TOGAF is NOT an EA Framework: The Inconvenient Pragmatic Truth

by Kevin Lee Smith, Svyatoslav Kotusev (Contributor), Tom Graves (Contributor)

So, why did I decide to compile this book. I believe that TOGAF has done more to damage the EA “profession” (such as it isn’t!) than anything else in the world, and that the EA “profession” would be in a much better place today if TOGAF had never existed. There are two main confusions that exist with regards to peoples (practitioners and management) understanding of EA. And the reason for this mass misunderstanding is because this is what TOGAF tends to push. People are told that TOGAF is an EA framework by the confused majority and so new people believe it to, which of course, adds to the majority thinking and saying the same wrong things. These fundamental misunderstandings have to be tackled if an EA profession is to exist. I compiled this book to start a proper debate on the subject and also to allow people to realise that there is a choice out there between which EA frameworks they can use and who they talk to that may have different ideas to The Open Group. Why have so many people been on TOGAF training courses? I believe that everyone goes on TOGAF courses for 2 main

78 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2018

Reviews

[Raymond Goss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been a strategic systems architect/enterprise architect for more than 10 years. I agree with the authors that TOGAF isn't an EA framework, nor is it based on best practices. I also agree that frameworks are like crack cocaine for executives, who just eat this stuff up even if they serve no useful purpose. Part of the problem is that TOGAF isn't a framework that you can directly use and build on. It also is geared toward IT infrastructure only (not my core area). This book does discuss several alternatives and where they apply but does not do a deep dive into what Enterprise Architects should use or do.
I also agree with the authors that TOGAF credentialing is about useless. It serves the community who benefits from selling TOGAF training and certifications. It maybe worth something if you need to put it on a resume, but do you want to work for company that requires it and therefore plans to "use" it?

The book is a quick read and probably fun for those who do know TOGAF.