The core of the TOGAF architecture is the ADM. It provides a set of tested and repeatable processes for developing enterprise architectures.

The following are the key activities that are captured in the ADM:

• Establish a framework for architecture
• Develop content for architecture
• Provide guidance for realization of architectures

All the ADM activities follow an iterative cycle, which includes both architecture definition and realization. This helps the organizations to transform their architectures in a step-wise manner that is aligned with their business goals and opportunities. The phases of an ADM are shown in the following diagram:

Activities that happen in each phase within the ADM are explained as follows:

• Preliminary phase: The main initiation activities that are required for architecture capability building are done. Some examples of activities that are done in this phase are customization of TOGAF, the definition of principles to be used for architecture design, and so on.
• Phase A - Architecture vision: In this initial phase, the key actors are involved in the definition of scope. Some other activities are stakeholder identification, getting all necessary approvals for architecture design and development, and so on.
• Phase B - Business architecture: In this phase, an agreement is made to develop a business architecture that is aligned with the architecture vision of the organization.
• Phase C - Information systems architecture: In this phase, an agreement is made to develop an information system architecture that is aligned with the architecture vision of the organization.
• Phase D - Technology architecture: It mainly deals with developing a technology blueprint that is aligned with the architecture vision of the organization.
• Phase E - Opportunities and solutions: It deals with doing the initial implementation planning and identification of different formats of architecture delivery.
• Phase F - Migration planning: It mainly deals with the steps involved in moving from a baseline to final target architectures. The various steps involved in migration are generally captured in an implementation and migration plan.
• Phase G - Implementation governance: It provides an overview of the implementation.
• Phase H - Architecture change management: It deals with carving out a change management plan to handle changes that come up in the architecture.
• Requirements management: It deals with managing the architecture requirements that evolve throughout the various phases of ADM.