TOGAF Documentation Template

My checklist for enterprise architecture documentation

This is a TOGAF-aligned documentation template I use for enterprise architecture projects. It's not a tutorial—it's a structured outline of every document you should produce during a typical TOGAF ADM (Architecture Development Method) engagement.

What This Is

A comprehensive checklist covering:

• Preliminary Phase - Framework setup, governance charter, architecture principles
• Phase A: Architecture Vision - BRD, stakeholder analysis, architecture vision document
• Phase B: Business Architecture - Capability models, value streams, gap analysis
• Phase C: Information Systems - Data architecture, application architecture, SOA design
• Phase D: Technology Architecture - Infrastructure, networking, IaC, configuration management
• Phases E-H - Opportunities/solutions, migration planning, implementation governance, architecture change management

Each phase lists the documents you should create (e.g., "Business Requirements Document", "Data Governance Plan", "Application Inventory") with brief descriptions.

Why I Made This

After my second EA project, I realized I kept forgetting which documents TOGAF expects at each phase. "Wait, does the BRD go in Phase A or Phase B?" "Where do I document data governance—Phase C or Preliminary?"

This template is my answer. It's the full TOGAF ADM document list in one file. I print it out at the start of every project and check off documents as I create them.

How I Use It

1. Project kickoff - Review the template with stakeholders to agree on which documents are needed (not every project needs all 95 documents)
2. Phase planning - Before starting each ADM phase, check which deliverables are required
3. Documentation tracking - Use it as a checklist to ensure nothing is missed
4. Handoff - At project end, verify all agreed documents are completed

Most EA projects use 40-50% of the documents listed here. The template covers 95% of scenarios, but you'll always need to tailor it.

What This Isn't

Not a how-to guide: This tells you what documents to create, not how to create them. For that, read the TOGAF 9.2 specification or take a TOGAF training course.

Not prescriptive: Some projects don't need a full TOGAF ADM. Use what makes sense. Smaller projects might skip Phase B entirely.

Not the only way: TOGAF is one EA framework. Zachman, FEAF, and others exist. This template is TOGAF-specific.

Real-World Use

I've used this on:

• 2 full TOGAF engagements (financial services, healthcare)
• 4 partial implementations (used Phases A-C only)
• Multiple architecture assessments

The most-used sections:

• Phase A (Architecture Vision) - every project needs this
• Phase C (Data Architecture) - data governance is always critical
• Phase D (Technology Architecture) - infrastructure documentation

The least-used sections:

• Phase G (Implementation Governance) - often handled by PMO, not architects
• Phase H (Architecture Change Management) - rarely formalized in my projects

Contributing

If you spot missing documents or have suggestions, open an issue or PR. Just know I'm optimizing for "90% coverage" not "exhaustive TOGAF compliance."

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Last updated: 2024
Status: Active reference
Best for: Enterprise architecture projects following TOGAF ADM, compliance-heavy environments