TOGAF® Standard, 10th Edition · OGEA-101 Foundation · Quick revision
Dispensation (Waiver)
No Chapter 4 definition — closest official wording
“Where a Compliance Assessment is rejected, an alternate route to meeting interim conformance is provided through dispensations.”
Dispensations are granted for a given time period and a set of identified service and operational criteria that must be enforced during the lifespan of the dispensation. They are not granted indefinitely.
Source: CG §3.2.1.2 (“Dispensation (also known as Waiver)”) — Chapter 4 has no entry
Memory aid
Dispensation = a hall pass: time-bound, with conditions, and it expires.
Memory aid — not TOGAF wording.
In plain words
A formal, time-limited permission to be temporarily non-compliant, with conditions — not a permanent exemption.
Plain-English summary — not TOGAF wording.
Worked example
PayFlask can't meet the new logging standard before the fee deadline. The Architecture Board grants a 90-day dispensation, on condition that daily manual audit reports are produced until the fix ships.
Illustrative example (Digital University Kerala) — not from the Standard.
01Mind map — related concepts
Dispensation
WHEN
A Compliance Assessment is rejected
GRANTED FOR
A given time period + enforced criteria
NEVER
Granted indefinitely
GRANTED BY
The Architecture Board
TRIGGERS
The compliance cycle (time-bound)
NOT TO CONFUSE WITH
A policy change or a permanent exemption
Source: CG §3.2.1.2, §4.2
02When a Compliance Assessment is rejected (CG §3.2.1.2)
| Option | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1 · Adjust or realign | The subject area (design, operational, service level, or technology) is changed to meet the compliance requirements |
| 2 · Request a dispensation | Interim conformance is allowed for a given time period, with service and operational criteria enforced during its lifespan |
Where similar dispensations keep being requested and granted, the Board should consider policy changes (CG §4.2).
Source: CG §3.2.1.2 · CG §4.2
03Dispensation cycle
Compliance Assessment rejected
Request a dispensation(or adjust / realign instead)
Architecture Board grantsfor a time period, with criteria to enforce
Criteria enforced during its lifespan
Expirytime-bound — a major trigger in the compliance cycle
Source: CG §3.2.1.2 · CG §4.2
04Where it appears in the ADM
Preliminary · Step 2.3.2
Governance processes to be understood include dispensation, compliance, take-on, retirement.
ADM §2.3.2
Phase H · Step 12.3.6
Architecture Board meeting decides on handling changes (technology, business and dispensations).
ADM §12.3.6
05Exam traps
“A dispensation is a permanent exemption” → Granted for a given time period — never indefinitely
“The project manager grants dispensations” → The Architecture Board grants dispensations
“With a dispensation, anything goes” → Identified service and operational criteria must be enforced during its lifespan
“A dispensation is the only option after a failed assessment” → The subject area can instead be adjusted or realigned
“Repeated dispensations need no follow-up” → The Board should consider policy changes where similar dispensations recur
06Self-test — tap to reveal
Q1What is a dispensation?
An alternate route to meeting interim conformance where a Compliance Assessment is rejected.
Q2What is it also known as?
A waiver.
Q3Is it granted indefinitely?
No — for a given time period.
Q4What must be enforced during it?
A set of identified service and operational criteria.
Q5Who grants it?
The Architecture Board.
Q6What is the other option when an assessment is rejected?
Adjust or realign the subject area to meet the requirements.
Q7Why is its time-bound nature important?
It makes dispensations a major trigger in the compliance cycle.
Q8Which Phase H step decides on dispensations?
12.3.6 — Manage Governance Process.