ADM Documentation

The Architecture Development Method (ADM) has ten Phases, as identified here. The approach and complete description of each Phase are provided in the TOGAF 9 documentation available on The Open Group website, to identify the objectives, inputs, steps and outputs of each phase.

Preliminary Phase: Framework and Principles

The Preliminary Phase is about defining 'where, what, why, who, and how we do architecture' in the enterprise concerned. The main aspects are:

Defining the enterprise
Identifying key drivers and elements in the organizational context
Defining the requirements for architecture work
Defining the architecture principles that will inform any architecture work
Defining the framework to be used
Defining the relationships between management frameworks
Evaluating the enterprise architecture maturity

Phase A: Architecture Vision

Architecture Vision starts with receipt of a Request for Architecture Work from the sponsoring organization to the architecture organization. During this phase, you define the architecture scope, how to create the vision, and obtain approvals.

Phase B: Business Architecture

Business Architecture is the first architecture activity that must be undertaken, if not catered for already in other organizational processes (such as enterprise planning, strategic business planning or business process re-engineering).

Phase C: Information Systems Architectures

In this phase you develop the Information Systems Architectures, including the Data and Applications Architectures. Detailed steps for Phase C are given separately for each architecture domain:

Data Architecture
Applications Architecture

Phase D: Technology Architecture

The steps within the Technology Architecture phase are:

Select reference models, viewpoints, and tools
Develop Baseline Technology Architecture Description
Develop Target Technology Architecture Description
Perform gap analysis
Define roadmap components
Resolve impacts across the Architecture Landscape
Conduct formal stakeholder review
Finalize the Technology Architecture
Create Architecture Definition Document

Phase E: Opportunities and Solutions

In the Opportunities and Solutions phase you identify the parameters of change, the major phases along the way, and the top-level projects to be undertaken in moving from the current environment to the target.

Phase F: Migration Planning

During the Migration Planning phase you sort the various implementation projects into priority order. Activities include assessing the dependencies, costs and benefits of the various migration projects.

Phase G: Implementation Governance

During the Implementation Governance phase you bring together all the information for successful management of the various implementation projects.

Phase H: Architecture Change Management

In the Architecture Change Management phase you establish an architecture change management process for the new enterprise architecture baseline.

ADM Architecture Requirements Management

The ADM is continuously driven by the Architecture Requirements Management process.

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