The ADM is supported by a body of guidelines and techniques that explain how to apply it well. Two of the most heavily tested are architecture principles and stakeholder management. Architecture Principles are general rules and guidelines, intended to be enduring and seldom amended, that inform and support the way an organization fulfils its mission. They form the basis for architecture governance and decision-making, providing a stable framework within which more detailed decisions are made.

TOGAF recommends a standard template for each principle with four parts: a Name (memorable and non-technical), a Statement (the rule, communicated unambiguously), a Rationale (the business benefit and reasoning), and Implications (the requirements and consequences of adopting it). Good principles are understandable, robust, complete, consistent and stable. They are usually established in the Preliminary phase and refined in Phase A.

Stakeholder Management is the discipline architects use to win support for their work. Stakeholders are the people who have key roles in, or concerns about, the system; they have differing levels of power and interest, and the architecture must address their concerns to be accepted. The technique involves identifying stakeholders, classifying their positions (for example on a power/interest grid), determining their concerns and the management approach for each group, and tailoring engagement and the views delivered to each group. Stakeholder management begins early — in Phase A — and continues throughout.

Memorize the template: A principle has a Name, Statement, Rationale and Implications. And the power/interest grid classifies stakeholders so you decide whom to manage closely, keep satisfied, keep informed, or simply monitor.

🏷️ Name📣 Statement💬 Rationale⚠️ Implications🤝 Stakeholders

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