The ADM is the heart of TOGAF — an iterative, cyclic method for developing EA. It is NOT rigid or linear; it adapts and cycles as business needs evolve.
The Architecture Development Method (ADM) is the CORE component of the TOGAF Standard. It defines a repeatable, tested process for developing an Enterprise Architecture that is tailored to the organization's needs.
- ▸ADM = the "HOW" of TOGAF — the actual method for building EA
- ▸Iterative and cyclic — phases can be repeated and revisited as needs change
- ▸Adaptable — organizations MUST tailor the ADM to their specific context (it is not a rigid checklist)
- ▸Requirements Management is NOT a sequential phase — it runs THROUGHOUT all phases simultaneously
- ▸All other TOGAF components (Content Framework, Enterprise Continuum, etc.) exist to support the ADM
Click each phase below to see its purpose, inputs, outputs, and the key exam trap for that phase:
Define scope, stakeholders, and high-level vision for this architecture cycle.
Request for Architecture Work · Architecture Principles · Business strategy
Statement of Architecture Work · Architecture Vision · Stakeholder Map · Communications Plan
Grouping phases by purpose makes them easier to remember and reason about in scenario questions:
OGEA-101 consistently tests "what does Phase X produce?" This table is worth 5–8 marks on its own:
- ▸Preliminary → Architecture Principles · EA Capability definition · Tailored ADM
- ▸Phase A → Statement of Architecture Work · Architecture Vision · Stakeholder Map
- ▸Phase B → Business Architecture (Baseline + Target) · Gap Analysis
- ▸Phase C → Data Architecture + Application Architecture (both with Gap Analysis)
- ▸Phase D → Technology Architecture (Baseline + Target) · Gap Analysis
- ▸Phase E → DRAFT Architecture Roadmap · Transition Architecture candidates
- ▸Phase F → FINAL Architecture Roadmap · Implementation & Migration Plan
- ▸Phase G → Architecture Contract · Compliance Assessments
- ▸Phase H → Architecture Updates · Change Requests · New cycle trigger
- ▸RM → Updated Requirements Repository (throughout)