TOGAF is an abbreviation for “The Open Group Architecture Framework.” It is a framework with defined standards for designing, planning, implementing and monitoring enterprise architecture. A TOGAF certification covers four domains: business, technology, data and application architecture.
Students who obtain TOGAF certifications demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and ability to use TOGAF concepts in applying IT solutions to meet business goals, enhancing response to business changes, improving architectural efficiency, improving cost-effectiveness and so on.
TOGAF improves the alignment between technological solutions and business objectives. It also enhances decision-making, improves collaboration and facilitates efficient resolution. This article discusses the domains, costs, learning paths, preparation and value of a TOGAF certification.
Meaning: What Is TOGAF?
TOGAF stands for “The Open Group Architecture Framework.” It is a blueprint guiding the design, implementation and governance of enterprise IT architecture. Think of TOGAF as a set of standards that prepares enterprise architecture for improved risk management, better efficiency and improved alignment with business needs.
With a TOGAF certification, individuals can prove to potential or current employers that they have a thorough understanding of the TOGAF methodology and can design, implement and monitor IT architecture at an enterprise level.
The Four Domains of TOGAF
TOGAF covers four primary areas or domains: business architecture, data architecture, application architecture and technology architecture.
- Business architecture: This domain focuses on key performance measurements, business strategy, organizational structure, operating procedures and so on.
- Data architecture: Data architecture encompasses data governance and structure. It involves data tools, data security, data quality, data integration, privacy and so on.
- Application architecture: The application architecture domain covers application quality, application integration, application security and so on. It involves designing and managing applications to meet business needs.
- Technology architecture: This domain focuses on the underlying infrastructure — the technological systems of the organization. It includes hardware, software and everything in between.
What Is TOGAF Certification?
A TOGAF certification is an endorsement of your knowledge, understanding and ability to apply the principles of the TOGAF framework.
TOGAF certifications require no previous certification or credentials, and all are based on TOGAF 9.2 Standard, TOGAF Standard and TOGAF Standard 10th Edition. The TOGAF Standard 10th Edition does not come with a commensurate certification because its scope is broad and a corresponding certification may be shallow.
TOGAF Certification Training and Learning Paths
There are five TOGAF certification paths, namely, TOGAF 9 Foundation, TOGAF 9 Certified, TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Foundation, TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Practitioner and TOGAF Business Architecture Foundation.
- TOGAF 9 Foundation: The TOGAF 9 Foundation certification validates understanding of the basic concepts, structure, terms and core principles of the TOGAF framework, including the architecture development method (ADM) and architecture governance.
- TOGAF 9 Certified: TOGAF 9 Certified demonstrates the ability to apply and analyze knowledge of the basic concepts, structure, terms and core principles of TOGAF.
- TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Foundation: This certification validates the basic knowledge of enterprise architecture based on TOGAF principles.
- TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Practitioner: This certification demonstrates your ability to apply and analyze TOGAF concepts in the development and management of enterprise architecture.
- TOGAF Business Architecture Foundation: This certifies that you have foundational knowledge and understanding of TOGAF Business Architecture concepts.
Why Get TOGAF Certification Online?
You should get a TOGAF certification online if you want flexibility and minimal costs. With the online option, you wouldn’t have to worry about commuting, and you may even get a discount on training fees. In addition, you’ll always have access to the study material anywhere with an internet connection, and you can learn at your own pace.
You can take an online TOGAF certification course through accredited providers, and some even offer both virtual and in-person training.
How to Prepare for TOGAF Certification
Preparing to take a TOGAF certification exam mostly involves studying or taking training courses, understanding the syllabus and exam, and having a structured study plan. Below is a description of a learning path to take in preparation for a TOGAF certification:
- Choose a TOGAF certification: The TOGAF certification portfolio has five certification paths, none of which require a previous certification for eligibility. You could choose to pursue any of them based on your needs.
- Define your study plan: Sign up for a training course with an accredited training provider. You can also work with the TOGAF self-study material provided on the Open Group website or join a study group either in person or online.
- Understand the exam pattern: Some parts of TOGAF exams are multiple choice, while others are scenario-based. Confirm the minimum passing score and scoring system.
- Review the syllabus: Review the TOGAF certification documentation and syllabus for insight into key concepts of the TOGAF framework.
- Choose a deadline: Set a study deadline and choose an examination date. Without one, you may end up procrastinating.
- Do a study review: In the last one to two weeks before the exam, review everything you’ve studied in the preceding weeks using learning tools like flashcards.
TOGAF Certification Exam
Here’s a description of the structure of TOGAF certification exams:
- TOGAF 9 Foundation/Part 1 Exam: This is a multiple-choice exam with 40 questions to answer in 60 minutes. A passing score is 55%.
- TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Foundation/Part 1 Exam: The TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Foundation is equivalent to the TOGAF Enterprise Part 1 exam. It uses a multiple-choice format, with 40 questions to answer in 60 minutes. A passing score is 60%.
- TOGAF 9 Certified and TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Practitioner: These involve two exams. The Part 1 exam is described above. The Part 2 exam is scenario-based, with eight questions to answer in 90 minutes. A passing score is 60%. Correct answers score five points, the next best scores three points, and the third best scores one point.
- TOGAF Business Architecture Part 1: The Business Architecture Part 1 exam contains 30 multiple-choice questions to answer in 45 minutes, and a passing score is 60%.
- TOGAF Business Architecture Foundation Exam: The Business Architecture Foundation Exam is 40 multiple-choice questions to answer in 60 minutes, and a passing score is 60%.
TOGAF Certification Costs & Exam Price
TOGAF certification exams range from $230 to $625, depending on the certification and payment mode. However, in most parts of the world, the minimum cost is $360. Paying through Pearson VUE is generally $30 cheaper than paying through The Open Group Shop.
Aside from the exam, you may have to pay for the Business Architecture Level 1 Study Guide ($34.99) and the TOGAF 9 Certification Self-Study Pack ($69.90). Enrolling in a training course would entail an additional cost as well.
TOGAF Exam Costs
| Certification | Price |
|---|---|
| TOGAF 9 Part 1 | $360 ($390 in The Open Group Shop) |
| TOGAF 9 Part 2 | $360 ($390 in The Open Group Shop) |
| TOGAF 9 Bundle | $550 ($580 in The Open Group Shop) |
| TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Part 1 | $395 ($425 in The Open Group Shop) |
| TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Part 2 | $395 ($425 in The Open Group Shop) |
| TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Bundle | $595 ($625 in The Open Group Shop) |
| TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Bridge | $395 |
| TOGAF Business Architecture Foundation | $395 ($425 in The Open Group Shop) |
| TOGAF Business Architecture Part 1 | $315 ($345 in The Open Group Shop) |
Table Caption: The Brazilian Portuguese versions of TOGAF 9 Part 1 and Part 2 are available in Brazil for $230 through Pearson VUE. Residents of South Africa pay $250 for Business Architecture Foundation, Enterprise Architecture Bridge and Enterprise Architecture Part 1 and Part 2.
The cheapest TOGAF exams are the TOGAF 9 Part 1 and Part 2 exams, which cost $360 each ($390 when paying through The Open Group Shop). When combined in the 9 Bundle, it comes discounted for a fee of $550 ($580 via The Open Group Shop). A notable exception is the Brazilian Portuguese version, which costs only $230 per exam.
TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Part 1, TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Part 2 and TOGAF Business Architecture Foundation all cost $395 through Pearson VUE and $425 via The Open Group Shop. TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Bridge is $395, notwithstanding the payment method.
You can get TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Part 1 and Part 2 for $395 each ($425 through The Open Group Shop). When combined in the Bundle, you can get it for a discounted $595 ($625 via = The Open Group Shop). Meanwhile, TOGAF Business Architecture Part 1 goes for $315 ($345 on the Open Group Shop).
Job Positions That Use TOGAF: Salary & Duties
Various technical architecture job positions use TOGAF, including software architect, solutions architect, business intelligence architect, systems architect and so on. The following highlights the average TOGAF certification salary for select job positions.
TOGAF Certification: What the Reddit Community Says
There have been multiple conversations about TOGAF certification on Reddit. We’ve collected some vital opinions and shared them below.
It is not uncommon for clients to ask for TOGAF certification at an organizational level. However, individuals do not receive many such requests:
“I’d say TOGAF is needed to get the work, clients ask for it and every solution/enterprise architect at my company above junior level has it.” 1
In addition to the self-study materials, you can study with free, publicly available resources such as YouTube videos. You may struggle with applying TOGAF at first, but you’ll get better with time:
“The book is a hard read. I learned a lot off of the open groups you tube videos and practical examples. I also did a lot of reading of people who interpreted and applied it. It took trial and error over my career to be Fluent in it as it takes some mental rewiring from an IT mindset and a desire to see the big picture.”2
There are no surprises in the TOGAF certification exam; the syllabus tells you what to expect:
“One good thing about the TOGAF certified exam is that each scenario during the exam was from the defined syllabus topic areas.” 3
Final Thoughts
TOGAF certifications are a marker of proficiency in the knowledge and application of the core concepts of TOGAF architecture. They are ideal for professional development if you’re an experienced IT professional, and they may also improve your earning potential.
Have you sat for a TOGAF certification? Do you think it was worth it? How has your TOGAF learning experience improved your skills? Leave a comment below to share your thoughts with us. Thank you for reading.
FAQ: TOGAF Training and Certification
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TOGAF certification is a validation of TOGAF knowledge and expertise. In other words, it is proof of your ability to set up effective architecture, improve business agility, reduce costs and align technical needs with business needs.
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The skills that come with TOGAF are beneficial, as they improve problem-solving and decision-making, particularly for experienced IT professionals. In addition, having the certificate is proof of expertise, but only a few companies ask to see the certification during their hiring process.
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The difficulty of earning a TOGAF certification is subjective, but if you are great at situational judgment and abstract reasoning, passing an exam should be easy.
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TOGAF 9 does not require renewal, but TOGAF 7 and 8 have a 24-month validity period.
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Sources:
- Honest question. Is TOGAF Worth it? – Reddit
- Is anyone actually finding TOGAF useful, or even usable? – Reddit
- TOGAF 9 Part 1 and Part 2 Exam Experience – Reddit
The post What Is TOGAF Certification: Cost, Exam and Salary Guide in 2024 appeared first on Cloudwards.
