TOGAF Architecture Repository ("CRIB NOTES")

TOGAF Architecture Repository

TOGAF states that a mature architecture capability requires an Architecture Repository in order to structure all of the information generated and managed by the architecture team. TOGAF provides a structural framework for such Repository. 
« At a high level, six classes of architectural information are expected to be held within an Architecture Repository : »  

• The Architecture Metamodel  
• The Architecture Capability 
• The Architecture Landscape 
• The Standards Information Base 
• The Reference Library 
• The Governance Log 

The picture reproduced below illustrates TOGAF’s Framework for the Repository. 

TOGAF ARCHITECTURE REPOSITORY

The Architecture Metamodel 

Describes the architecture framework tailored to the organization, including: 

• The Architecture Content Metamodel (i.e. the set of 17 to 32 categories of building blocks, as defined for the organization) 
•  The set of artifacts (or viewpoints) as defined for the organization 
• The set of deliverables 
• The method for architecture development 

The Architecture Capability 

Defines the processes and the organization that support the governance of the architecture macro functions :  

•  The management and development of the enabling capabilities (including training and certification of the architects, management and development of the Enterprise Continuum, development of new processes, etc.) 
• Demand management and monitorization of request for changes  
• The development of new architectures  

The Architecture Landscape 

Architectural views of the building blocks in the organization (such as the application landscape, data landscape and technology landscape).

The architecture landscape is divided in three levels the granularity:

• Strategic architectures : show a long-term summary of the entire enterprise. This view is used at the executive level, for setting directions. 
• Segment architectures : show operating models for areas within an enterprise (business functions, business services, process models). This view is used at the portfolio management level, fur supporting planning. 
•  Capability architectures : detailed models of building blocks, describing the units of capability (application component models, data element models, technology component models). This view is used for defining the work packages.

Standards Information Base

The SIB provides a repository area to hold the corporate standards to which architecture building blocks must conform.

Standards fall into three classes :

• Legal and regulatory obligations   
• Industry's standards  
• Organizational standards 

The SIB is aimed at the teams developing new architectures. The governance of these projects by the architecture team will assess the compliance of their products to the standards in the SIB.

The Reference Library 

The Reference Library is intended to store « best practice », template and reference materials that may be used/reused  for building the new architectures (that is, part or all of the materials structured by the Enterprise Continuum). This material includes : 

• Foundation architectures 
• Common systems architectures 
• Industry architectures 
• Organization specific architectures (developed in previous engagements and re-worked for later reuse) 

The Governance Log 

The Governance Log holds information produced during the architecture governance processes, that must be available for later use and reference.

It should contain the following groups of information: 

• Decision log 
• Compliance assessments 
• Capability assessments 
• Calendar 
• Project portfolio  
• Performance measurement

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