TOGAF Documentation Structure
TOGAF Documentation Structure provides a comprehensive framework for organizing and presenting architecture documentation within enterprises. This structure ensures consistency, clarity, and completeness in architecture artifacts and deliverables. The documentation structure consists of several key… TOGAF Documentation Structure provides a comprehensive framework for organizing and presenting architecture documentation within enterprises. This structure ensures consistency, clarity, and completeness in architecture artifacts and deliverables. The documentation structure consists of several key components that work together to create a complete architectural picture. First, the Architecture Repository serves as the central repository storing all architecture-related information, models, and artifacts. It contains reusable architecture components, patterns, and standards that guide architecture development. Second, Architecture Artifacts are specific documents and models created during architecture development, including architecture definitions, baseline architectures, and target architectures. These artifacts capture the current and desired states of the enterprise. Third, Architecture Views and Viewpoints organize information for different stakeholders. Views present specific perspectives of the architecture, while viewpoints define the structure and content of those views. Fourth, Architecture Deliverables are formal outputs provided to stakeholders at specific project milestones. These include executive summaries, architecture roadmaps, and implementation plans. The documentation structure also emphasizes the importance of Architecture Content Metamodel, which defines the structure and relationships of architecture content. This ensures standardization across all documentation. Additionally, the structure includes References and Guidelines that support consistency in architecture work. Architecture Documentation should address multiple dimensions: business, information, application, and technology architectures. Each dimension requires specific documentation elements. The structure supports traceability by linking requirements to architecture decisions and implementation components. This ensures accountability and supports change management. Furthermore, the documentation must be accessible to various stakeholder groups including executives, architects, and technical teams. Different documentation formats cater to different audiences. The TOGAF Documentation Structure ultimately enables organizations to maintain coherent, traceable, and comprehensive architecture documentation that supports decision-making, guides implementation, ensures compliance, and facilitates knowledge management across the enterprise throughout its architectural lifecycle.
TOGAF Documentation Structure: Complete Guide for Foundation Exam
TOGAF Documentation Structure: Complete Guide
Why TOGAF Documentation Structure is Important
Understanding TOGAF documentation structure is fundamental to enterprise architecture practice. It ensures that:
- Architecture artifacts are organized consistently across organizations
- Stakeholders can easily navigate and understand architecture work products
- Communication between architects and business leaders is clear and effective
- Knowledge transfer remains effective when team members change
- Compliance with industry standards and governance frameworks is maintained
- Integration with existing organizational processes is seamless
What is TOGAF Documentation Structure?
TOGAF documentation structure refers to the organized framework for creating, managing, and presenting enterprise architecture artifacts and deliverables. It defines:
- What documents should be created during architecture work
- How documents relate to each other
- When documents should be produced in the architecture development cycle
- Who is responsible for each document
- How documents should be formatted and structured
The TOGAF standard provides a taxonomy of work products, artifacts, and deliverables that serve as the output of the Architecture Development Method (ADM).
Key Components of TOGAF Documentation Structure
1. Work Products
Work products are the tangible outputs created during each phase of the ADM. They include:
- Architecture models (e.g., business process models, data flow diagrams)
- Architecture views (e.g., organizer view, landscape view, detailed view)
- Architecture matrices (e.g., RACI matrices, gap analysis matrices)
- Architecture documents (e.g., architecture narratives, architecture overviews)
2. Artifacts
Artifacts are raw material used to create architecture work products. They may include:
- Catalogs (lists of architecture elements such as applications, data entities, or organizational units)
- Matrices (representations of relationships between architecture elements)
- Diagrams (visual representations of architecture information)
3. Deliverables
Deliverables are formal outputs of the ADM that are reviewed, agreed upon, and signed off by stakeholders. They include:
- Architecture Documents (comprehensive documents describing architecture decisions)
- Architecture Statements of Work (SOWs)
- Request for Architecture Work (RfAW)
- Architecture Compliance Assessments
How TOGAF Documentation Structure Works
The Relationship Between Work Products, Artifacts, and Deliverables
The three elements work together in a hierarchical relationship:
- Artifacts are the building blocks
- Work Products combine artifacts to create meaningful architecture information
- Deliverables package work products for stakeholder review and approval
ADM Phase-Based Documentation
Each phase of the ADM produces specific documentation:
- Phase A (Architecture Vision): Architecture Vision document, Stakeholder Map, Architecture Statement of Work
- Phase B (Business Architecture): Business Architecture models, process diagrams, capability maps
- Phase C (Information Systems Architecture): Data Architecture, Application Architecture diagrams
- Phase D (Technology Architecture): Technology components, infrastructure diagrams
- Phase E (Opportunities and Solutions): Implementation Roadmap, project proposals
- Phase F (Migration Planning): Migration Strategy, detailed migration plans
- Phase G (Implementation Governance): Architecture Compliance documents
- Phase H (Architecture Change Management): Change requests, architecture updates
Architecture Views and Viewpoints
TOGAF defines specific views to organize documentation:
- Organizer View: Showing structure and organization aspects
- Landscape View: Showing the overall context and scope
- Detailed View: Showing specific elements and relationships
- Conformance View: Showing compliance and governance
Documentation Structure Best Practices
- Consistency: Use standard templates across all architecture work
- Traceability: Ensure clear links between requirements, architecture decisions, and implementations
- Accessibility: Make documentation easily discoverable and understandable to stakeholders
- Maintenance: Keep documentation current and relevant throughout the architecture lifecycle
- Version Control: Track changes and maintain document versions
- Tailoring: Adapt the standard structure to organizational context and needs
How to Answer TOGAF Documentation Structure Questions in an Exam
Question Types You'll Encounter
- Definition questions: "What is a work product?"
- Relationship questions: "How do artifacts relate to deliverables?"
- Application questions: "Which deliverable is produced in Phase A?"
- Scenario questions: "In a given situation, what documentation should be created?"
Step-by-Step Approach
Step 1: Identify the Key Concept
- Determine if the question is about work products, artifacts, or deliverables
- Identify which ADM phase is referenced
Step 2: Recall the Definition
- Remember that work products are created during ADM phases
- Remember that artifacts are raw materials (catalogs, matrices, diagrams)
- Remember that deliverables are formal, signed-off outputs
Step 3: Consider the Context
- Think about which phase the question references
- Consider the stakeholders involved
- Reflect on what outputs would be needed at that point
Step 4: Eliminate Wrong Answers
- Eliminate answers that describe different types of documents (e.g., confusing artifacts with deliverables)
- Eliminate answers referencing the wrong ADM phase
- Eliminate answers that contradict TOGAF terminology
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on TOGAF Documentation Structure
Tip 1: Master the Three Key Distinctions
Remember the hierarchy:
- Artifacts = Raw material (catalogs, matrices, diagrams)
- Work Products = Created during ADM phases (combines artifacts meaningfully)
- Deliverables = Formal, approved outputs (reviewed and signed off)
This single distinction will help you answer 30-40% of documentation structure questions correctly.
Tip 2: Know the Phase-Specific Deliverables
Memorize the main deliverables for each phase:
| Phase | Key Deliverables |
| A - Vision | Architecture Vision, SOW, Stakeholder Map |
| B - Business | Business Architecture, Process diagrams |
| C - Information Systems | Data Architecture, Application Architecture |
| D - Technology | Technology Architecture, Infrastructure plans |
| E - Opportunities | Implementation Roadmap, Project proposals |
| F - Migration | Migration Strategy, Transition plans |
| G - Governance | Compliance Assessments |
| H - Change Management | Architecture updates |
Tip 3: Understand What "Formal" Means
The exam often tests whether you understand that deliverables are formally approved. Key indicators:
- Deliverables require stakeholder sign-off
- Deliverables are baselined (set as reference points)
- Deliverables have version control and change management
- Work products may be internal and informal by comparison
Tip 4: Look for Clues in the Question
Pay attention to terminology in the question:
- If it says "approved" or "signed off" → think deliverable
- If it says "created during" or "produced in" → think work product
- If it says "list of elements" or "catalog" → think artifact
- If it says "raw material" → think artifact
- If it asks about "governance" or "compliance" → think deliverable with formal status
Tip 5: Remember the Purpose of Documentation
The ultimate goal of TOGAF documentation structure is to:
- Ensure clear communication with stakeholders
- Provide traceability from requirements to implementation
- Enable governance and compliance
- Facilitate knowledge management and organizational learning
If a question seems ambiguous, choose the answer that best serves these purposes.
Tip 6: Don't Confuse TOGAF Documents with Organizational Documents
Common confusion points:
- TOGAF documents are architecture-specific, not general business documents
- A project plan is different from a migration plan (which is a TOGAF artifact)
- A business case may feed into architecture work but isn't itself a TOGAF artifact
Tip 7: Practice with Scenario Questions
Scenario-based questions often test practical understanding. Example approach:
"An architect is in Phase B and needs to show business processes. What documentation should be created?"
- Identify phase: Phase B
- Identify content: business processes
- Identify documentation type: work product (could be diagrams and matrices)
- Consider deliverables: Business Architecture document
Tip 8: Know Common TOGAF Templates and Models
The exam may reference specific documentation elements:
- RACI Matrix: Shows responsibility assignments (artifact)
- Gap Analysis Matrix: Shows differences between current and target (artifact)
- Architecture Roadmap: Shows sequencing (work product)
- Architecture Views: Various views organized by viewpoint (work product)
Tip 9: Use Process of Elimination for Tough Questions
When unsure:
- Eliminate answers that use wrong TOGAF terminology
- Eliminate answers about wrong ADM phase
- Eliminate answers that describe generic project management rather than architecture work
- Choose the remaining answer that best fits TOGAF definitions
Tip 10: Time Management Strategy
Documentation structure questions typically:
- Take 30-60 seconds if you know the material
- Are worth 1 point each (standard for Foundation exam)
- Are not worth spending 5+ minutes on
Strategy: Answer quickly if confident, flag for review if unsure, move on.
Sample Exam Questions and Answers
Sample Question 1
Q: What is the primary difference between a work product and a deliverable?
A) Work products are created only in Phase A, while deliverables are created in all phases
B) Work products are created during ADM phases, while deliverables are formally reviewed, agreed, and signed off
C) Work products are diagrams, while deliverables are documents
D) Work products are for architects, while deliverables are for stakeholders
Answer: B - This correctly captures the distinction that deliverables have formal governance and approval, while work products are intermediate outputs.
Sample Question 2
Q: Which of the following is an artifact rather than a work product?
A) Architecture Vision document
B) Business Architecture
C) RACI Matrix
D) Migration Strategy
Answer: C - A RACI matrix is a raw material/catalog that helps create work products. The others are all complete work products themselves.
Sample Question 3
Q: An architect completes Phase C and needs to deliver formal outputs to stakeholders for approval. What type of documentation is being prepared?
A) Artifacts
B) Deliverables
C) Work products
D) Architecture views
Answer: B - The question emphasizes "formal outputs" and "approval by stakeholders," which are hallmarks of deliverables.
Summary
TOGAF documentation structure is essential knowledge for the Foundation exam. By understanding the three key categories—artifacts, work products, and deliverables—and how they relate to specific ADM phases, you'll be well-prepared to answer the majority of questions on this topic. Practice the distinctions, memorize phase-specific outputs, and focus on the governance aspect of formal deliverables.
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