements, etc.

Step 4: Define Baseline and Target Architectures

• Baseline Architecture: Document the current state of the enterprise architecture, including systems, processes, and organizational structure.
• Target Architecture: Define the desired future state that addresses business requirements and strategic goals.

Step 5: Identify Architecture Principles

• Establish guiding principles that will govern architectural decisions
• Examples include: scalability, security, interoperability, cost-effectiveness
• Ensure principles align with organizational culture and strategy

Step 6: Develop the Architecture Vision Document

• Consolidate findings into a comprehensive Architecture Vision document
• Include executive summary, business drivers, stakeholder analysis, baseline/target architecture overview
• Document assumptions, constraints, and risks
• Define high-level implementation approach and timeline

Step 7: Obtain Stakeholder Consensus and Approval

• Present the Architecture Vision to key stakeholders
• Address concerns and incorporate feedback
• Secure formal approval and sign-off from executive leadership
• Establish governance and decision-making structures

Key Artifacts and Deliverables

Creating the Architecture Vision produces several important artifacts:

• Architecture Vision Document: High-level executive summary of proposed architecture
• Business Drivers and Requirements: Documented business case and justification
• Stakeholder Map: Identification and analysis of key stakeholders
• Baseline Architecture Overview: Current state of the enterprise
• Target Architecture Overview: Future desired state
• Architecture Principles: Guiding rules for architectural decisions
• Project Charter: Formal authorization and scope definition
• Risk Register: Identification of potential risks and mitigation strategies

How to Answer Exam Questions on Creating the Architecture Vision

Common Question Types

Exam questions about Creating the Architecture Vision typically fall into these categories:

Type 1: Definition and Purpose Questions

Example: What is the primary purpose of the Architecture Vision phase?

How to Answer:

• Focus on stakeholder alignment and obtaining buy-in
• Emphasize the importance of documenting business drivers and requirements
• Highlight that it establishes scope and governance
• Remember that it's a high-level, executive-oriented view

Type 2: Process and Sequence Questions

Example: Which of the following should be completed BEFORE developing the Architecture Vision document?

How to Answer:

• Remember the logical sequence: establish project → identify stakeholders → confirm business objectives → define baseline/target → identify principles → develop vision → obtain approval
• Look for dependencies and prerequisites
• Think about what information is needed before writing the vision document

Type 3: Stakeholder and Governance Questions

Example: Which group should be involved in approving the Architecture Vision?

How to Answer:

• Consider that stakeholders include both business and technical leaders
• Remember that executive sponsorship is crucial
• Include representatives from key departments or business units affected
• Ensure governance structures are established

Type 4: Artifact and Documentation Questions

Example: What information should be included in the Architecture Vision document?

How to Answer:

• Include executive summary and business drivers
• Document baseline and target architecture overviews (high-level)
• Include stakeholder analysis and concerns
• Add assumptions, constraints, and risks
• Remember it should be understandable to non-technical stakeholders

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Creating the Architecture Vision

Tip 1: Remember the Strategic Nature

Key Concept: The Architecture Vision is strategic and executive-focused, not technical detail.

• When answering questions, focus on high-level business alignment rather than technical implementation details
• If a question asks about the vision document, remember it should be accessible to business stakeholders
• Avoid choosing answers that emphasize technical specifications over business value

Tip 2: Understand Stakeholder Focus

Key Concept: Stakeholder identification, analysis, and consensus are central to this phase.

• When questions mention stakeholders, think about their concerns, expectations, and the need for alignment
• Remember that different stakeholders have different concerns (technical vs. business)
• Look for answers that emphasize communication, consensus, and buy-in
• Recognize that stakeholder approval is a critical success factor

Tip 3: Know the Baseline and Target Architecture Relationship

Key Concept: The vision clearly defines both the current state (baseline) and desired future state (target).

• Understand that baseline architecture represents the current enterprise state
• Target architecture represents the desired future state after architecture implementation
• The gap between baseline and target drives the architecture work
• Both should be described at a high, conceptual level in the vision

Tip 4: Emphasize Business Drivers

Key Concept: Business drivers are the fundamental reasons for the architecture initiative.

• Common business drivers include: mergers/acquisitions, regulatory compliance, cost reduction, technology modernization, competitive advantage
• When answering questions, remember that all architecture work must be justified by business drivers
• If a question asks why something is done in this phase, the answer often relates to understanding or documenting business drivers

Tip 5: Recognize the Governance Establishment

Key Concept: This phase establishes the governance and decision-making structure for the architecture project.

• Governance includes roles, responsibilities, decision authorities, and approval processes
• When questions ask about authority or decision-making in architecture, remember it's established in this phase
• Look for answers mentioning architecture review boards, steering committees, or similar governance bodies

Tip 6: Understand Architecture Principles

Key Concept: Architecture Principles are established to guide all future architectural decisions.

• Principles are high-level, enduring rules that apply across the enterprise
• They help ensure consistency and alignment in architecture work
• Examples include: security first, open standards, modular design, cost efficiency
• When questions ask about guiding the architecture work, principles are key

Tip 7: Know the Document Purpose and Audience

Key Concept: The Architecture Vision is executive-oriented and must communicate value to non-technical stakeholders.

• If a question asks what should or shouldn't be in the vision, remember it's a strategic, high-level document
• Detailed technical specifications belong in later phases, not the vision
• The vision should focus on business benefits, strategic alignment, and high-level approach
• Language should be business-friendly, not overly technical

Tip 8: Remember the Approval Process

Key Concept: Formal approval and sign-off from executive leadership is a critical deliverable of this phase.

• When questions ask about completion criteria, remember that approval is essential
• Without approval, the architecture project doesn't have the mandate to proceed
• Multiple stakeholder groups may need to approve different aspects

Tip 9: Connect to Business Case Development

Key Concept: The Architecture Vision provides the foundation for developing a business case.

• The vision articulates the problem, opportunity, and proposed solution
• This enables the development of financial justification and ROI analysis
• If a question connects vision to business case, remember the vision comes first and enables the business case

Tip 10: Watch for Red Herrings

Common Red Herring Examples:

• Detailed technical specifications - Vision is high-level, not technical detail
• Complete implementation plans - Vision describes approach, not detailed steps
• All data models or system designs - These belong in detailed architecture phases
• Exclude stakeholders - All key stakeholders should be included and engaged
• Skip approval process - Approval is mandatory and essential

Tip 11: Practice Question Patterns

Common Question Patterns to Watch For:

• Pattern 1: "Which of the following is a PRIMARY purpose..." → Look for strategic, business-focused answers
• Pattern 2: "Who should be involved in..." → Think stakeholder identification and governance
• Pattern 3: "What should be included in the Architecture Vision document..." → Focus on high-level, executive-appropriate content
• Pattern 4: "In what sequence should..." → Remember the logical flow of phase activities
• Pattern 5: "Which artifact is produced..." → Know the key deliverables

Tip 12: Study the Relationship to Other Phases

Key Relationships:

• Preliminary Phase: Sets up the framework; Vision phase uses this framework
• Phase B (Business Architecture): Takes the vision and develops detailed business architecture
• Phase C (Information Systems Architecture): Builds on the vision for data and application architecture
• Phase D (Technology Architecture): Builds on the vision for technology strategy
• Understanding these relationships helps answer context-dependent questions

Sample Exam Questions and Answers

Sample Question 1

Question: What is the primary objective of Phase A: Architecture Vision in the TOGAF ADM?

A) To develop detailed technical specifications for all systems
B) To develop a high-level vision that gains stakeholder alignment and establishes scope
C) To implement the new architecture across the enterprise
D) To conduct detailed security assessments of current systems

Answer: B
Explanation: Phase A focuses on creating a high-level, executive-oriented vision that gains stakeholder alignment and clearly defines the scope of the architecture initiative. Options A, C, and D are either too detailed, too premature, or not the primary purpose of the vision phase.

Sample Question 2

Question: Which of the following should be completed BEFORE developing the Architecture Vision document?

A) Detailed system design and implementation planning
B) Identification of stakeholders and confirmation of business objectives
C) Complete migration planning
D) Procurement of new technology infrastructure

Answer: B
Explanation: Before developing the vision document, you must identify stakeholders and understand their concerns, and confirm the business objectives that drive the architecture work. The other options are either premature (occurring after the vision is approved) or not directly related to vision development.

Sample Question 3

Question: What should be the primary focus of the Architecture Vision document to ensure it achieves stakeholder buy-in?

A) Detailed database schemas and data models
B) Complete system implementation procedures
C) Business drivers, strategic alignment, and expected benefits
D) Specific vendor product selections and configurations

Answer: C
Explanation: The vision document should focus on business drivers, how the architecture aligns with strategy, and the benefits stakeholders can expect. This business-focused approach is what achieves executive and stakeholder buy-in. Technical details are inappropriate for this high-level document.

Conclusion

Creating the Architecture Vision is a foundational phase in the TOGAF ADM that establishes the strategic direction, secures stakeholder alignment, and provides the foundation for all subsequent architecture work. Success in exam questions about this topic requires understanding:

• The strategic, high-level nature of the vision
• The critical importance of stakeholder engagement and approval
• The relationship between business drivers and architectural direction
• The artifacts and deliverables produced
• The governance framework established in this phase

By focusing on business alignment, stakeholder engagement, and strategic clarity rather than technical details, and by understanding the logical flow of activities within the phase, you'll be well-prepared to answer any exam question about Creating the Architecture Vision.