In the ever-evolving landscape of enterprise architecture, TOGAF and ArchiMate certifications stand as critical foundations for architecture knowledge. These certifications bring into play a comprehensive set of tools: frameworks, methods, metamodels, visuals/artifacts, techniques, deliverables, roles, skills, tools, patterns, and reference models/architectures. While Level 1 Foundation certifications provide a solid starting point, achieving Level 2 Practitioner Certifications in both TOGAF and ArchiMate is paramount for professionals seeking to elevate their expertise.
The Certification Journey
The certification process is designed to instill contextual and conceptual model awareness, enabling architects to consider and select building blocks as a plan for movement. This journey takes practitioners from implementation to the desired valued outcome for stakeholders. For optimal results, a 7-day private onsite training that merges TOGAF and ArchiMate at each level is highly recommended.
Beyond Book Knowledge
While Level 2 certifications are crucial for recognition and confidence in knowledge, they represent only the beginning of an architect’s journey. To bridge the gap between theory and practice, EA Principals now offers extensive practice materials:
- 200 practice questions for TOGAF Level 1
- 40 Level 2 scenarios
- Each bundle priced at $50
- ArchiMate practice materials coming in the Fall
These resources aim to satisfy the growing demand for more practice questions, particularly scenario-type questions for Level 2.
Making the Leap
Certification is akin to reaching the edge of a 10-meter diving platform. The real challenge lies in making the leap successfully. To address this, EA Principals provides a valuable service:
- Free 2-week assessment of current architecture approach
- Tailored practical recommendations for the near term
- Follow-on road mapping support for 6 months at $50K
This support helps “graduates” of TOGAF and ArchiMate to apply their knowledge effectively in real-world scenarios.
The Game-Changer
Architecture certification has the potential to be a game-changer, not only for individual architects’ careers but also for better-informed modernization activities across enterprises. By engaging with expert architecture coaches, certified professionals can move from theoretical knowledge to practical application, tailoring certification-purposed information to actual architecture building blocks in their specific context.
In conclusion, while certification provides a strong foundation, the potential true value lies in going beyond certification. By combining robust theoretical knowledge with practical application and expert guidance, architects can navigate the complexities of enterprise architecture with increasing agility and performance over time.
Authored by Dr. Steve Else, Chief Architect & Principal Instructor