What are the four dimensions used to scope an architecture?

The TOGAF® Standard defines four key dimensions to establish the boundaries and scope of an architecture engagement. These dimensions ensure a clear understanding of the effort's focus and limitations.

1. Breadth: The extent of the enterprise covered, from the entire enterprise to specific Lines of Business or cross-functional units.

2. Depth: The level of detail to be captured in the architecture, ranging from high-level conceptual models to detailed specifications.

3. Time Period: The timeframe the architecture will address, typically including baseline, transition, and target states.

4. Architecture Domains: The specific domains to be included, selected from Business, Data, Application, and Technology.

A. Business Data Application Technology

These are the four architecture domains themselves, which constitute only one of the four dimensions used for scoping, not the complete set of dimensions.

B. Strategy Segment Capability Budget

These are important business context and constraint elements that influence the architecture's focus, but they are not the formal dimensions defined by TOGAF for scoping the work.

D. Strategy Portfolio Project Solution Delivery

These terms describe different levels or types of architectural activity within an organization, not the specific dimensions used to scope a single architecture engagement.

1. The Open Group. (2022). The TOGAF® Standard

10th Edition. Van Haren Publishing. Part III: ADM Guidelines & Techniques

Chapter 6

Section 6.3

"Scoping the Architecture". This section explicitly states

"The scope of the architecture is defined by its breadth

depth

and the time period it will cover. The scope is also dependent on which of the Architecture Domains are being covered."

2. The Open Group. (2022). The TOGAF® Standard

10th Edition. Van Haren Publishing. Part II: Architecture Development Method (ADM)

Chapter 5

Section 5.4.6

"Phase A: Architecture Vision - Steps". Step 5 involves confirming and elaborating the architecture scope

which is defined by these four dimensions.