A number of Forum working groups met before the start of the full
Architecture Forum meeting:
- Modeling work group
- Certification standing committee
- ADML project group
- 2008 Revision project
Each of these groups reported back within the structure of the
Architecture Forum meeting.
Topics covered during the Architecture Forum meeting included:
TOGAF 2008 Revision Status
This meeting considered a revised "snapshot" draft of the TOGAF 2008
Revision, representing the results of merging the various submissions
for inclusion in the specification. (A meeting held in November 2007 to
consider all of the comments raised against the original Fast Track
specification provided direction to the editor.)
Two significant issues needed to be addressed:
- The glossary of terms and abbreviations. The glossary from TOGAF
8.1.1 is outdated and incomplete. Andrew Josey has created a WIKI
page for the development of the Definitions and Abbreviations section
for the TOGAF 2008 Revision. It was recognized that The Open Group
needs to coordinate the definitions and terminology with similar
work being undertaken in a number of other areas to ensure
consistency, but that this is out of scope of the revision
project.
- Two chapters addressing the concept of the Enterprise Continuum
in the "snapshot" draft were not accepted. A small group prepared a
revised proposal which was much more acceptable, but still needs
further review in the next round of balloting.
Based on the "snapshot" draft it was agreed that two further
drafts
and recirculation reviews will be needed to achieve consensus. Board
Approval is now expected in September 2008 which will allow publication
in the final quarter of the year.
See also Product Management and Marketing
Update below.
Future of TOGAF 7
Several options for the ongoing provision of a Technology
Architecture Framework (equivalent to TOGAF 7) were discussed:
- A revision of TOGAF 7
- Extract a Technology Architecture from TOGAF 8.1.1
- Structure the TOGAF 2008 Revision so that a number of different
subsets can be created (one of which would be a Technology
Architecture Framework)
- Multiple compliance profiles against a single specification
There was no consensus around a particular approach at this meeting.
Core Working Group
Jane Varnus reported on the work of the Core Working
Group, which has completed its work on defining and applying categories
for the contents of TOGAF with the exception of:
- The new material on Enterprise Continuum (which has not been
categorized yet)
- The Architecture Development Method (where there are objections
to the proposed categorization)
The group will meet (virtually) once more to address these issues and
will then become the Categorization Working Group to
categorize any future submissions.
All contents in TOGAF will be categorized as follows:
- TOGAF Core
- TOGAF Mandated
- TOGAF Recommended
- TOGAF Supporting
Exploitation of White Papers
Chris Greenslade presented the results of an
activity to examine the existing library of white papers to look for
information that could be included in a future revision of TOGAF or the
resource base and recommended the inclusion of material from:
- Security Architecture (already included in the TOGAF 2008
Revision)
- TOGAF and DODAF (subject to copyright permission)
- TOGAF and COBIT (part 1 only)
Case Studies
Judith Jones reported on the work of the Case
Studies Working Group. The objective is to create a library of TOGAF
case studies, based primarily on materials presented during APCs.
The target is to have this in place with around 100 Case Studies by
the end of 2008.
Localization
Judith Jones reported on the activities of the
Localization Project. The objective is to establish a framework within
which localized versions of TOGAF can be developed.
The project has taken advice from LISA (Localization Industry
Standards Association), which reinforces the need to get an agreed set
of key terms as a baseline.
Initial languages being considered are:
- French/Canadian French
- Polish
- Spanish
ADML
An initial meeting has been held looking at options to co-operate
with the Archimate Foundation on the definition of a formal Architecture
Definition Language. Legal and IPR issues need to be addressed before
this activity can progress.
Certification Standing Committee
Terry Blevins presented the work of the Certification Standing
Committee which has resulted in:
- An agreed process for handling "issues" with the certification
program, ranging from interpretations against the existing programs
to creation of new programs
- A proposed action plan to address the apparent low rate of
certification renewals
Business Architecture
Dave van Gelder presented a summary of the work of
the Business Architecture Working Group. The Forum discussed ways of
getting a closer link between the Forum and the Business Architecture
Working Group. In particular, the Working Group has produced a paper
which attempts to define the role of Business Architecture, parts of
which should be considered for a future revision of TOGAF.
Work from this working group needs to be considered by the Modeling
& Terminology Working Group.
Modeling & Terminology
Bill Estrem reported on the work of the Modeling & Terminology Working Group. The working group has produced a
comprehensive set of requirements for modeling work, which now need to
be de-duplicated and prioritized. The group has now agreed on an approach
to develop a SPEM-based model of TOGAF.
Product Management and Marketing Update
Garry Doherty presented the draft Product Management
and Marketing Strategy for 2008. A major feature will be the market
introduction of the TOGAF 2008 Revision.
The Forum provided input to the Marketing group on a number of
issues:
- Naming of the TOGAF 2008 Revision: This will be decided by The
Open Group Product Manager, taking into account input from the
Forum.
- Publication format: The existing single book format is popular,
but should be supplemented by a more compact publication containing
the elements of the specification categorized as Core or Mandated.
- Certification: The certification program should be evolutionary
rather than revolutionary from the existing TOGAF 8 certification
program. It is desirable that the certification and specification
programs for the TOGAF 2008 Revision be launched at the same time.
Definition of Enterprise Architecture
Len Fehskens identified the need for The Open Group
to have a definition of the term Enterprise Architecture. His proposal
was generally well received, but stimulated considerable discussion.
"The properties of a business, company, or comparable organization and
its environment that are essential to its fitness-for-purpose for its
specified mission."
Work will continue in this area.
Meeting Administration
- The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted without
amendment.
- The list of outstanding issues, actions, and consent items was
reviewed at the start and end of the meeting.
- Mechanisms for "virtual meetings" were reviewed.
- Three defect reports against the TOGAF 8.1.1 specification were
addressed.
- The roadmap documents for the Forum and active projects were reviewed and published. Produced within a standard template defined
by the Customer and Supplier Councils, this is a valuable mechanism
for communication with other Forums and Working Groups.
Architecture Forum Status Report
Garry Doherty presented a brief report on the
activities of the Forum since October 2007. There has been a great deal
of active work within a number of working groups and standing
committees:
- Core
- Localization
- Case Studies
- Modeling
- Marketing
- Certification
As at December 31 2007, there were 164 members of the Forum.
Publications Update
Andrew Josey presented a brief publications report.
Three publications are now available through Van Haren Publishing:
- TOGAF The Book
- TOGAF 8.1.1 Study Guide
- TOGAF 8.1.1 Pocket Guide
The publishers believe there is a business case to translate the
pocket guide (initially) into French and Spanish. This is dependent on
the creation of an agreed glossary of key terms.
Staffing Update
Len Fehskens has joined The Open Group as VP, Skills & Capabilities.
