What is TOGAF Certification?

TOGAF® Certification is the assessment that demonstrates how to plan, design, execute, and manage an enterprise architecture.

TOGAF stands for The Open Group Architecture Framework. It is a framework and standard for developing architectures for large organizations.

It divides enterprise architecture into:

• Business architecture. It establishes the strategy and methods for the organization to achieve business goals.
• Application architecture. The techniques for developing applications and how they interact with other applications. 
• Data architecture. How enterprise information is stored, secured, and transported.
• Technical architecture. The infrastructures (hardware and software) that support applications.

TOGAF works on the following five pillars:

• Architecture Development Model (ADM). It describes the full-cycle process for developing enterprise architectures that meet business needs. ADM is TOGAF’s core.

• Enterprise Continuum and Tools. It discusses the tools and taxonomies to categorize and store architecture activity data.
•  Architecture Content Framework. It describes TOGAF’s model for architectural artifacts, reusable architecture building blocks, and architecture deliverables.
•  Architecture Capability Framework. It discusses the processes, roles, skills, and organization needed to establish and operate an architecture within an enterprise.
• Reference Models (removed from TOGAF 9.2).

TOGAF® Certification is advantageous if you work in an architecture or information technology company. 

By obtaining the TOGAF® Certification, you bespeak your knowledge of enterprise architecture. It is adaptable, robust, and offers a high return on investment.

And if you run a business, you can make a massive difference by learning about your IT infrastructure. TOGAF helps companies to become more aware of their IT architecture. 

This article will look into TOGAF® Certification and how to get it in 2022.

Who developed TOGAF?

The Open Group developed TOGAF in 1995 based on Capgemini’s Integrated Architecture Framework (IAF) and the US Department of Defense’s TAFIM (Technical Architecture Framework for Information Management).

The group maintains the TOGAF standard and releases new versions. We’re now (2022) at TOGAF 9.2 

What is the difference between COBIT and TOGAF?

TOGAF is primarily concerned with developing an information technology architecture aligned with the business goals. On the other hand, COBIT ensures that the system is secure. Both are complementary frameworks. 

Let’s understand what COBIT is and its functions in an organization.

COBIT is an acronym that stands for Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology. It is a governing framework that merges the vital gap between technological obstacles, business risks, and compliance requirements. 

Here are the various tasks that COBIT guides:

• Keeping high-quality facts on hand to back up your business decisions.
• Attaining critical goals through the effective and innovative use of information technology.
• Maximizing operational excellence by utilizing technology in a dependable and effective manner
• Reducing IT-related risk in your organization.
• Reducing the cost of existing IT technologies.
• Implementing necessary laws, rules, contract terms, and guidelines.

What is the difference between ITIL and TOGAF?

While the TOGAF framework focuses on Enterprise Architecture, ITIL focuses on aligning IT services to the business needs.

ITIL is an acronym for Information Technology Infrastructure Library. Its goal is to establish an organization’s baseline for planning, implementing, and measuring IT services. 

Even though ITIL provides all the necessary information for delivering flawless IT services, it does not specify the supported business processes. 

TOGAF provides the information essential for developing excellent IT solutions and monitoring them, but it does not provide guidelines forIT services management.

Both frameworks encompass additional areas like technology architecture, information architecture, and IT solutions. But the amount of depth in each framework varies significantly.

Is TOGAF still relevant in 2022?

As of April 2019, the TOGAF® Certification Program had trained about 88,000 architects from 144 countries.

Additionally, since its launch in 1995, The Open Group claims that over 60% of Fortune 500 companies and 80% of Global 50 companies use TOGAF.

And as we shall see below, government bodies are big on implementing the framework.

What companies use TOGAF?

Litton PRC (US)

Litton PRC used TOGAF as the cornerstone for modernizing their internal Architecture Design Process. Its case study gives an overview of the TOGAF selection and implementation at Litton PRC.

The Police IT Organization (UK)

The Police Information Technology Organization in the UK uses the TOGAF framework to establish the Technical Architecture for the country’s National Strategy for Police Information Systems (NSPIS).

The framework provided the interaction between the building components of the final architecture, as recorded in the NSPIS case study.

The United Kingdom National Health Service

The UK’s National Health Service uses TOGAF to form a standard framework in its IT architecture.

Where in an Organization do you implement TOGAF?

TOGAF implementation process has been improved to offer crucial functions like metamodels and out-of-box templates. 

You can use TOGAF in the following areas:

• Setting up industry standards: The ability to quickly and easily change the metamodel content, object types, and notations to meet your organization’s unique needs.
• Increasing teamwork and reliability: TOGAF keeps models in a central repository to be used, changed, or kept up to date with new version controls.
• Reducing cost and time: Existing enterprise data that has been developed in one environment may be transferred into a repository and used for future architectural development.
• Making informed decisions: using heatmaps and impact analysis tools

TOGAF® certification salary

The average annual income for TOGAF® certified experts is $144,000 (or $95 per hour).

With a TOGAF® Certification, you can work as an Enterprise Architect, Solutions Architect, Technical Architect, Busines Analyst, and more.

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What are the TOGAF eligibility requirements?

The TOGAF Part 1 Exam has no prerequisite. But passing part 1 makes you eligible for TOGAF Part 2 Exam.

There are no prerequisites for doing the TOGAF 9 Combined Part 1 and 2 Exam.

What are the steps to get TOGAF certified?

For you to be TOGAF certified, follow the following steps:

1. Choose whether to take the TOGAF 9 Foundation or TOGAF 9 Certified. 

Foundation is for those with minimal knowledge of TOGAF. You’ll earn the TOGAF 9 Foundation certificate by completing TOGAF 9 Part 1 exam.

TOGAF 9 Certified is suitable for professionals with a deep understanding of the framework. You must pass TOGAF Part 1 and Part 2 to earn this certificate. 

You can also take TOGAF Business Architecture Level 1 and TOGAF Essentials 2018.

2. Choose whether to self-study or attend a training course. For self-study, you’ll rely on TOGAF study materials (mentioned below) then register and complete the exam.

If you choose to attend a training course, select an accredited organization on this list. The charges for training typically include the exam fees.

3. Register and pay for the exam. Self-study professionals register and take the TOGAF exam in a Pearson Vue Center. 
4. Do TOGAF 9 Part 1. At this stage, there are no prerequisites. This test is open to all applicants.
5. Do TOGAF 9 Part 2. You must have passed the TOGAF Part 1.
6. After passing your exam, you’ll receive an email invitation from The Open Group to enter into a trademark license agreement. You should receive it between 2 t 6 business days after the exam.

Can I get the TOGAF® Certification online?

You can take the TOGAF® Certification exam online through OnVUe Online Proctoring by PearsonVue.

TOGAF® Certification levels

TOGAF has two levels, TOGAF Foundation and TOGAF Certified. You have to pass the TOGAF Foundation exam to qualify for the TOGAF Certified level. To be eligible for the Certified level, you must pass both Foundation and Certified exams.

Let’s dive into more details.

Part 1: TOGAF Foundation 

At this level, you get 40 multiple-choice questions that last one hour. 

To pass this test, you need to answer 22 questions correctly (55% pass mark).

The test is a closed book; hence it is not open to referrals.

Part 2: TOGAF Certified

Certified level tests the TOGAF learning outcomes in eight questions (from eight scenarios)

It’s an open book exam allocated 90 minutes with a 60% pass mark. 

What does the TOGAF exam cover?

TOGAF part 1 covers the following areas:

Exam Area	Questions
Basic Concepts	3
Core Concepts	3
Introduction to the ADM	3
ADM Phases	9
The Enterprise Continuum and Tools	4
ADM Guidelines and Techniques	6
Architecture Governance	4
Architecture Views, Viewpoints and Stakeholders	2
Building Blocks	2
ADM Deliverables	2
TOGAF Reference Models	2

Part 2 covers the following areas:

• ADM Phases: Architecture Definition 
• ADM Phases: Project Establishment 
• ADM Phases: Governance 
• ADM Phases: Transition Planning
• Architecture Content Framework
• Adapting the ADM
• Architecture Capability Framework
• TOGAF Reference Models

What happens if I fail the TOGAF exam?

A retake exam is offered after one month if you fail the test. This rule applies to all the TOGAF 9 examinations. The retake results will be void if taken before the time frame.

Is the TOGAF exam difficult?

Even though TOGAF is a bit complex and technical, the trick is to approach it keenly and understand enterprise architecture. 

The second section could be more challenging. As you can see from the topics it covers, you must understand ADM (Architecture Development Model (ADM). 

Check out how Karthick passed his TOGAF certificate.

TOGAF® Certification exam price

Certification examinations are charged following local currency values. It costs roughly $720 for the full TOGAF® Certification in most cases.

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TOGAF® Certification cost in India,

The TOGAF® Certification cost in India is about INR 55,000 without training. If you include training, some organizations charge as low as INR 85,000. 

TOGAF® Certification training

Various companies such Simplilearn, Van Haren Publishing, and Good e-Learning are accredited to train candidates for TOGAF. 

Before taking training, study the cost, content, course length, and eligibility of the credentials provided by each company.

Here’s the complete list of TOGAF accredited training organizations.

What’s the cost of TOGAF training?

The cost of TOGAF training varies according to the organization offering  the course and the applicant country. The fee also varies according on the level at which you are.

Here are a few organizations’ charges:

• Simplilearn: Combined TOGAF 9 Level 1 and 2 – $1,299
• QA: TOGAF 9 Foundation and Certified – ≈$4,100
• Inspired!: Practical TOGAF 9 Course – $2,550

Are there TOGAF self-study materials?

If you have a tight budget but still want to get TOGAF® Certification, here are a few books and videos you can look at:

TOGAF® Certification books

• TOGAF 9 Foundation Study Guide: Preparation for the TOGAF 9 Part 1 
• TOGAF 9 Certified Study Guide: Preparation for the TOGAF 9 Part 2
• TOGAF9 Certification Study Guide
• TOGAF 9.2

TOGAF® Certification Videos

Below are some video links that will kill the boredom and make the course more enjoyable.

• TOGAF 9.1 Training Video | TOGAF 9.1 Tutorial | Edureka
• What is TOGAF? – Good e-Learning (TOGAF® Certification)
• TOGAF® Virtual Certification and Training – YouTube
• Introduction To TOGAF 9.1 Certification Training | Simplilearn

Is it worth getting TOGAF certified?

This certification is worth it for people who have worked with IT architecture before and businesses looking for a different way to implement IT systems. 

TOGAF is the most well-known Enterprise Architecture framework in today’s business world.

What are alternatives to TOGAF?

Alternatives enterprise architectures include:

• Zachman Framework for Enterprise Architectures
• Federal Enterprise Architecture
• Department of Defense Architecture Framework (DoDAF)