TOGAF® Standard, 10th Edition · OGEA-101 Foundation · Quick revision
Viewpoint (Architecture Viewpoint)
Official definition — learn word for word
“A specification of the conventions for a particular kind of architecture view.”
It can also be seen as the definition or schema for that kind of view. It establishes the conventions for constructing, interpreting, and using an architecture view to address a specific concern (or set of concerns) about a system-of-interest.
Source: CC §4.21 · CC §4.86 · AC §3.1
Memory aid
Viewpoint = the template. View = the filled-in form.
Memory aid — not TOGAF wording.
In plain words
The recipe for a type of view: who it is for, which concerns it answers, and how to draw it.
Plain-English summary — not TOGAF wording.
Worked example
CDIPD's security viewpoint (stakeholders: security officer, finance; concern: data protection; notation: data-flow diagram) is reused to produce a security view for every project.
Illustrative example (Digital University Kerala) — not from the Standard.
01Mind map — related concepts
Architecture Viewpoint
ESTABLISHES
Conventions to construct, interpret, use a view
FRAMES
One or more stakeholder concerns
REFERENCES
One or more model kinds
RE-USABLE
Generic; stored in Viewpoint Library
WHERE IT LIVES
Reference Library of the Architecture Repository
NOT TO CONFUSE WITH
View (specific representation)
Source: AC §3.1 · CC §4.21, §4.57, §4.87
02Viewpoint vs Model Kind vs View vs Model
| Term | Definition (Chapter 4 / AC §3.1) |
|---|---|
| Architecture Viewpoint | A specification of the conventions for a particular kind of architecture view |
| Model Kind | Conventions for a type of modeling; a viewpoint references one or more model kinds |
| Architecture View | A representation of a system from the perspective of a related set of concerns |
| Architecture Model | A representation of a subject of interest; a view incorporates one or more models |
| Viewpoint Library | A collection of the specifications of architecture viewpoints contained in the Reference Library |
Source: CC §4.17, §4.20, §4.21, §4.57, §4.87 · AC §3.1
03Example viewpoint → view (AC §3.1.1)
StakeholdersManagement Board, CEO
Concerntop-level relationships between US/UK sites and business functions
Modeling techniquenested boxes: outer = locations, inner = business functions
Resulting viewThe Open Group business domains (Fig 3-2)
Source: AC §3.1.1
04Where it appears in the ADM
Phase A · Step 3.3.2
The stakeholder map identifies the concerns and viewpoints relevant to the project, captured in the Architecture Vision.
ADM §3.3.2
Phases B, C, D · Step 1
Select Reference Models, Viewpoints, and Tools.
ADM §4.3.1, §6.3.1, §7.3.1, §8.3.1
05Exam traps
“A viewpoint is specific to one architecture” → Viewpoints are generic and can be stored in libraries for re-use
“The Viewpoint Library sits in the Standards Library” → It is in the Reference Library of the Architecture Repository
“A viewpoint contains models” → A viewpoint references model kinds; a view incorporates models
“Defining viewpoints explicitly is pure overhead” → It provides a mechanism for re-using viewpoints across architectures
06Self-test — tap to reveal
Q1Define an architecture viewpoint.
A specification of the conventions for a particular kind of architecture view.
Q2What else can a viewpoint be seen as?
The definition or schema for that kind of view.
Q3What does a viewpoint reference?
One or more model kinds.
Q4Where are viewpoint specifications kept?
In the Viewpoint Library, part of the Reference Library.
Q5Generic or specific?
Generic — re-usable.
Q6What does a viewpoint frame?
Stakeholder concerns.
Q7Which standard encourages defining viewpoints explicitly?
ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010: 2011.
Q8Which Phase B step selects viewpoints?
Step 4.3.1 — Select Reference Models, Viewpoints, and Tools.