This is another post about TOGAF. Check other posts in the series.

What is ADM?

The Architecture Development Method (ADM) provides a tested and repeatable process for developing architectures. The ADM includes establishing an architecture framework, developing architecture content, transitioning, and governing the realization of architectures. All of these activities are carried out within an iterative cycle of continuous architecture definition and realization that allows organizations to transform their enterprises in a controlled manner in response to business goals and opportunities.

Implementing TOGAF in an enterprise always need to serve some purpose, it is usually established when business leaders want to perform major transformation and need well adopted framework for Enterprise Architecture program. Architecture Development Method is core component of TOGAF that provides steps how to develop architecture that address business requirements. ADM is divided into cycles and phases. Whole ADM cycle for entire enterprise is usually performed by Enterprise Architecture department, lead by Enterprise Architects. ADM can be also used on program or project level, either as whole ADM cycle or tailored to the project needs. Architects in particular domains can use just part of it, for example when creating Application or Technology architectures.

ADM phases

Phases within the ADM:

• The Preliminary Phase describes the preparation and initiation activities required to create an Architecture Capability including customization of TOGAF and definition of Architecture Principles.
• Phase A: Architecture Vision describes the initial phase of an architecture development cycle. It includes information about defining the scope of the architecture development initiative, identifying the stakeholders, creating the Architecture Vision, and obtaining approval to proceed with the architecture development.
• Phase B: Business Architecture describes the development of a Business Architecture to support the agreed Architecture Vision.
• Phase C: Information Systems Architectures describes the development of Information Systems Architectures (Application and Data) to support the agreed Architecture Vision.
• Phase D: Technology Architecture describes the development of the Technology Architecture to support the agreed Architecture Vision.
• Phase E: Opportunities & Solutions conducts initial implementation planning and the identification of delivery vehicles for the architecture defined in the previous phases.
• Phase F: Migration Planning addresses how to move from the Baseline to the Target Architectures by finalizing a detailed Implementation and Migration Plan.
• Phase G: Implementation Governance provides an architectural oversight of the implementation.
• Phase H: Architecture Change Management establishes procedures for managing change to the new architecture.
• Requirements Management examines the process of managing architecture requirements throughout the ADM.

ADM iterations

ADM is fairly flexible and supports the concept of iteration at different levels:

• Through the entire ADM cycle – completion of one cycle starts another cycle
• Iterating between phases – projects may come back to particular phase to update work products
• Cycling around a single phase – performing multiple times steps within one phase to produce detailed deliverables for particular phase

TOGAF suggest four iteration cycles that span multiple phases:

• Architecture Capability cycle – establishing principles and vision
• Architecture Development cycle – preparing actual architecture, iteration here makes sure that you will treat architecture as a whole including all architecture domains (Business, Application, Data, Technology) and their influence to transition
• Transition Planning cycle – supports the creation of formal change roadmaps
• Architecture Governance cycle – supports governance of the change

It will be more clear when you see the picture:

ADM patterns in each phase

Each ADM phase describes four patterns that help understand and apply it. Keep this in mind when we will go through each of the phases, I will always describe them for particular phase.

Reference Materials

Core concepts of TOGAF

Applying Iteration to the ADM