TOGAF® Standard, 10th Edition · OGEA-101 Foundation · Quick revision
Architecture Continuum
Official definition — learn word for word
“A categorization mechanism, with increasing detail and specialization, for the components and artifacts stored in the Architecture Landscape or Reference Library (part of the Architecture Repository).”
It begins with foundational definitions like reference models, core strategies, and basic building blocks, and spans to Industry Architectures and all the way to an Organization-Specific Architecture (§4.10 note).
Source: CC §4.10 · AC §6.4.1
Memory aid
F-C-I-O again: Foundation → Common Systems → Industry → Organization-Specific — here for ABBs (architectures).
Memory aid — not TOGAF wording.
In plain words
A shelf of architectures ordered from “fits everyone” on the left to “fits only us” on the right. Look left for something reusable before designing from scratch.
Plain-English summary — not TOGAF wording.
Worked example
CDIPD needs a student-records architecture. It starts from generic reference models (Foundation), picks a generic security architecture (Common Systems), adapts a higher-education data model (Industry), and ends with DUK's own design (Organization-Specific).
Illustrative example (Digital University Kerala) — not from the Standard.
01Mind map — related concepts
Architecture Continuum
FOUR TYPES
Foundation · Common · Industry · Org-Specific
STRUCTURES
ABBs — guides the Solutions Continuum
PROGRESSIONS
Logical → physical; general → specialized
EXAMPLES
TRM = Foundation; III-RM = Common Systems
NOT FIXED STAGES
Many types can sit in between
NOT TO CONFUSE WITH
Solutions Continuum (SBBs)
Source: AC §6.3, §6.4.1
02The four architecture types (AC §6.4.1)
| Type | What it does | Example in the Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | Generic components, inter-relationships, principles, and guidelines — a foundation for more specific architectures | The TOGAF TRM |
| Common Systems | Guides selection and integration of foundation services to build highly re-usable solutions across many domains | Security, management, network, operations architectures; III-RM (Application Domain) |
| Industry | Integrates common systems components with industry-specific components for a particular industry | An industry data model, e.g. Retail “Active Store”, Energistics Data Model |
| Organization-Specific | Describes and guides the final deployment of solution components for a particular enterprise | The enterprise's own architectures |
Source: AC §6.4.1
03Finding re-usable elements (AC §6.4.1)
Need identifiedat the organization-specific end
Look leftfor re-usable architectural elements
Foundadapt it for use (towards the specific end)
if not found
Not foundpass requirements for the missing element to the left for incorporation
Source: AC §6.4.1 · AC §6.5
04Where it appears in the ADM
Phases B, C, D · Step 1
Select Reference Models, Viewpoints, and Tools — reference models come from the generic end of the continuum.
ADM §4.3.1, §6.3.1, §7.3.1, §8.3.1 · AC §6.5
Throughout the ADM
Pointers to useful assets at the relevant level of generality.
AC §6.5
05Exam traps
“The four types are fixed stages in a process” → They are not fixed stages; many types may occur in between
“The TRM is a Common Systems Architecture” → The TRM is a Foundation Architecture
“The III-RM is a Foundation Architecture” → It supports describing a Common Systems Architecture in the Application Domain
“The Architecture Continuum classifies SBBs” → It structures ABBs; the Solutions Continuum covers SBBs
06Self-test — tap to reveal
Q1Define the Architecture Continuum.
A categorization mechanism, with increasing detail and specialization, for components and artifacts in the Architecture Landscape or Reference Library.
Q2Name the four architecture types.
Foundation, Common Systems, Industry, Organization-Specific.
Q3Where is the TRM?
Foundation.
Q4What does the III-RM support?
Describing a Common Systems Architecture in the Application Domain.
Q5Give an example of a Common Systems Architecture.
Security, management, network, or operations architecture.
Q6Are the four types fixed stages?
No.
Q7What does it structure — ABBs or SBBs?
ABBs.
Q8If no re-usable element is found, what happens?
Requirements for it are passed to the left for incorporation.