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Originally Posted On: https://advisedskills.com/about/news/146-what-is-togaf-and-why-should-every-enterprise-architect-know-how-to-use-it

 

TOGAF stands for The Open Group Architecture Framework. It is a advanced approach to design that enterprise architects frequently use. But what is it, exactly, and why should we be concerned with it? Click here to find out.

Keyword(s): togaf

 

How you create and use your enterprise architecture can determine the potential for attaining your goals. The architecture design for your infrastructure is complicated without a practical framework.

Thanks to TOGAF, it’s possible to improve the efficiency of your business through a better architectural framework. Enterprise architects can build open systems-based solutions that meet your unique business needs.

Unfortunately, not so many users understand the importance of TOGAF. In this post, we’re going to define this framework and discuss its benefits to architects and organizations.

Keep on reading to learn more!

What Is TOGAF?

TOGAF stands for The Open Group Architecture Framework. It’s a framework that allows businesses to design, plan, develop, and implement their infrastructure with fewer errors while staying on budget.

The Open Group developed the framework in 1995, and it offers it to organizations to use it free internally. Organizations can’t use it for commercial purposes. This global consortium also provides certified tools and courses that businesses can use to implement TOGAF.

It also features Architecture Development Method (ADM). This is a method that’s a result of the continuous contributions from different TOGAF experts. ADM helps architects to develop an enterprise that meets most system and organizational requirements.

To achieve this, businesses need to work with trained and certified professionals. Such professionals communicate with the various department heads to ensure a seamless design process. They also design and implement a strategy that best suits your business needs.

The Role of Certified Professionals

The central role of TOGAF-certified architects is to demystify the complex and technical processes of architecture development.

Through the certification, it’s possible to master all the principles of enterprise architecture. This skill allows them to help organizations and businesses in developing long-term strategies. It also helps them to manage the entire infrastructure portfolio.

Certified experts assist in building a roadmap that guides an organization based on The Open Group Architecture Framework standards. They define all aspects of technology and ensure all processes within a company run smoothly.

Their role helps to ensure there is an alignment between an organization’s goals and their technology. They oversee the lifecycles of technology in a company, especially when there are new updates, versions, or changes.

Why You Need TOGAF Certification

As an enterprise architect, you need to know how to use The Open Group Architecture Framework. Since TOGAF is a world’s leading framework, getting the certification puts you at the top of the enterprise architecture field. It gives you the skills to develop, fix, and organize your company’s infrastructure.

In this section, we’re going to cover some of the reasons for getting the certification as an enterprise architect.

1. Learn a Common Language

Being certified in the frameworks allows you to work and collaborate with other TOGAF architects. This is because the certification is unique to enterprise architecture professionals.

Planning and implementing the framework requires excellent communication skills. You should be able to explain the elements and principles of the structure to professionals and non-professionals. This allows you to get people on board with your ideas easily.

2. Meet Your Organization’s Needs Better

Organizations continuously look for ways to complete tasks with the least amount of time and effort. This certification teaches you how to meet your company’s needs adequately. You can determine how your companies spend the budget and identify areas where you can cut the costs.

TOGAF also teaches you how to organize your team to function as a single unit. You can optimize processes and reduce friction to ensure all departments work efficiently. With your skills, this makes running a company easier.

Basically, The Open Group Architecture Framework gives you the ability to simplify operations in your company.

3. Earn New Opportunities

Big corporations are usually looking for top experts in different fields. With your certification, you stand a chance to grow your career. This is because you have been trained and tested by an industry-recognized board.

As business architecture methodology advances, the demand for expert skills soar. Organizations want people who will help them prevent their business’s enterprise architecture from becoming obsolete. Banks, hospitals, and large corporations in other industries will trust you to fix their enterprise management problems.

Bear in mind that certified professionals usually start at more than $80,000 per year.

4. Improve Your Managerial Skills

If you’re looking to become a department head, then this certification can give you the boost you want. The training and testing involve all the technical and managerial aspects of enterprise architecture.

As a professional, the certification allows you to design an infrastructure that ensures effective and efficient use of resources. This allows you to oversee everything in the development process. You can coordinate all the roles, assign tasks, and review the performance of each member.

This experience prepares you for managerial positions in the future as you can oversee and implement a project effectively.

Benefits of TOGAF In Organizations

The main advantage is that the framework is customizable to meet an organization’s needs. It’s also scalable as your team can roll it out to all other departments without heavy tweaking. Most importantly, the Open Group releases regular updates and versions to keep it future-proof.

It helps to reduce cost, time, and risk involved in the development of enterprise infrastructure. Organizations can also realize quick benefits from implementation due to improved flexibility and freedom. This allows for steady business growth and easy restructuring.

The framework is no miracle tool, but it provides the structure that teams need to implement new technologies. However, it can only work if the right professionals implement it. This is important for organizations that are steering towards agility.

Final Thoughts

Are you an enterprise architect looking to grow your portfolio? Then, you should consider earning The Open Group Architecture Framework certification.

There are training courses you can take and get certified, and this will benefit your organization and you as well. If you are looking for Certified or Foundation TOGAF training, Architecture Center Ltd is here to help you.

We provide consultancy services and training in enterprise architecture and business processes management. Whether you are in Germany, Poland, India, France, United Kingdom, South Africa, Denmark or Turkey, you can benefit from our services.

Just get in touch with us, and we’ll take you through all you need to know about this enterprise framework.