THE-OPEN-GROUP-OG0-092 practice question 6 of 15

Scenario: Please read this scenario prior to answering the Question Your role is that of Lead Enterprise Architect within a vacation property…

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Domain The Architecture Development Method (ADM)

Scenario: Please read this scenario prior to answering the Question Your role is that of Lead Enterprise Architect within a vacation property management firm that has been growing through acquisition. The firm manages over 200 resort properties across North Americ a. Many of the resort properties use the same internal IT systems that they used before they were acquired. Until recently, the only requirement that has been placed on each property is that they use a standard financial reporting system to report their financial results to the headquarters on a weekly basis. The CEO has stated his concerns about the inefficiencies of the current approach and identified the need to change. He has defined a new strategic vision that will enhance the business by standardizing its operations across the network to provide consolidated financial, human resources, logistics, sales and marketing, and yield management. He has also stated that he expects results by the end of the current fiscal year. These changes will provide the company with improved utilization of its capacity and more efficient operations. The addition of a corporate-wide data warehouse will provide analytics that will enable the marketing group to improve its ability to target advertising into key markets to improve yields. The firm has a mature enterprise architecture practice and uses TOGAF 9 as the method and guiding framework. The CIO is the sponsor of the activity. In planning this change, the Chief Architect engaged the services of a well-known consulting firm that specializes in business strategy. An initial study has been conducted to identify the strategic changes needed to implement the CEO's vision. This recently completed with approval of a strategic architecture encompassing the entire firm, including detailed requirements and recommendations. Based on the recommendations from the initial study, the firm has taken the decision to adopt a packaged suite of integrated applications that is tailored to the needs of the hospitality industry. Refer to the scenario You have been asked by the Chief Architect to justify the best approach for architecture development to realize the CEO's vision. Based on TOGAF 9, which of the following is the best answer?
Answer options
A: You recommend that the target architecture is defined first, followed by transition planning. This is because the vision is well understood and the strategic architecture agreed. This will ensure that the current problems and inefficiencies of the baseline architecture are not carried forward, and that the proposed solution addresses the requirements identified in the initial study. Correct answer
B: You recommend that the team focus on architecture definition, with a specific emphasis on understanding the strategic change parameters of the business strategy. Once understood, the team will be in the best position to identify the requirements, drivers, issues, and constraints for this engagement. You would ensure that the target architecture addresses non-functional requirements so as to ensure the target architecture is robust and secure.
C: You recommend that the team focus on defining the target architecture by going through the architecture definition phases (B-D). This is because the initial study identified the need to change. This will ensure that the change can be defined in a structured manner and address the requirements needed to realize the vision.
D: You recommend that this engagement define the baseline Technology Architecture first in order to assess the current infrastructure capacity and capability. Then the focus should be on transition planning and architecture deployment. This will identify retirements to ensure that the projects are sequenced in an optimal fashion so as to realize the vision.
Correct Answer:
A. You recommend that the target architecture is defined first, followed by transition planning. This is because the vision is well understood and the strategic architecture agreed. This will ensure that the current problems and inefficiencies of the baseline architecture are not carried forward, and that the proposed solution addresses the requirements identified in the initial study.
Explanation

The scenario indicates that the preliminary strategic work, equivalent to TOGAF ADM Phase A (Architecture Vision), is already complete. A strategic architecture with detailed requirements has been approved, the CEO's vision is well-understood, and a solution type (packaged suite) has been chosen. This implies a revolutionary change, replacing the fragmented legacy systems. In such cases, the most effective approach is to focus on defining the target architectures (Phases B, C, D) that realize the strategic vision. This "target-first" emphasis ensures the new architecture directly addresses the business goals and avoids carrying forward the known inefficiencies of the baseline. Following the target definition, the next logical step is Transition Planning (Phase E).

Why Incorrect

B. This option is incorrect because it proposes re-doing the strategic analysis and requirements gathering, which the scenario explicitly states have already been completed and approved.
C. While correctly identifying the need to go through the architecture definition phases (B-D), its justification is too generic and less compelling than option A's context-specific rationale.
D. This option is incorrect because it starts with the Technology Architecture (Phase D) rather than the Business Architecture (Phase B) and improperly skips defining the target architectures.

References

1. The Open Group Standard

TOGAF® Version 9.2

Part II: Architecture Development Method

Chapter 6

Phase A: Architecture Vision. The scenario describes the completion of activities central to Phase A

such as defining scope

identifying stakeholders

and securing approval for a vision and requirements. The "approved strategic architecture" is a key output

setting the stage for subsequent phases.

2. The Open Group Standard

TOGAF® Version 9.2

Part II: Architecture Development Method

Chapter 7

Phase B: Business Architecture

Section 7.4 Approach. This section states

"It is good practice to understand the baseline architecture... However

it is important to document the baseline architecture to the level of detail necessary to support the target...". This supports a target-focused approach where the baseline is not the primary driver

which is appropriate for the revolutionary change described.

3. The Open Group Standard

TOGAF® Version 9.2

Part III: ADM Guidelines and Techniques

Chapter 19

Applying Iteration to the ADM. This chapter emphasizes that the ADM is flexible. The scenario warrants an iteration that prioritizes the development of the target architecture to meet a clear

top-down strategic mandate

rather than a lengthy baseline-first analysis.

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