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TOGAF Poster Series #49

The Enterprise Continuum
by Roger Evernden

The Enterprise Continuum is usually seen as a bit esoteric or theoretical.

In practice it can be a highly practical tool that saves a lot of time & effort.
Our poster explains the value and use of the Enterprise Continuum.

KEY POINTS
Usually a continuum is a sequence
running between two distinct
extremes, with subtle variations
between elements in between.

The Enterprise Continuum

has two objectives:

In TOGAF the Enterprise Continuum

runs between the extremes: from
Generic to Specific.

To align solutions with architectures

To save time & effort through reuse

But in TOGAF there are also four

distinct steps!

GENERIC

Architecture
Continuum

the TRM (Foundation)

the III-RM (Common Systems)
But there are plenty of other
Reference Architectures, e.g.
Microsoft Industry Reference
Architecture for Banking (MIRA-B)

SPECIFIC

Generalization for re-use

Context and
Requirements

TOGAF only provides two

pre-defined reference models:

Adaptation for specific use

15%

15%

45%

25%

Foundation
Architectures

Common Systems
Architectures

Industry
Architectures

OrganizationSpecific
Architectures

Foundation
Solutions

Common
Systems
Solutions

Industry
Solutions

OrganizationSpecific
Solutions

Guides and
Supports

Solutions
Continuum

Deployed
Solutions

Guidelines
The Architecture
Continuum should nearly
always be considered
before the Solutions
Continuum.

Where possible,
Solutions should
conform to the
architecture.

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Look for pre-defined

reference models
that you can re-use
wherever they are
relevant.

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A percentage of any organization-specific

architecture should come from higher up
the continuum. The higher the percentage,
the more you can reuse previously defined
building blocks. (Percentages we have shown
here are a guideline you need to define the
optimum balance for your enterprise).

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Good e-Learning 2015. ArchiMate, The Open Group and TOGAF are registered trademarks of the Open Group in the United States and other countries
Source: The eight fundamental factors in EA Information First, Roger & Elaine Evernden, Butterworth Heinemann, 2003