TOGAF 9: ADM Phase H – Architecture Change Management

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

Objectives

Going thru all ADM phases, we created four architectures, after everything planned finally it is now implemented. Time to drink champagne?

This description brings to my mind waterfall approach from software development. Is this so? The true is it will be whatever you want. ADM defines a generic reference model for enterprise architecture and does not force you to any specific and strict methodology.

Architecture Change Management establishes procedures for managing change to the new architecture, monitor the architecture, assess changes, recommend architecture changes. The goal of this process is to ensure that the architecture achieves its original target business value and does not fall behind the market.

Approach

Key steps in Phase H include:

• Monitor Technology Changes.
• Monitor Business Changes.
• Assess Changes and Development of Position to Act.
• Arrange Meeting of Architecture Board (or other governing council).

Categories of architectural change:

• Simplification.
• Incremental change.
• Re-architecting.

Techniques

There are many valid approaches to change management, and various management techniques and methodologies that can be used to manage change; for example, project management methods such as PRINCE 2, service management methods such as ITIL, and many others.

Inputs

Everything from previous phases, including:

• Change Request – technology changes:
  • New technology reports.
  • Asset management cost reduction initiatives.
  • Technology withdrawal reports.
  • Standards initiatives.
• Change Request – business changes:
  • Business developments.
  • Business exceptions.
  • Business innovations.
  • Business technology innovations.
  • Strategic change developments.

Outputs

The outputs of Phase H may include, but are not restricted to:

• Architecture updates (for maintenance changes).
• Changes to architecture framework and principles (for maintenance changes)
• New Request for Architecture Work , to move to another cycle (for major changes)
• Statement of Architecture Work, updated if necessary
• Architecture Contract, updated if necessary
• Compliance Assessments, updated if necessary

Materials

TOGAF Phase H: Architecture Change Management