TOGAF is for Rookies
posted by Anna Mar, July 18, 2011Hell, there are no rules here - we're trying to accomplish something.
~ Thomas A. Edison
Frameworks such as TOGAF are most valuable to EA newbies. The more experienced you are — the less likely you will rely on a framework (as anything more than a casual reference).
Consider, these 3 tales of TOGAF:
1. The Technical Architects
A few years back, I had a introductory meeting with the EA team of a retail bank. The team had been around for 20 years. They introduced themselves as Enterprise Architects. However, it quickly became apparent that they were only doing technical architecture.I gave them a quick overview of TOGAF:
- architectural domains
- the architecture development method
- the enterprise continuum
etc...
I have rarely seen such an excited group of architects in one room — it seemed to open their eyes to the full scope of Enterprise Architecture. TOGAF is a great tool for explaining EA.
2. The TOGAF Academic
When EA shops say that they use TOGAF — they usually mean a light weight, customized version of it.I recently worked with a large investment bank with a mature EA practice. They had EA consultants from several different companies on a long engagement.
One of the consultants was always pushing TOGAF. Whenever the project diverged from TOGAF there was endless debate about it. The consultant was quickly dropped from the project.
EA consultants are expected to be business focused — clients tend to view TOGAF as academic. They want consultants to know TOGAF but certainly don't want them to push it.
3. TOGAF for Stakeholders
Do you have stakeholders that don't understand what EA is trying to achieve? Send them on TOGAF training.When non-architects go for TOGAF training they come back with a new-found appreciation of enterprise architecture. I have had some of my most difficult stakeholders take TOGAF training. It was a godsend — TOGAF training can turn EA detractors into EA promoters.
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