Introduction
As enterprises undergo digital transformation at increasing speeds, Enterprise Architecture (EA) practices must evolve beyond structural rigor to embrace semantic depth, ethical alignment, and role-based maturity. By integrating the TOGAF Architecture Development Method (ADM) with SFIA (Skills Framework for the Information Age) and the emergent PhilOps paradigm (Philosophical Operations), a more reflexive, value-centered architecture practice becomes possible—one where architects are not just system designers but also ethical stewards and strategic enablers.
Why Evolve the ADM?
While TOGAF’s ADM provides a foundational lifecycle for enterprise architecture, it traditionally emphasizes process over purpose, and outputs over meaning. In contrast:
- PhilOps brings philosophical intent into the modeling process—ensuring that enterprise systems are not only efficient but justifiable and ethically aware.
- SFIA aligns the skills, responsibilities, and maturity paths of roles across the architecture and engineering spectrum.
Combined, these frameworks enable a modernized ADM that embeds purpose, tracks ethical impact, and supports professional development across the architecture lifecycle.
Pillars of a Modernized ADM
- Purpose Traceability
Embed teleological (purpose-driven) logic into every phase of architecture work—connecting strategy to execution with intent. - Semantic Modeling
Use ontologies and meaning-rich modeling techniques to improve clarity across business, application, data, and technology teams. - Reflexivity
Design architectures that adapt and “self-reflect”—enabling feedback-aware systems that learn and evolve. - Role Maturation (SFIA)
Cultivate maturity across roles with SFIA-aligned skillsets, reinforcing each layer of architecture with role-specific fluency. - Agentic Governance
Enable AI-human collaboration through governance models that treat systems as ethical agents and co-decision makers.
Architectural Role Maturation: SFIA Meets PhilOps
| Role | Early SFIA Focus | Mid-Level SFIA | Advanced SFIA |
| Enterprise Architect | STPL, GOVN | OCDV, BENM | EMRG, COPL |
| Software Engineer | DEVL, TEST | RFEN, DBDS | AURE, RLMT |
| Solution Architect | INAS, ARCH | SINT, DESN | METL, INOV |
These trajectories illustrate how skills progress from operational alignment to strategic and ethical influence, moving from delivery to co-governance of systems and outcomes.
Reframing the TOGAF ADM Phases
A role-aware, purpose-guided update to TOGAF ADM could look like this:
| Preliminary | Purpose Modeling & Ontology Anchoring |
| A – Vision | Stakeholder Goal Traceability |
| B – Business Arch | Ethical Outcomes & Value Streams |
| C – Info Systems | Semantic Models & Design Patterns |
| D – Tech Arch | Agentic Infrastructure Readiness |
| E – Opp & Solns | Reflexive Capability Planning |
| F – Migration | Adaptive Roadmaps with Purpose Metrics |
| G – Gov | Live Governance with AI Co-auditors |
| H – Change Mgmt | Continuous Purpose Realignment |
ADM Responsibilities by Role
| Role | Key Responsibilities |
| Enterprise Architect | Anchor Phases A–C; design purpose scaffolding and capability maps |
| Solution/App Architect | Lead Phases C–E; translate purpose into logical/physical systems; design ethical interactions |
| Technical Architect | Implement D–G; operationalize infrastructure; integrate agentic and observability layers |
Why This Matters
Adopting a modernized ADM aligned with SFIA and PhilOps equips organizations to:
- Trace strategy to intent with clear ethical guardrails
- Align roles and roadmaps to skill frameworks and career paths
- Implement AI-ready, purpose-aware systems
- Model, measure, and mature architecture contributions across people, process, and platform dimensions
Conclusion
The future of architecture isn’t just digital—it’s intentional, ethical, and human-centric. By modernizing the TOGAF ADM through the lenses of PhilOps and SFIA, EA practices can rise to meet this challenge with frameworks that align not only systems, but also people and purpose.
Authored by Dr. Steve Else, Chief Architect & Principal Instructor