The Architecture Development Method (ADM) is a key component of the TOGAF (The Open Group Architecture Framework). It is a systematic and iterative approach for creating, managing, and evolving an organization’s enterprise architecture. The ADM provides a structured process that guides architects through the development and implementation of an organization’s architecture. Here are the key aspects of the Architecture Development Method (ADM):

Phases:

  • The ADM consists of several phases, each with specific objectives, tasks, and deliverables. These phases guide architects through the architecture development process. The phases include:
    • Preliminary Phase: This phase prepares the organization for architecture development, including establishing the architecture vision and framework.
    • Architecture Vision: In this phase, the architects define the high-level vision and scope of the architecture, identify stakeholders, and create a statement of architecture work.
    • Business Architecture: Focuses on understanding and modeling the organization’s business processes, goals, and strategies.
    • Information Systems Architecture: Develops an architecture that aligns IT systems with the business architecture, defining data and application components.
    • Technology Architecture: Defines the technology infrastructure that supports the information systems architecture.
    • Opportunities and Solutions: Identifies and evaluates architecture opportunities and solutions, considering trade-offs and risks.
    • Migration Planning: Develops a detailed plan for transitioning from the current state to the target architecture.
    • Implementation Governance: Ensures that the architecture is implemented correctly and that it complies with standards and guidelines.
    • Architecture Change Management: Manages changes to the architecture and assesses their impact on the organization.

Iterative Process:

  • The ADM is iterative, meaning that architects may revisit previous phases as necessary to refine and update the architecture. Iteration allows for flexibility in responding to changing business needs and technological advancements.

Inputs and Outputs:

  • Each ADM phase has inputs, tasks, and outputs. Inputs include information and artifacts from previous phases, while tasks involve specific activities carried out by architects. Outputs are the deliverables produced during each phase, such as architectural models, documents, and plans.

Artifacts and Deliverables:

  • The ADM produces a range of artifacts and deliverables, including architecture vision documents, business process models, data models, application portfolios, and technology infrastructure diagrams. These documents help communicate and manage the architecture.

Enterprise Continuum:

  • The ADM is supported by the concept of the Enterprise Continuum, which categorizes architecture assets and solutions into different stages of evolution. It includes the Architecture Continuum (representing architectural evolution) and the Solutions Continuum (representing existing solutions and technologies).

Governance and Compliance:

  • Governance mechanisms are embedded in the ADM to ensure that architecture development aligns with organizational goals, standards, and best practices. This helps maintain consistency and quality across architecture projects.

Tailoring:

  • TOGAF acknowledges that the ADM can be tailored to suit the specific needs and context of different organizations. This allows organizations to adapt the framework to their unique requirements.

The Architecture Development Method is a structured and proven approach for organizations to develop and manage their enterprise architecture. It promotes alignment between business and IT, enables effective communication among stakeholders, and supports the evolution of the architecture to meet changing business needs.