TOGAF™ Version 9 Released by The Open Group

Today the Open Group released the latest version of their Enterprise Architecture (EA) Framework "TOGAF 9" (The Open Group Architecture Framework version 9). TOGAF (The Open Group Architecture Framework) has been in development since the mid 90's and is "a standard for assisting in the acceptance, production, use, and maintenance of architectures".

The original development of TOGAF in 1995 was based on the architectural framework developed by the US Department of Defense (DoD). Starting from this sound foundation, successive versions of TOGAF are developed each year and published on The Open Group public web site which can be found at http://www.opengroup.org/togaf/.

Key enhancements to TOGAF 9 include:

• A detailed overview on how to apply the Architecture Development Method (ADM) to specific infrastructure situations, such as SOA and security architecture;
• Expanded content framework with a content meta-model that formalizes the definition of an enterprise architecture and establishes clear links between business and IT objects;
• Revised modular structure for simplified consideration of the specific aspects of an architecture’s core capabilities;
• Extended set of concepts and guidelines to support the creation of integrated hierarchies of architectures within organizations that have design governance models.

Andrew Josey, Director of Standards within the Open Group, states in "An Introduction to TOGAF 9.0" (registration required): “TOGAF 9 can be used for developing a broad range of different enterprise architectures. TOGAF complements, and can be used in conjunction with, other frameworks that are more focused on specific deliverables for particular vertical sectors such as Government, Telecommunications, Manufacturing, Defense, and Finance. The key to TOGAF is the method – the TOGAF Architecture Development Method (ADM) – for developing an enterprise architecture that addresses business needs.”

There have already been a number of reviews and articles about it being released, some of which are well worth having a look at, including Mike Walker's blog article "TOGAF 9 Release and Impressions", Nick Malik provides a detailed break down of the new features in his blog article “A first look at TOGAF 9.0" and online IT industry magazine eBizQ's "Open Group Releases TOGAF Version 9; Ready for SOA".

For more information on TOGAF 9, please visit http://www.opengroup.org/togaf or download the “Introduction to TOGAF 9” whitepaper at http://www.opengroup.org/bookstore/catalog/w094.htm.  For more information on the migration from TOGAF version 8.1.1 to the new version 9, please download the “TOGAF 9: Migration Overview” whitepaper at http://www.opengroup.org/bookstore/catalog/w095.htm.

For more information on becoming a Certified TOGAF 9 practitioner, please visit: http://www.opengroup.org/togaf/cert/ 
For more information on the TOGAF 9 Commercial Licensing program, please visit: http://www.opengroup.org/togaf/

About TOGAF™

TOGAF is an industry standard enterprise architecture framework that may be used freely by any organization wishing to develop an enterprise information systems architecture for use within that organization.  TOGAF has been developed and continuously evolved since the mid-90’s by representatives of some of the world’s leading IT customer and vendor organizations working in The Open Group's Architecture Forum. Details of the Forum are given on the Architecture Form Web site at: http://www.opengroup.org/architecture/.

About The Open Group

The Open Group is a vendor-neutral and technology-neutral consortium, which drives the creation of Boundaryless Information Flow™ that will enable access to integrated information within and between enterprises based on open standards and global interoperability. The Open Group works with customers, suppliers, consortia and other standard bodies. Its role is to capture, understand and address current and emerging requirements, establish policies and share best practices; to facilitate interoperability, develop consensus, and evolve and integrate specifications and open source technologies; to offer a comprehensive set of services to enhance the operational efficiency of consortia; and to operate the industry’s premier certification service. Further information on The Open Group can be found at: http://www.opengroup.org.