When I first got to know about enterprise architecture, I assumed the process was straightforward—just design systems that work together. But the reality is far more complex. Organizations have stakeholders with conflicting priorities, legacy systems that refuse to cooperate, and business goals that shift faster than technology can keep up. This is exactly why the Architecture Development Method Phases exist within TOGAF.
In this guide, I will walk you through every TOGAF ADM phase in detail. You will learn what happens at each stage, why it matters, and how the TOGAF ADM phases and TOGAF ADM phases explained connect to create a cohesive architecture. Whether you are preparing for certification or implementing TOGAF in your organization, understanding these TOGAF phases will give you the clarity you need to succeed.
What Are TOGAF ADM Phases and Why Do They Matter?
The TOGAF ADM phases are a series of structured stages that guide organizations through the process of developing enterprise architecture. ADM stands for Architecture Development Method, and it forms the core of the TOGAF framework. Think of the TOGAF ADM phases as a repeatable cycle that helps architects move from vision to implementation without losing sight of business goals.
What makes the Architecture Development Method Phases powerful is their flexibility. While the phases follow a logical sequence, they are designed to be adapted based on organizational needs. You can iterate between phases, skip certain steps when appropriate, or dive deeper into specific areas depending on the project scope.
The ADM addresses a fundamental challenge in enterprise architecture: how do you align IT systems with business strategy while managing complexity, stakeholder expectations, and continuous change? By breaking the process into manageable phases, TOGAF ensures nothing falls through the cracks.
How Many TOGAF Phases Are There in the ADM Cycle?
The TOGAF ADM consists of ten phases, including a Preliminary Phase and Requirements Management that operates continuously throughout the cycle. Each phase has specific objectives, inputs, and deliverables. Here is a quick overview of all the TOGAF ADM phases:
Phase | Name | Primary Purpose |
Preliminary | Framework & Principles | Establish architecture capability and governance |
A | Architecture Vision | Define scope, stakeholders, and high-level vision |
B | Business Architecture | Develop target business architecture aligned with goals |
C | Information Systems Architecture | Design data and application architecture |
D | Technology Architecture | Define infrastructure and technology components |
E | Opportunities & Solutions | Identify work packages and transition architectures |
F | Migration Planning | Prioritize projects and create an implementation roadmap |
G | Implementation Governance | Oversee implementation and ensure conformance |
H | Architecture Change Management | Manage ongoing changes and maintain relevance |
Central | Requirements Management | Handle requirements throughout all phases |
What Happens in Each TOGAF ADM Phase?
Each of the TOGAF ADM phases serves a specific purpose in the architecture development journey. The phases work together to take organizations from initial concept to successful implementation and ongoing management. Let me walk you through what happens at every stage.
What Is the Preliminary Phase?
The Preliminary Phase prepares your organization for architecture work. It answers the question: how will we do architecture here? During this phase, teams define architecture principles, establish governance structures, and tailor the TOGAF framework to organizational needs.
Key activities include identifying stakeholders who will be impacted, establishing the architecture team, and integrating TOGAF with any existing frameworks. The main output is a Request for Architecture Work that formally starts the project. Without this foundation, subsequent phases lack direction.
What Is Phase A Architecture Vision?
Phase A creates the high-level vision for your architecture project. This is where you define the scope, identify stakeholders, understand business goals, and get approval to proceed.
The phase produces a Statement of Architecture Work that outlines what will be delivered, timelines, and resources needed. Architects also assess business capabilities and identify any risks that could impact the project. Without this vision, teams risk building solutions that miss the mark entirely.
What Is Phase B Business Architecture?
Phase B develops the Target Business Architecture. It examines how the organization operates—its processes, functions, roles, and organizational structure. This phase creates a detailed view of how the business should work to achieve its strategic goals.
Architects perform gap analysis to identify differences between current and future states. They also begin identifying candidate components for the Architecture Roadmap. This phase ensures that all technical decisions support actual business needs. It is one of the most important TOGAF ADM phases because it anchors technology to strategy and prevents costly misalignments.
What Is Phase C Information Systems Architecture?
Phase C focuses on two areas: Data Architecture and Application Architecture. Data Architecture defines how information will be stored, managed, and accessed across the organization. It establishes data standards, governance policies, and integration patterns.
Application Architecture describes the software systems needed to support business functions. It maps applications to business capabilities and identifies opportunities for consolidation or modernization. Together, these create a blueprint for how information flows through the enterprise architecture maturity model.
What Is Phase D Technology Architecture?
Phase D defines the technology foundation that supports applications and data. This includes hardware, software platforms, networks, and infrastructure components.
The goal is to create a Technology Architecture that is reliable, scalable, and aligned with business requirements. Architects evaluate current technology capabilities, identify gaps, and design solutions that support long-term growth. By the end of this phase, organizations have a complete picture of their target architecture across all domains.
What are Phase E Opportunities and Solutions?
Phase E identifies how to move from the current state to the target state. It consolidates gaps from earlier TOGAF ADM phases and groups them into work packages. Architects evaluate different approaches and decide whether to build, buy, or reuse solutions.
This phase also defines Transition Architectures—intermediate states that allow gradual implementation rather than risky all-at-once changes. By breaking the transformation into manageable steps, organizations reduce risk and can demonstrate value incrementally.
What Is Phase F Migration Planning?
Phase F creates a detailed Implementation and Migration Plan. It prioritizes projects based on business value, cost, risk, and dependencies. Teams assess resource requirements and establish realistic timelines for each initiative.
The output is an Architecture Roadmap that sequences activities over time. This phase transforms architectural vision into actionable project plans that teams can execute. It connects strategic architecture work to day-to-day project delivery.
What Is Phase G Implementation Governance?
Phase G provides oversight during implementation. Architects ensure that projects follow the defined architecture and that any deviations go through proper approval processes.
This phase bridges the gap between architectural design and actual delivery. It keeps implementation teams aligned with the original vision while allowing flexibility for practical adjustments. Regular architecture reviews help catch issues early before they become costly problems.
What Is Phase H Architecture Change Management?
Phase H manages changes to the architecture after implementation. Enterprise architecture is never truly finished—it must evolve as business needs, technology, and market conditions change.
This phase monitors for triggers that might require a new ADM cycle. These triggers could include new business strategies, technology disruptions, or regulatory changes. It ensures the architecture stays relevant and continues to deliver value over time. Phase H closes the loop and connects back to the beginning of the cycle, making the TOGAF ADM phases truly iterative.
What Is Requirements Management?
Unlike other TOGAF phases that follow a sequence, Requirements Management operates continuously at the center of the ADM cycle. It captures, stores, and feeds requirements into every phase throughout the entire process.
When new requirements emerge or existing ones change, this process generates impact assessments that identify which TOGAF ADM phases need to be revisited. Requirements are never static—they evolve as business conditions shift. This feedback loop keeps the architecture aligned with evolving business needs and prevents costly rework later.
Key Takeaway
The TOGAF ADM phases provide a proven roadmap for developing enterprise architecture that actually delivers value. From establishing foundations in the Preliminary Phase to managing ongoing change in Phase H, each of the TOGAF ADM phases builds on the previous one while remaining flexible enough to adapt to organizational needs. Understanding these Architecture Development Method Phases is essential for anyone working in enterprise architecture. The framework gives you structure without rigidity, guidance without constraints, and a common language that stakeholders across the organization can understand.
If you are serious about mastering TOGAF and advancing your career in enterprise architecture, consider pursuing a TOGAF Certification Training. It will deepen your understanding of the TOGAF ADM phases and equip you with the skills to apply them effectively in real-world projects.
FAQs
How long does it take to complete one ADM cycle?
The duration varies significantly based on scope and organizational complexity. A focused project might be completed in three to six months, while enterprise-wide transformations can take a year or more. The key is matching iteration depth to business needs.
Can TOGAF phases be customized for different organizations?
Absolutely. TOGAF is designed to be tailored. Organizations can adjust the sequence, combine phases, or emphasize certain areas based on their specific context. The framework provides guidelines, not rigid rules.
What is the difference between Phase H and Requirements Management?
Phase H focuses on managing changes to the implemented architecture over time, while Requirements Management handles requirements throughout all phases. Phase H is sequential; Requirements Management is continuous.
Do all phases need to be completed in sequence?
Not necessarily. While the logical flow moves from A through H, organizations can iterate between phases, work on multiple phases simultaneously, or revisit earlier phases as new information emerges.
Which phase is most critical for enterprise architecture success?
Many practitioners consider Phase A the most critical because it establishes the vision and stakeholder alignment. However, success ultimately depends on executing all phases effectively and maintaining strong governance throughout.
