ArchiMate is an international, vendor-independent standard frameworks introduced by The Open Group. Its well-founded concepts and models provide precision. ArchiMate helps you get away from the 'fuzzy pictures' image of architecture. It is a lean and simple language. It contains just enough concepts for modeling enterprise architecture and is not bloated to include everything possible. Its uniform structure makes it easy to learn and apply. Here is the benefit for adopting ArchiMate for your enterprise architecture development projects:

• Compatibility with Other Open Standards - It has clear links to existing approaches for specific architecture areas such as software or business processes. Several concepts in ArchiMate have deliberately been borrowed from other languages such as UML or BPMN, to provide an easy bridge.
• Supported by TOGAF ADM Method - It does not prescribe a way of working, but it is easily combined with existing methods such as TOGAF.
• Widely-used with Tool Supports - It has been tried and tested by many different user organizations and is supported by consultancies and software tools.

Modeling EA - Hand-drawn, drawing tool or Modeling Tool?

Actually not very long ago, modeling EA was symbolized by three things: a pencil, a sheet of paper and a notations. However time marches on and technology evolves. Everything seems to be moving towards going digital. But are you ready to make the jump?

Drawing Tool

Drawing tool offers speed and momentum to their software modeling work. Used efficiently, digital saves you a ton of time such as nice printing, easier for undo and redo, copy and paste, using shape palette or diagram templates, and etc.

Modeling Tool

Many people assume that drawing tools and modeling tools are two interchangeable concepts but this is far from true. Actually a modeling tool should offer a lot more capabilities additional to a drawing tool through they might seem not so obvious for most of the people.

A drawing tool can't be considered as a modeling tool, unless the tool can "understands" the notation of the diagram, i.e. the connection rules between shapes or model elements. The following points list these additional capabilities of a modeling tool over a drawing tool.

⁺ Not all modeling tools support this features (while Visual Paradigm supports all the above)

Need TOGAF ADM Support with ArchiMate?

ArchiMate is a good visual language for modeling EA, but it is not a method which provides steps, techniques for guiding you through the entire EA development process. Although ArchiMate can integrate with TOGAF ADM seamlessly and intrinsically by design, to start an EA project only with pencil and papers would be just like we are doing things in the Stone Age without proper tools.

Even though businesses are aware of the advantages of an EA practice, it has never been an easy task to build an Enterprise Architecture. A problem many organizations face is inability to identify the place to start, and how to get started. The immaturity of Enterprise Architecture results in gaps and hurdles in the early stages that can stop businesses progressing further with the scheme. In 2007, Gartner found that 40% of Enterprise Architecture initiatives would be stopped and a later survey in 2015 indicates that 70% of businesses were looking to either start, or restart an Enterprise Architecture program.

Tooling

If you Google around for Enterprise Architecture tooling you will probably uncovered two alternatives: Established EA tools with very high price tag, yet they only provide a tree-like structure of repository that contains a set of templates you to edit yourselves. The second alternative would be some drawing tools, such as Visio that requires excessive management and juggling of information between multiple applications.

Visual Paradigm Guide-Through Process Tool

TOGAF ADM is the process to developing an enterprise architecture, while Visual Paradigm features a process navigator that guides you through the execution and completion of TOGAF ADM and fully integrated with ArchiMate 3.1. The figure below shows a screenshot of the TOGAF ADM Guide-Through tool. It shows the steps to perform in the phase B of TOGAF ADM.

Broadly speaking, Visual Paradigm features/facilitates the following:

• An ADM process navigator that guides you through the development of enterprise architecture with TOGAF ADM, activity by activity, step by step
• Guide you through the creation of deliverables and artifacts, with clear instructions
• Generate deliverables upon the completion of a ADM phase
• Automatic archiving of deliverables in an Architecture Repository
• Helps you understand TOGAF by providing you with samples
• Provides the tools and diagrams you need in analysis and documentation, which includes ArchiMate 3.1 diagrams and viewpoints (The Open Group certified), Implementation Plan Diagram, Migration Roadmap, Maturity Analysis, PERT Chart, RACI Chart, Implementation Factor Assessment & Deduction Matrix, Consolidated Gaps, Solutions, & Dependencies Matrix, etc.
• Finally, it is an international award-winning tool with Affordable price with incredible features

Sample Step in Guide-Through Process

Gap Analysis with ArchiMate 3.1 - Look at the bottom right. It's a color legend that enables you to effective apply color code to elements in diagram.

Automatic Deliverable Generation

Sample Screenshot on - Generate TOGAF ADM deliverable once you've completed the activities.

Benefits of Visual Paradigm Guide-through Process Approach

1. Structure TOGAF ADM into phases, activities and steps, and embedded with instructions, samples and input references
2. Progress Indicator that shows you where you are and the status of completion for phases, activities and steps
3. Perform analysis, diagramming and work incrementally and generate deliverable and report automatically
4. Automatically transcribe data from one step to another for further actions or perform different forms of analysis
5. Carry forward of deliverable as input reference from one step to another
6. Assign activity or deliverables as task for different members with time schedule and role to the task manager automatically
7. Seamlessly integrate EA, Project Management process with Agile software development process and toolset

Checklist for Choosing an ArchiMate Tool

To conclude, let's take a look at the items below for what a good ArchiMate tool should support.

• Is it a Certified ArchiMate Tool
• Does it provide the modeling tool capabilities in the table above
• Does it provide ArchiMate Viewpoints for ArchiMate 2 and ArchiMate 3
• Does it fully support TOGAF ADM from Preliminary Phase and A to H phases
• Does it provide electronic architecture cabinet for deliverables and is it configurable
• Can you tailor the process framework to fit your needs
• Does it provide standard TOGAF templates for deliverable development
• Is the process fully automated and easy to use
• Does it support team collaboration
• Does it support automatic deliverables generation
• Does it provide step-by-step embedded instructions, samples and references
• Does it ask for reasonable price
• Does it support both ArchiMate modeling support and TOGAF ADM with ArchiMate integrated process support

Related Links

1. The Open Group Certified ArchiMate Tool
2. Learn more about the enhancements of ArchiMate 3.0