The Open Group OGEA-103 TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Combined Part 1 and Part 2 Exam Exam Practice Test

Phase A: Architecture Vision is the first phase of the Architecture Development Method (ADM) cycle, which is the core of the TOGAF standard. The main purpose of this phase is to define the scope and approach of the architecture development, and to create the Architecture Vision, which is a high-level description of the desired outcomes and benefits of the proposed architecture. To achieve this purpose, this phase focuses on defining the problem to be solved, identifying the stakeholders, their concerns, and requirements, and establishing the business goals and drivers that motivate the architecture work. This phase also involves obtaining the approval and commitment of the sponsors and other key stakeholders, and initiating the Architecture Governance process.

References: : The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2, Part II: Architecture Development Method (ADM), Chapter 5: Introduction to the ADM : The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2, Part II: Architecture Development Method (ADM), Chapter 18: Phase A: Architecture Vision : The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2, Part II: Architecture Development Method (ADM), Chapter 18.3: Inputs : The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2, Part II: Architecture Development Method (ADM), Chapter 18.4: Steps

According to the TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition, the rationale section of the architecture principles template should highlight the business benefits of adhering to the principle, as well as the business risks of not adhering to it 1. The rationale section should explain the reasoning behind the principle, and provide evidence or arguments to support it. The rationale section should also link the principle to the business drivers, goals, and objectives of the enterprise, and show how the principle contributes to the value and success of the enterprise. The other options are not correct, as they have different purposes in the architecture principles template. The name section should provide a short and memorable name for the principle, such as “Information is an Asset” or “Business Continuity” 1. The statement section should provide a concise and formal statement of the principle, such as “The enterprise’s information is recognized as a core asset, and is managed accordingly” or “The enterprise’s ability to provide critical services and products must be maintained in the event of a disaster” 1. The implications section should identify the impact of the principle on the enterprise, such as the changes, costs, benefits, and risks that may result from applying or violating the principle 1. References: 1: TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition, Part III: ADM Guidelines and Techniques, Chapter 23: Architecture Principles, Section 23.3 Developing Architecture Principles.

This statement best describes iteration and the ADM. The ADM is iterative over the whole process between phases and within phases because it allows for feedback loops and refinements at any point in the architecture development and transition process. Iteration enables architects to address changing requirements, assumptions, constraints, and environments; to validate and improve architectures; to manage risks and issues; and to ensure stakeholder satisfaction and value realization. Reference: The TOGAF® Standard | The Open Group Website, Section 3.1 Introduction to the ADM.

The Enterprise Continuum consists of two complementary concepts: the Architecture Continuum and the Solutions Continuum1. The Architecture Continuum provides a consistent way to describe and understand the generic and reusable architecture building blocks, such as models, patterns, and standards, that can be applied and tailored to specific situations2. The Solutions Continuum provides a consistent way to describe and understand the specific and implemented solution building blocks, such as products, services, and components, that realize the architecture building blocks3. The Enterprise Continuum enables the reuse and integration of architecture and solution assets across different levels of abstraction, scope, and detail, ranging from foundation architectures to organization-specific architectures1.

The Enterprise Continuum is used when developing an enterprise architecture to support the following activities1:

•Selecting relevant architecture and solution assets from the Architecture Repository or other sources, based on the business drivers, goals, and requirements

•Adapting and customizing the architecture and solution assets to suit the specific needs and context of the enterprise

•Defining and developing the target architecture and the architecture roadmap, based on the gaps and opportunities identified between the baseline and the target states

•Defining and developing the implementation and migration plan, based on the architecture roadmap and the solution building blocks

•Governing and managing the architecture and solution assets throughout the architecture lifecycle, ensuring their quality, consistency, and compliance

References: 1: The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2 - Enterprise Continuum 2: The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2 - Architecture Continuum 3: The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2 - Solutions Continuum

The Enterprise Continuum provides methods for classifying architecture artifacts as they evolve from generic architectures to Organization-Specific Architectures. Generic architectures are architectures that have been developed for use across a wide range of enterprises with similar characteristics. They provide common models, functions, and services that can be reused and adapted for specific purposes. Organization-Specific Architectures are architectures that have been tailored to meet the needs and requirements of a particular enterprise or a major organizational unit within an enterprise. They reflect the unique vision, goals, culture, structure, processes, systems, and technologies of that enterprise or unit. Reference: The TOGAF® Standard | The Open Group Website, Section 2.3 Enterprise Continuum.

Based on the web search results, architecture partitioning is a technique that divides the Enterprise Architecture into smaller and manageable segments or groups, based on various classification criteria, such as subject matter, time, maturity, volatility, etc.12 Architecture partitioning is used to simplify the development and management of the Enterprise Architecture, by reducing complexity, improving governance, enhancing reusability, and increasing alignment and agility12. Therefore, the statement that partitions are used to simplify the management of the Enterprise Architecture is correct.

The other statements are incorrect because:

•Partitions are not equivalent to architecture levels. Architecture levels are different layers of abstraction that describe the Enterprise Architecture from different perspectives, such as strategic, segment, and capability3. Partitions are subsets of architectures that are defined within or across the levels, based on specific criteria1.

•Partitions do not necessarily reflect the organization’s structure. The organization’s structure is one possible criterion for partitioning the architecture, but it is not the only one. Other criteria, such as business function, product, service, geography, etc., can also be used to partition the architecture12.

•Partitions are not defined and assigned to agile Enterprise Architecture teams. Agile Enterprise Architecture is an approach that applies agile principles and practices to the architecture work, such as iterative development, frequent feedback, adaptive planning, and continuous delivery4. Partitions are not a specific feature of agile Enterprise Architecture, but a general technique that can be applied to any architecture method or framework, including TOGAF12.

References: 1: The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2 - Architecture Partitioning 2: TOGAF® Standard — Introduction - Architecture Partitioning 3: [The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2 - Applying the ADM Across the Architecture Landscape] 4: TOGAF® Standard — Introduction - Definitions - The Open Group

According to the TOGAF standard, the two statements provided refer to different scopes within which architecture can be developed:

Groups of countries, governments, or governmental organizations working together typically align with broader, often international, scopes of architecture that transcend individual enterprise boundaries.

Partnerships and alliances of businesses working together, such as a consortium or supply chain, refer to collaborative efforts that can define architecture at a scope involving multiple enterprises.

In both cases, the term "Architectures Scopes" is appropriate because it reflects the varying levels and contexts in which architectures can be defined, ranging from single business units to collaborative inter-organizational efforts.

The chart shown is a Gantt chart, which is commonly used for project management to illustrate a project schedule. In the context of TOGAF (The Open Group Architecture Framework), which is a framework for enterprise architecture, this Gantt chart is demonstrating the sequenced approach to the Architecture Development Method (ADM). The ADM is the core process of TOGAF which provides a tested and repeatable process for developing architectures. The ADM is described as being iterative, over the whole process, between phases, and within phases. For each iteration of the ADM, a fresh decision must be taken about each of the parameters (scope, granularity, time period, and architecture assets).

The ADM consists of a number of phases that have to be followed in sequence:

Preliminary Phase: Framework and principles

Phase A: Architecture Vision

Phase B: Business Architecture

Phase C: Information Systems Architectures, including Data and Application Architectures

Phase D: Technology Architecture

Phase E: Opportunities and Solutions

Phase F: Migration Planning

Phase G: Implementation Governance

Phase H: Architecture Change Management

Requirements Management

Each phase is dependent on the outputs of the previous phase and the Requirements Management phase runs throughout. The Gantt chart clearly shows the dependency and sequence in which these phases occur, implying that a structured approach is followed to produce the enterprise architecture.

References:

The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2, a standard of The Open Group

The TOGAF documentation available at https://publications.opengroup.org/standards/architecture and https://publications.opengroup.org/guides/architecture

•Phase A: Architecture Vision

oDevelop a high-level aspirational vision of the capabilities and business value to be delivered as a result of the proposed Enterprise Architecture

oDefine the scope and boundaries of the architecture engagement

oIdentify the key stakeholders and their concerns and expectations

oDefine the Architecture Vision statement and the Architecture Definition Document

oObtain approval and commitment from the sponsors and stakeholders

•Phase B: Business Architecture

oDevelop the Target Business Architecture that describes how the enterprise needs to operate to achieve the business goals

oDefine the Baseline Business Architecture, if not available

oPerform a gap analysis between the Baseline and Target Business Architectures

oDefine candidate roadmap components for the Business Architecture

oResolve impacts across the Architecture Landscape

•Phase C: Information Systems Architecture

oDevelop the Target Data Architecture that enables the Business Architecture and the Architecture Vision

oDevelop the Target Application Architecture that supports the Business Architecture and the Architecture Vision

oDefine the Baseline Data and Application Architectures, if not available

oPerform a gap analysis between the Baseline and Target Data and Application Architectures

oDefine candidate roadmap components for the Information Systems Architecture

oResolve impacts across the Architecture Landscape

•Phase D: Technology Architecture

oDevelop the Target Technology Architecture that enables the Information Systems Architecture and the Architecture Vision

oDefine the Baseline Technology Architecture, if not available

oPerform a gap analysis between the Baseline and Target Technology Architectures

oIdentify candidate Architecture Roadmap components based upon gaps between the Baseline and Target Technology Architectures

oResolve impacts across the Architecture Landscape

Therefore, the correct matching of the objectives and the phases is:

•1C: Develop the Target Data Architecture that enables the Business Architecture and the Architecture Vision

•2B: Develop the Target Business Architecture that describes how the enterprise needs to operate to achieve the business goals

•3A: Develop a high-level aspirational vision of the capabilities and business value to be delivered as a result of the proposed Enterprise Architecture

•4D: Identify candidate Architecture Roadmap components based upon gaps between the Baseline and Target Technology Architectures

References: 1: The TOGAF Architecture Development Method

Concerns are interests important to the stakeholders in a system. They are used to identify and classify the system’s stakeholders and to guide the selection of viewpoints for the architecture description. Reference: The TOGAF® Standard | The Open Group Website, Section 3.2.1 Architecture Viewpoints

An Architecture Contract is a deliverable that specifies the responsibilities and obligations of the parties involved in the implementation and governance of an architecture. It ensures a system of continuous monitoring to check integrity changes decision-making and audit of all architecture-related activities. Reference: The TOGAF® Standard | The Open Group Website, Section 3.3.4 Architecture Contracts.

This statement best supports the need to govern Enterprise Architecture. Best practice governance enables the organization to control value realization by ensuring that architectures are aligned with the enterprise’s strategy and objectives, meet the quality and performance requirements, and deliver the expected benefits and outcomes. The Architecture Project does not mandate the governance of the target architecture, but rather follows the governance framework established by the enterprise. The TOGAF standard can be used without executive governance, but it is recommended that executive sponsorship and support are obtained for successful architecture development and transition. The Stakeholders preferences may go beyond the architecture project scope and need control, but this is not the primary reason for governing Enterprise Architecture. Reference: The TOGAF® Standard | The Open Group Website, Section 3.3.6 Architecture Governance.

 In the ADM documents which are under development and have not undergone any formal review and approval process are called “draft”. This indicates that they are subject to change and refinement as the architecture development progresses. Reference: The TOGAF® Standard | The Open Group Website, Section 4.2.5 Architecture Deliverables.

A business scenario describes business and technology environment in which those problems occur. It provides a realistic context for identifying and addressing business problems and opportunities, as well as their impact on the enterprise’s architecture. Reference: The TOGAF® Standard | The Open Group Website, Section 3.3.1 Business Scenarios.

According to the TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2, an architecture view is a representation of a system from the perspective of a related set of concerns1. It consists of one or more architecture models that demonstrate how the system addresses the stakeholder concerns1.

An architecture viewpoint is a specification of the conventions for constructing and using an architecture view to address specific stakeholder concerns1. It defines the perspective, scope, notation, and techniques for creating an architecture view of a system1.

Architects can present architecture views and viewpoints to stakeholders to extract hidden agendas, principles, and requirements that could impact the final Target Architecture, because23:

Architecture views and viewpoints help to communicate and visualize the architecture in a way that is meaningful and relevant to different stakeholders, addressing their specific interests and needs.

Architecture views and viewpoints help to elicit and validate the stakeholder concerns and requirements, ensuring that they are aligned with the business goals and objectives, and that they are consistent and feasible within the architecture context.

Architecture views and viewpoints help to identify and resolve any conflicts, gaps, or trade-offs among the stakeholder concerns and requirements, ensuring that they are balanced and prioritized in the architecture design and decision-making.

Architecture views and viewpoints help to demonstrate and verify the value and benefits of the architecture to the stakeholders, ensuring that they are satisfied and committed to the architecture outcome and governance.

References:

1: The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2, Chapter 22: Architecture Views, Viewpoints, and Stakeholders

2: The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2, Chapter 4: Introduction to Part II, Section 4.2: What is an Architecture Framework?

3: The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2, Chapter 31: Architectural Artifacts, Section 31.1: Basic Concepts

Risk management is a generic technique that can be applied across all phases of the Architecture Development Method (ADM), as well as in the Preliminary Phase and the Requirements Management Phase2. Risk management involves the following steps1:

•Risk identification: This step involves identifying the potential risks that may affect the architecture project, such as technical, business, organizational, environmental, or legal risks. The risks can be identified through various sources, such as stakeholder interviews, workshops, surveys, checklists, historical data, or expert judgment.

•Risk classification: This step involves categorizing the risks based on their nature, source, impact, and priority. The risks can be classified according to different criteria, such as time, cost, scope, quality, security, or compliance. The classification helps in prioritizing the risks and allocating resources and efforts to address them effectively.

•Initial risk assessment: This step involves assessing the likelihood and impact of each risk, and determining the initial level of risk. The likelihood is the probability of the risk occurring, and the impact is the severity of the consequences if the risk occurs. The initial level of risk is the product of the likelihood and impact, and it indicates the urgency and importance of the risk. The initial risk assessment helps in identifying the most critical risks that need immediate attention and mitigation.

References: 1: The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2 - Risk Management 2: TOGAF ADM: Top 10 techniques – Part 9: Risk Management

According to the TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2, the ADM phases and their objectives are as follows1:

Preliminary Phase: To prepare and initiate the architecture development cycle, including defining the architecture framework, principles, and governance.

Phase A: Architecture Vision: To define the scope, vision, and stakeholders of the architecture initiative, and to obtain approval to proceed.

Phase B: Business Architecture: To describe the baseline and target business architecture, and to identify the gaps between them.

Phase C: Information Systems Architectures: To describe the baseline and target data and application architectures, and to identify the gaps between them.

Phase D: Technology Architecture: To describe the baseline and target technology architecture, and to identify the gaps between them.

Phase E: Opportunities and Solutions: To identify and evaluate the opportunities and solutions for implementing the target architecture, and to define the work packages and transition architectures.

Phase F: Migration Planning: To finalize the implementation and migration plan, and to ensure alignment with the enterprise portfolio and project management.

Phase G: Implementation Governance: To provide architecture oversight and guidance for the implementation projects, and to manage any architecture change requests.

Phase H: Architecture Change Management: To monitor the changes in the business and technology environment, and to assess the impact and performance of the architecture.

Requirements Management: To manage the architecture requirements throughout the ADM cycle, and to ensure alignment with the business requirements.

Based on the above definitions, we can match each objective with the corresponding phase as follows:

Objective 1: Ensure that the business value and cost of work packages and transition architectures is understood by key stakeholders. This objective is achieved in Phase H: Architecture Change Management, where the value realization and cost-benefit analysis of the architecture are performed2.

Objective 2: Ensure conformance with the Target Architecture by implementation projects. This objective is achieved in Phase F: Migration Planning, where the conformance requirements and criteria for the implementation projects are defined3.

Objective 3: Ensure that the architecture development cycle is maintained. This objective is achieved in Phase F: Migration Planning, where the architecture roadmap and iteration cycle are maintained3.

Objective 4: Ensure that the Architecture Governance Framework is executed. This objective is achieved in Phase G: Implementation Governance, where the architecture governance processes and procedures are applied to the implementation projects4.

References:

1: The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2, Chapter 5: Architecture Development Method (ADM)

2: The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2, Chapter 21: Architecture Change Management

3: The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2, Chapter 20: Migration Planning

4: The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2, Chapter 19: Implementation Governance

A Request for Architecture Work is a document that describes the scope, approach, and expected outcomes of an architecture project. A Request for Architecture Work is usually initiated by the sponsor or client of the architecture work, and approved by the Architecture Board, which is a governance body that oversees the architecture work and ensures compliance with the architecture principles, standards, and goals. A Request for Architecture Work triggers a new cycle of the Architecture Development Method (ADM), which is the core process of the TOGAF standard that guides the development and management of the enterprise architecture12

An Architecture Vision is a high-level description of the desired outcomes and benefits of the proposed architecture. An Architecture Vision is the output of Phase A: Architecture Vision of the ADM cycle, which is the first phase of the architecture development. An Architecture Vision defines the scope and approach of the architecture work, and establishes the business goals and drivers that motivate the architecture work. An Architecture Vision also involves obtaining the approval and commitment of the sponsors and other key stakeholders, and initiating the Architecture Governance process3

A trade-off analysis is a technique that can be used to evaluate and compare different architecture alternatives and select the most suitable one. A trade-off analysis involves identifying the criteria and factors that are relevant to the decision, such as costs, benefits, risks, and opportunities, and assessing the strengths and weaknesses of each alternative. A trade-off analysis also involves balancing and reconciling the multiple, often conflicting, requirements and concerns of the stakeholders, and ensuring alignment with the Architecture Vision and the Architecture Principles.

Therefore, the best answer is D, because it proposes the best approach for architecture development to realize the CEO’s change in direction for the company. The answer covers the Request for Architecture Work, the Architecture Vision, and the trade-off analysis techniques that are relevant to the scenario.

References: 1: The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2, Part II: Architecture Development Method (ADM), Chapter 7: Request for Architecture Work 2: The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2, Part VI: Architecture Capability Framework, Chapter 50: Architecture Governance 3: The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2, Part II: Architecture Development Method (ADM), Chapter 18: Phase A: Architecture Vision : The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2, Part III: ADM Guidelines and Techniques, Chapter 30: Trade-Off Analysis

In this scenario, the enterprise is undergoing significant transformation due to a merger and the adoption of new technology (hand-held devices). Several key principles from TOGAF's ADM Techniques—particularly those focused on promoting enterprise-wide standardization, adaptability, and data utilization—are pertinent here:

Maximize Benefit to the Enterprise:This principle emphasizes that all architectural decisions should deliver maximum business value. Given that the company is integrating systems to cut costs and improve offerings, maximizing the benefit is crucial. Ensuring that the EA efforts align with enterprise-wide benefits supports the goal of optimizing costs and enhancing offerings, which aligns with the CEO’s vision for the merger.

Common Use Applications:Standardizing applications across the merged entity will be essential to achieve cost savings and to simplify operations. The goal of reducing the number of applications fits with this principle, ensuring that reusable and widely adopted applications support business functions across the organization. Adopting this principle will also aid in harmonizing the systems from both organizations and avoiding unnecessary diversity.

Data is an Asset:Data plays a central role in the company's operations, especially with the use of AI-driven inventory management and the integration of systems. Treating data as an asset is essential for reliable and accurate decision-making. This principle ensures that data is viewed as a critical enterprise resource and is managed with care, maintaining integrity, accuracy, and value.

Responsive Change Management:The organization’s ability to adapt quickly and effectively to changes, such as integrating new handheld devices and merging systems, is essential. This principle will facilitate the smooth transition required for integrating the new handheld devices and the merger-related system updates while minimizing disruption to store operations.

Technology Independence:Since the enterprise will likely encounter varied technologies from the merger, it is crucial to maintain flexibility. This principle advocates for using technology solutions that are adaptable and not bound to a single vendor or specific technology. This ensures that the enterprise can integrate various technological components from both organizations and evolve with minimal constraints.

These principles align well with TOGAF's broader recommendations for guiding architectural changes, as found in Section 2.6 of the TOGAF ADM Techniques. They ensure that the EA practice is aligned with business objectives while maintaining flexibility, data integrity, and a focus on enterprise-wide benefits. These guiding principles are critical for the successful execution of the integration and adoption of new technologies while achieving cost efficiencies and improving service delivery.

For reference, TOGAF's ADM Techniques highlight the importance of architectural principles in guiding transformational initiatives, ensuring that decisions are made consistently across the enterprise. Each principle supports organizational agility, system integration, and the efficient use of technology resources, all of which are vital for the enterprise's stated objectives.

Key aspects of the scenario:

Business Objective:

A merger is happening to combine offerings, reduce costs, and achieve operational efficiency.

The goal includes fully integrating retail operations and systems, replacing duplicated systems, and reducing the number of applications used.

Technological Improvements:

A central AI-based inventory system is in place.

Hand-held devices for stores have improved customer and staff satisfaction and increased efficiency.

Scope of Architecture Work:

Integrating the merged systems.

Managing retail architecture to optimize operations.

TOGAF Alignment:

TOGAF principles aim to ensure the architecture supports business transformation effectively while aligning with governance and best practices.

Best answer analysis:

Option 1:

Maximize Benefit to the Enterprise: Aligns with the merger goals of cost reduction and efficiency.

Common Use Applications: Matches the goal to reduce duplicated systems.

Data is an Asset: Central AI system depends on accurate and reliable data.

Responsive Change Management: Necessary to support the transition and manage organizational impacts.

Technology Independence: Encourages selecting flexible, scalable solutions post-merger.

This option comprehensively aligns with the scenario.

Option 2:

Control Technical Diversity: Important but less emphasized than cost reduction and application unification.

Interoperability: Relevant, but less critical compared to principles addressing business value.

Data is an Asset: Relevant.

Data is Shared: Implied in centralized inventory but not directly stated.

Business Continuity: Important but not the main focus here.

This option partially fits but lacks emphasis on business outcomes.

Option 3:

Common Vocabulary and Data Definitions: Indirectly helpful but not central to the transformation.

Compliance with the Law: Always critical, but no explicit legal issues are mentioned.

Requirements-Based Change: General principle but not transformation-specific.

Responsive Change Management: Relevant.

Data Security: Important but not a central concern in the scenario.

This option focuses more on governance and less on merger goals.

Option 4:

Common Use Applications: Relevant to reducing duplicate systems.

Data is an Asset: Relevant.

Data is Accessible: Fits with AI system and handheld devices but is a subset of "Data is an Asset."

Ease of Use: Relevant to handheld devices but not a core transformation principle.

Business Continuity: Important but secondary to cost and efficiency.

This option focuses more on usability and accessibility rather than transformation objectives.

In the TOGAF framework, understanding and addressing stakeholder concerns is crucial, particularly for complex projects with high stakes like the AI-first initiative described in the scenario. This approach aligns well with TOGAF’s ADM (Architecture Development Method) and its emphasis on effective stakeholder management and risk assessment. Here’s why this is the best course of action:

Stakeholder Analysis and Documentation:Conducting a stakeholder analysis is foundational in the early stages of any TOGAF project, particularly during the Preliminary and Architecture Vision phases. This process involves identifying the different stakeholders, understanding their positions, documenting their concerns, and considering any cultural factors that might influence their perspective on the AI-first initiative. Given the diverse concerns raised (such as job security, skill requirements, and cybersecurity), it’s essential to have a clear understanding of each stakeholder group’s priorities and fears.

Recording Concerns in the Architecture Vision Document:The Architecture Vision phase in TOGAF focuses on defining the high-level scope and objectives of the architecture project. By documenting stakeholder concerns and the corresponding views in the Architecture Vision document, the EA team ensures that these concerns are transparently acknowledged and addressed as part of the strategic direction. This step not only aligns with TOGAF best practices but also helps in building stakeholder buy-in and trust.

Architecture Requirements Specification and Risk Management:Risk management is a key aspect of TOGAF’s ADM, particularly in the Requirements Management and Implementation Governance phases. Documenting the requirements for addressing specific risks in the Architecture Requirements Specification provides a structured way to ensure that identified risks are acknowledged and managed throughout the transformation. Regular assessments and feedback loops ensure ongoing alignment and adaptability to emerging risks, which is particularly important given the dynamic nature of AI and its associated challenges.

Alignment with TOGAF ADM Phases:This approach follows the prescribed flow of TOGAF’s ADM, starting with stakeholder engagement in the Preliminary and Architecture Vision phases and progressing to risk assessment in the Requirements Management phase. By maintaining a focus on stakeholder needs and formalizing these into architecture requirements, the EA team can ensure that the architecture not only meets business objectives but also mitigates stakeholder concerns.

TOGAF Reference on Stakeholder Management Techniques:TOGAF places significant emphasis on managing stakeholder concerns through its stakeholder management techniques, which highlight the need to systematically identify, analyze, and address the concerns of all involved parties. This practice helps ensure that the architecture is viable and accepted across the organization.

By conducting a thorough stakeholder analysis and integrating the findings into both the Architecture Vision and the Architecture Requirements Specification, the EA team can proactively address stakeholder concerns, manage risks, and align the AI-first initiative with the agency’s strategic objectives. This approach is consistent with TOGAF’s guidance and provides a structured framework for addressing both business and technical challenges in the context of an AI-first transformation.

In TOGAF, creating a Business Scenario is a foundational step in defining and understanding the business problem, especially for complex transformations involving multiple stakeholders and systems, such as in this scenario. This method aligns with Phase A (Architecture Vision) of the TOGAF Architecture Development Method (ADM). Here’s why this approach is the most effective:

Understanding Business Requirements:A Business Scenario provides a structured way to capture and analyze the business requirements, stakeholder concerns, and the contextual elements related to the problem. In this scenario, the company faces challenges in integrating newly acquired companies with existing operations, which includes complex stakeholder concerns across different functional areas. Developing a Business Scenario allows the EA team to break down these complexities into identifiable and manageable parts.

Risk Evaluation and Management:By using the Business Scenario approach, the EA team can not only define the requirements but also assess associated risks systematically. TOGAF emphasizes the importance of risk management through identifying potential risks, evaluating their impact, and defining strategies for handling these risks. The process includes assessing how risks can be avoided, transferred, or reduced—a necessary step in large-scale transformations to ensure that risks are proactively managed.

Residual Risks and Governance:Any risks that cannot be fully resolved should be identified as residual risks and escalated to the Architecture Board, which is aligned with TOGAF’s governance approach. The Architecture Board’s role in TOGAF is to provide oversight and make critical decisions on risks that exceed the control of the EA team. This ensures that unresolved risks are managed at the appropriate level of the organization.

Alignment with TOGAF ADM Phases:The Business Scenario approach directly aligns with the Preliminary and Architecture Vision phases of the TOGAF ADM, which focuses on establishing a baseline understanding of the business context and the strategic transformation required. The detailed understanding of requirements, stakeholder concerns, and risks identified here will guide the subsequent phases of the ADM, including Business Architecture and Information Systems Architecture.

TOGAF Reference (Section 2.6, ADM Techniques):TOGAF provides guidelines on the creation of Business Scenarios as part of ADM Techniques, highlighting the importance of defining a business problem comprehensively to ensure successful transformation. This method includes identification of stakeholders, business requirements, and associated risks, which aligns well with the company's need for strategic and systematic integration of new business units.

By utilizing a Business Scenario, the EA team ensures that all aspects of the transformation are well understood, risks are identified early, and residual risks are managed effectively, aligning with the company's strategic objectives and the TOGAF framework’s guidance on risk management and stakeholder alignment.

A Stakeholder Map is a technique that can be used to identify and classify the stakeholders of the architecture work, and to document their key interests, requirements, and concerns. A stakeholder is any person, group, or organization that has a stake in the outcome of the architecture work, such as the sponsor, the client, the users, the suppliers, the regulators, or the competitors. A Stakeholder Map can help to understand the needs and expectations of the stakeholders, and to communicate and engage with them effectively1

The steps for creating a Stakeholder Map are:

Identify the stakeholders of the architecture work, using various sources and methods, such as interviews, surveys, workshops, or existing documents.

Classify the stakeholders according to their roles, responsibilities, and relationships, using various criteria and dimensions, such as power, influence, interest, attitude, or impact.

Define the concerns and relevant views for each stakeholder group, using various techniques, such as business scenarios, use cases, or value propositions. A concern is a key interest or issue that is relevant to the stakeholder, such as a goal, a problem, a need, or a risk. A view is a representation of the system of interest from the perspective of one or more stakeholders and their concerns.

Record the stakeholders and their concerns in a Stakeholder Map, which shows the mapping between the stakeholder groups, the concerns, and the views. The Stakeholder Map also shows the dependencies, assumptions, and issues related to each stakeholder and concern.

Therefore, the best answer is B, because it recommends the approach that would enable the development of an architecture that addresses the concerns of the CIO and the partners, using the Stakeholder Map technique. The answer covers the following aspects:

An analysis of the stakeholders is undertaken, which involves identifying, classifying, and defining the stakeholders and their concerns.

The stakeholders and their concerns are documented in a Stakeholder Map, which provides a clear and comprehensive picture of the stakeholder landscape and their interests.

The concerns and relevant views are recorded in the Architecture Vision document, which is the output of Phase A: Architecture Vision of the Architecture Development Method (ADM), which is the core process of the TOGAF standard that guides the development and management of the enterprise architecture. The Architecture Vision defines the scope and approach of the architecture work, and establishes the business goals and drivers that motivate the architecture work. The Architecture Vision also involves obtaining the approval and commitment of the sponsors and other key stakeholders, and initiating the Architecture Governance process2

The requirements include risk mitigation through regular assessments, which involves identifying, analyzing, and evaluating the risks that may affect the architecture, and determining the appropriate measures or actions to prevent, reduce, or mitigate the risks. Risk mitigation can also involve monitoring and reviewing the risk situation, and communicating and reporting the risk status and actions3

This approach also allows a supervised agile implementation of the continuous Machine Learning, which involves applying agile principles and practices to the architecture development and implementation, such as iterative and incremental delivery, frequent feedback, collaboration, and adaptation. A supervised agile implementation can help to ensure the quality, value, and alignment of the architecture, and to respond to the changing needs and expectations of the stakeholders.

References: 1: The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2, Part III: ADM Guidelines and Techniques, Chapter 24: Stakeholder Management 2: The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2, Part II: Architecture Development Method (ADM), Chapter 18: Phase A: Architecture Vision 3: The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2, Part III: ADM Guidelines and Techniques, Chapter 32: Risk Management : The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2, Part III: ADM Guidelines and Techniques, Chapter 29: Applying Iteration to the ADM