TOGAF® Standard, 10th Edition · OGEA-101 Foundation · Quick revision
Architecture Domain
Official definition — learn word for word
“The architectural area being considered. The TOGAF framework follows the tradition of dividing Enterprise Architecture into four primary architecture domains: business, data, application, and technology. Other domains (motivation, security, governance, etc.) may span those four primary domains.”
Source: CC §4.12 · CC §3.3
Memory aid
B-D-A-T, in the order the ADM usually meets them: Business (Phase B) → Data and Application (Phase C, either order) → Technology (Phase D).
Memory aid — not TOGAF wording.
In plain words
A domain is one “slice” of the enterprise you are designing. TOGAF's four main slices are business, data, applications and technology; topics such as security cut across all four.
Plain-English summary — not TOGAF wording.
Worked example
For DUK's online fee payment: Business = the fee-collection process and who approves refunds; Data = the student account and payment records; Application = the student portal and PayFlask; Technology = the servers, network and payment gateway connection. Security requirements touch all four.
Illustrative example (Digital University Kerala) — not from the Standard.
01Mind map — related concepts
Architecture Domain
BUSINESS
Strategy · governance · organization · processes
DATA
Logical & physical data assets + management
APPLICATION
Blueprint of applications and their interactions
TECHNOLOGY
Software & hardware infrastructure
CROSS-CUTTING
Motivation, security, governance span the four
NOT TO CONFUSE WITH
Levels (Strategic · Segment · Capability)
Source: CC §3.3, §4.12
02The four primary domains (CC §3.3)
| Domain | What it covers | ADM phase |
|---|---|---|
| Business | Defines the business strategy, governance, organization, and key business processes | Phase B |
| Data | Describes the structure of an organization's logical and physical data assets and data management resources | Phase C |
| Application | A blueprint for the individual applications to be deployed, their interactions, and their relationships to the core business processes | Phase C |
| Technology | The digital architecture and the logical software and hardware infrastructure capabilities and standards needed to support business, data, and application services | Phase D |
Other domains can be defined by combining views of these four — e.g. Information Architecture, Risk and Security Architectures, Digital Architecture (CC §3.3).
Source: CC §3.3 · CC §3.4
03Domains through the ADM
Phase A · 3.3.11determine which domains to develop, to what level of detail
Phase BBusiness Architecture
Phase CData and Application Architecture — in either order
Phase DTechnology Architecture
Source: ADM §3.3.11, §5.2 · CC §3.4
04Where it appears in the ADM
Phase A · Step 3.3.11
Based on purpose, focus, scope, and constraints, determine which architecture domains should be developed, to what level of detail, and which views should be built.
ADM §3.3.11
Phase C
Involves some combination of Data and Application Architecture, in either order.
ADM §5.2
05Exam traps
“Security is a fifth primary domain” → The four primary domains are business, data, application, technology; security spans them
“Data Architecture must be completed before Application Architecture” → Phase C does them in either order
“Domains and levels are the same thing” → Domains = business/data/application/technology; levels = Strategic/Segment/Capability
“Every ADM cycle must develop all four domains” → Phase A step 3.3.11 decides which domains to develop and to what detail
“No other domains can exist” → Other domains (e.g. Information, Risk and Security, Digital) can be defined by combining views
06Self-test — tap to reveal
Q1Define an architecture domain.
The architectural area being considered.
Q2Name the four primary domains.
Business, data, application, technology.
Q3Which phase develops the Business Architecture?
Phase B.
Q4Which two domains are in Phase C?
Data and Application.
Q5In what order are they done?
Either order.
Q6Which domain describes infrastructure capabilities and standards?
Technology.
Q7Give an example of a domain spanning the four.
Security (also motivation, governance).
Q8Where is it decided which domains to develop?
Phase A step 3.3.11.