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Phase B: Business Architecture Knowledge-Based Study

TOGAF · Enterprise Architecture Capability and Governance · Foundation · Establishing an Architecture Capability

Foundation topic explanations on Phase B: Business Architecture.

Study notes

  1. Applying Phase B to the Architecture Capability

    In the TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition, the Architecture Development Method (ADM) can be applied iteratively to build or enhance the Enterprise Architecture (EA) Capability itself. When establishing an Architecture Capability, Phase B: Business Architecture focuses on defining the business operations, organizational structures, and governance mechanisms required for the architecture practice.

    Rather than developing a business architecture for the wider enterprise, Phase B here describes:

    • Architecture Organization: The roles, responsibilities, reporting lines, and stakeholder communities executing EA work.
    • Architecture Processes: The processes needed to operate the capability, including architecture development, governance, request for architecture work management, and compliance reviews.
    • Architecture Skills and Roles: Defining competencies, skill requirements, and training roadmaps aligned with frameworks such as the TOGAF Architecture Skills Framework.
    • Business Models and Operating Models for EA: How the EA function interacts with portfolio management, project delivery, operations, and executive leadership.

    Steps and Outputs in Phase B

    Executing Phase B to establish an Architecture Capability follows the standard ADM logic adapted to internal capability design:

    1. Select Reference Models, Viewpoints, and Tools: Select standard operating models for architecture offices (such as centralized, federated, or embedded EA models) and determine appropriate modeling viewpoints.
    2. Develop Baseline Business Architecture Description: Document the current state of architecture processes, informal governance boards, existing job descriptions, and current tool support.
    3. Develop Target Business Architecture Description: Define the desired operating model, formal Architecture Board charter, defined service catalogs, and RACI matrices for architecture deliverables.
    4. Perform Gap Analysis: Identify missing skills, undefined governance gates, redundant review activities, and gaps in process alignment with other frameworks (e.g., ITIL, SAFe, PMBOK).
    5. Define Candidate Roadmap Components: Identify discrete organizational changes and process rollouts required to mature the EA practice.

    Key Outputs

    Typical outputs include an Architecture Capability Business Architecture Document containing business capability models of the EA practice, organization charts, updated Architecture Board charters, and documented service definitions for architecture engagements.

    Essential Conceptual Distinctions

    A frequent area of confusion in TOGAF examinations and practice is distinguishing between standard Phase B delivery and Phase B executed during capability establishment:

    • Subject Matter: Standard Phase B models the enterprise's core business functions, value streams, business capabilities, and organizational actors. In contrast, capability-focused Phase B models the enterprise architecture function itself as a business unit within the organization.
    • Value Streams: The capability value stream typically spans from Strategy Intake to Architecture Definition, Governance Enforcement, and Value Realization.
    • Governance Focus: Standard Phase B identifies governance touchpoints for enterprise solutions; capability Phase B establishes the Architecture Board, charter, authority levels, and compliance escalation workflows.

    Knowledge Check

    Test your understanding of Phase B as applied to establishing an Enterprise Architecture Capability.

    Question: When applying ADM Phase B to establish an Enterprise Architecture Capability, which of the following represents the primary focus of the Target Business Architecture?

    • A: Defining the core commercial products, customer journeys, and external market segments of the enterprise.
    • B: Modeling the processes, organizational structures, roles, and governance charters required to deliver the architecture service.
    • C: Selecting specific database engines, software licenses, and server topologies for the architecture repository.
    • D: Finalizing the contractual terms, procurement schedules, and implementation budgets for external transformation vendors.

    Correct Answer: B

    Explanation: In the context of establishing an Architecture Capability, the ADM is applied to the architecture practice itself. Therefore, Phase B (Business Architecture) models the internal operations of the EA function, including its operating model, architecture governance processes, organizational roles, RACI charts, and Architecture Board charters. Option A refers to standard enterprise-wide Phase B. Option C addresses technology architecture (Phase D), and Option D relates to implementation planning and vendor procurement (Phase F).