OGEA-103 TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Combined Part 1 and Part 2 Exam Questions and Answers

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

The purpose of the Architecture Roadmap is to provide a high-level view of how the Baseline Architecture will transition to the Target Architecture over time. It lists work packages on a timeline showing progress towards the Target Architecture, as well as dependencies, risks, and benefits. The Architecture Roadmap forms part of the Implementation and Migration Plan and guides the execution of the architecture projects. References: https://pubs.opengroup.org/architecture/togaf9-doc/arch/chap20.html

Risk Management is the process of identifying, assessing, and responding to risks that may affect the achievement of the enterprise’s objectives. Risk Management involves balancing positive and negative outcomes resulting from the realization of either opportunities or threats. Reference: The TOGAF® Standard | The Open Group Website, Section 3.3.3 Risk Management.

Strategy Portfolio Project Solution Delivery are the four purposes that typically frame the planning horizon, depth and breadth of an Architecture Project, and the contents of the EA Repository. They correspond to different levels of abstraction and granularity in the architecture development process. Reference: The TOGAF® Standard, Version 9.2 - The Open Group, Section 2.4 Architecture Repository.

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.

Gap analysis is a technique that is used to validate an architecture by highlighting the shortfall between the Baseline Architecture and the Target Architecture. One of the purposes of gap analysis is to identify missing functions that are either deliberately omitted, accidentally left out, or not yet defined in the Target Architecture. Missing functions are marked as gaps that need to be filled by developing or procuring the building blocks. 

According to the TOGAF standard, the deliverables that match the descriptions are as follows:

1 Architecture Principles: These are general rules and guidelines, intended to be enduring and seldom amended, that inform and support the way in which an organization sets about fulfilling its mission1. They reflect a level of consensus among the various elements of the enterprise, and form the basis for making future IT decisions1.

2 Architecture Contracts: These are the joint agreements between development partners and sponsors on the deliverables, quality, and fitness-for-purpose of an architecture2. They are used to ensure that the architecture is implemented and governed according to the agreed-upon specifications and standards2.

3 Request for Architecture Work: This is a document that is sent from the sponsoring organization to the architecture organization to trigger the start of an architecture development cycle3. It defines the scope, schedule, budget, deliverables, and stakeholders of the architecture project3.

4 Architecture Requirements Specification: This is a set of quantitative statements that outline what an implementation project must do in order to comply with the architecture4. It defines the requirements for each architecture domain, as well as the relationships and dependencies among them4.

References: 1: Architecture Principles 2: Architecture Contracts 3: Request for Architecture Work 4: Architecture Requirements Specification

The purpose of the Gap Analysis technique is similar to the previous question, but with a focus on the Target Architecture. The technique helps to identify the items that are not included or specified in the Target Architecture, such as capabilities, services, components, standards, or technologies. These items may be essential for achieving the vision and goals of the enterprise, or for addressing the stakeholder concerns and requirements. By identifying the items omitted from the Target Architecture, the technique helps to ensure that the architecture is comprehensive, feasible, and realistic.

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

The purpose of the Preliminary Phase is to architect an Enterprise Architecture Capability that meets the needs and expectations of the enterprise’s stakeholders and supports and enables subsequent phases of architecture development and transition. This phase involves defining the scope, principles, framework, and governance for the Enterprise Architecture Capability. Reference: The TOGAF® Standard | The Open Group Website, Section 3.2 Preliminary Phase.

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.

Business principles business goals, and business drivers provide context for architecture work, by describing the needs and ways of working employed by the enterprise. They define what the enterprise wants to achieve, how it wants to operate, and what factors influence its decisions and actions. Reference: The TOGAF® Standard | The Open Group Website, Section 3.2 Preliminary Phase.

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.

The Implementation Governance Model is a framework that defines the roles, responsibilities, processes, and standards for governing the implementation of the target architecture. It ensures that a project transitioning into implementation also smoothly transitions into appropriate Architecture Governance, which is the practice of ensuring compliance with the enterprise architecture and its principles, standards, and goals. The Implementation Governance Model is part of the Implementation and Migration Plan, which is the output of Phase F: Migration Planning of the Architecture Development Method (ADM)12 References: 1: The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2, Part II: Architecture Development Method (ADM), Chapter 21: Phase F: Migration Planning 2: The TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2, Part VI: Architecture Capability Framework, Chapter 50: Architecture Governance

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

In the context of the TOGAF standard, stakeholder management and addressing stakeholder concerns are critical components, especially for high-impact initiatives like adopting an AI-first approach. Here’s why the selected answer aligns best with TOGAF principles and the scenario:

Stakeholder Analysis and Engagement:Conducting a stakeholder analysis is essential as it helps identify and document the concerns, issues, and cultural factors influencing each stakeholder group. This aligns with TOGAF’s emphasis on understanding and managing stakeholder concerns, particularly in the Preliminary and Architecture Vision phases of the ADM (Architecture Development Method). Since the scenario highlights diverse concerns about AI, understanding each group's unique perspective will help the EA team tailor the architecture to address these effectively.

Architecture Vision Document:By documenting these concerns in the Architecture Vision document, the EA team can provide a clear, high-level representation of how AI will be adopted, its benefits, and how it addresses specific stakeholder concerns. This is critical for communicating the intent and value of the AI-first approach in a way that aligns with the agency's strategic goals, including addressing apprehensions about job security, skill development, and cyber resilience.

Risk Management and Architecture Requirements Specification:TOGAF highlights the importance of identifying and managing risks early in the process. By documenting the requirements related to risk in the Architecture Requirements Specification, the EA team ensures that these concerns are formally integrated into the architecture and addressed throughout the ADM phases. Regular assessments and feedback loops will provide a mechanism for continual risk monitoring and adjustment as the AI-first initiative progresses.

Alignment with TOGAF’s ADM Phases:The approach specified aligns with TOGAF’s guidance on managing risk and stakeholder concerns during the early ADM phases, specifically Architecture Vision and Requirements Management. In these phases, the framework emphasizes identifying and addressing risks associated with stakeholders' concerns to build a resilient and widely accepted architecture.

Reference to TOGAF Stakeholder Management Techniques:TOGAF’s stakeholder management techniques underscore the importance of understanding and addressing stakeholder needs as a foundational step. This involves assessing the influence and interest of various stakeholders and integrating their views into architectural development, ensuring that the architecture aligns with both business goals and operational realities.

In conclusion, by conducting a thorough stakeholder analysis and documenting concerns in both the Architecture Vision and Architecture Requirements Specification, the EA team can ensure that stakeholder concerns are addressed, that the architecture supports AI adoption effectively, and that potential risks are managed proactively. This approach will foster acceptance among stakeholders and ensure that the architecture aligns with the agency’s strategic goals and risk management requirements as recommended by TOGAF.

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 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

Phase B of the ADM cycle is the Business Architecture phase. It describes the development of a Business Architecture to support an agreed Architecture Vision. The objectives of this phase are to describe the baseline and target Business Architecture, identify candidate Architecture Roadmap components based on gaps between the baseline and target, and determine whether an incremental approach is required. Reference: The TOGAF® Standard | The Open Group Website, Section 3.2.2 Phase B: Business Architecture.

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.