This  week I have been on the TOGAF Level 1 and Level 2 training. I have been trying to get on this training for a while as I have never been officially taught Enterprise Architecture design but rather learnt it from experience and from my preparations for my VCDX. Seeing as I am a bit of a certification junkie and I like to use exams to push myself to learn I will be aiming to sit and pass the exams.  So alike to what I have done for many certifications I am listing all the resources I have started to use and will be using in my preparations.

The Exam

I am planning on doing the dual exam covering both part 1 and 2 but you can take them separately as well. The exams and what you need to pass them are as follows:

• TOGAF 9 Part 1 – Pass mark 55% (22 or more points out of a maximum of 40)
  This exam comprises 40 questions in simple multiple choice format, covering the Level 1 learning outcomes (see the Conformance Requirements for detail). Each correct answer scores a single point.
• TOGAF 9 Part 2 – Pass mark 60% (24 or more points out of a maximum of 40)
  This exam comprises 8 complex scenario questions, with gradient scoring. This exam is open book and covers the complete Level 2 learning outcomes. The correct answer scores 5 points, the second best answer 3 points, the third best answer 1 point. The distracter scores zero points.
• TOGAF 9 Combined Part 1 and 2 – This is a combined TOGAF 9 Part 1 and Part 2 examination for candidates who want to achieve Level 2 certification directly in a single examination. It consists of two sections, with pass marks as per the TOGAF 9 Part 1 and 2 examinations described above. Each section must be passed in order to obtain an overall pass mark. If you fail a section then no certification is awarded, however you only need retake the Examination(s) corresponding to the failed section(s).

The Combined Part 1 and Part 2 examination is designed for candidates who want to go to TOGAF 9 Certified without the intermediate step of TOGAF 9 Foundation, and who want to take both papers in one examination session. If you take the exams separately and only pass Part 1 you will be awarded TOGAF 9 Foundation. If you take the Combined Exam, and fail a section, you will need to retake the failed section(s) before certification will be awarded.

Books

The two official study guides can  be bought together as a bundle with additional supporting material here.

Videos

• I’ve always been a big fan of Pluralsight videos especially because you can download them to watch on public transport. This looks to be an introduction despite them saying advanced but never a bad idea to get a solid base of knowledge  https://www.pluralsight.com/courses/togaf-9-1-enterprise-architecture-framework-overview
• This is an extensive list of videos around TOGAF and I have watched a few of them and they look to be really good! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAWWpbaj-7KM0uNkxKAf2t4Kzyqr_pYy
• I have been told this course by Scott Duffy is really good to watch after attending the TOGAF course. It certainly does look good https://www.udemy.com/togaf-enterprise-architect/

Flashcards

During my VCDX preparation I found the benefit of flashcards and utilised quizlet extensively to write down questions I might be asked in the defence. There are three sets of flashcards I have found around TOGAF. They  seem to be for the first test but as I’ve said before it never hurts to have a solid base.

• https://www.brainscape.com/flashcards/togaf-9-exam-1-2897065/packs/4760382
• https://quizlet.com/27680813/togaf-9-foundation-basic-concepts-flash-cards/
• TOGAF Flashcards

EA Tools

• Archimate http://www.opengroup.org/subjectareas/enterprise/archimate
• Comparison of Archimate, BPMN, UML
  • http://eavoices.com/2011/01/27/archimate-bpmn-and-uml-together/
  • http://www.visual-paradigm.com/solution/archimate/?src=google&kw=archimate&mt=b&net=g&plc=&gclid=CJDN4emxvLkCFTLxOgodqTEAqw
  • http://www.signavio.com/news/free-cloud-based-archimate-ea-solution/
• Mega http://www.mega.com/en/solution/enterprise-architecture
• IBM RSA http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/downloads/r/architect/
• Orbus http://www.orbussoftware.com/enterprise-architecture/togaf-9\
• Gartner Magic Quadrant of EA Tools: http://www.mega.com/en/resource/gartner-2017-magic-quadrant-enterprise-architecture-tools
• TOGAF Certified Tools http://www.opengroup.org/certifications/togaf9-program/ts-register
• TOGAF Modeling  http://www.togaf-modeling.org/models/data-architecture-menu.html
• How to conduct Gap Analysis http://professional-businessanalysis.blogspot.ca/2012/03/how-to-perform-gap-analysis-and-create.html
• TOGAF Test Simulator  http://theopenarch.com/81-tests/72-togaf-9-exam-tests.html

Open Group Links

• Open Group http://www.opengroup.org/
• TOGAF Standard http://www.opengroup.org/subjectareas/enterprise/togaf
• The Open Group: TOGAF home page: http://pubs.opengroup.org/architecture/togaf9-doc/arch/
• Registry of TOGAF Certificate Holders http://togaf9-cert.opengroup.org/certified-individuals
• Practice tests Level 1 ($0.99 per):https://www2.opengroup.org/ogsys/catalog/B092
• Practice tests Level 2: http://theopenarch.com/test/?sid=17943
• TOGAF Publications page (very useful): https://www2.opengroup.org/ogsys/jsp/publications/SearchResults.jsp?search=togaf&Search=Search+Publications

Books:

• Scott A. Bernard: EA3 Book: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-introduction-to-enterprise-architecture-scott-a-bernard/1112470668?ean=9781477258002 (a good number of Artifacts and explanation in Appendix F of this book)
• Enterprise Architecture as Strategy (MIT):http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/enterprise-architecture-as-strategy-jeanne-w-ross/1100623506?ean=9781422148174
• Architecture Principles http://www.amazon.com/Architecture-Principles-Cornerstones-Enterprise-Engineering/dp/3642202780
• TOGAF Specs (the 778 page-book) and pocket guide (very useful) for Purchase:http://www.opengroup.org/togaf/

Assorted Links

• Good EA discussion (can ask “what do you do in real life situations”): http://bluelighthouse.org/
• Artifacts: http://www.togaf.info/togaf9/togafSlides9/TOGAF-V9-Sample-Catalogs-Matrics-Diagrams-v2.pdf
• Boundaryless Info Flow Ref. Arch.: https://www2.opengroup.org/ogsys/catalog/W033
• Relational Database Arch.: https://www2.opengroup.org/ogsys/catalog/C112
• SOA (multiple documents): https://www2.opengroup.org/ogsys/jsp/publications/PublicationsBySubjectType.jsp?limit=mainSubjectId-45:secSubjectId-45:statusId-1:useInPublications-Y&title=SOA
• All above TOGAF documents (and more): https://www2.opengroup.org/ogsys/jsp/publications/mainPage.jsp
• International Association of Software Architects http://www.iasaglobal.org/iasa/default.asp
• Comparison of top 4 EA Methodologies http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb466232.aspx
• Mike the Architect http://www.mikethearchitect.com/
• How is TOGAF used in practice http://blog.bizzdesign.com/how-is-togaf-used-in-practice-a-case
• Facebook group for TOGAF exam https://www.facebook.com/groups/Togaf300
• EA Voices http://eavoices.com/
• Volere Requirements Resources http://www.volere.co.uk/
• EA Glossary app and IT Taxonmy http://www.nestan.com.au/togaf
• Thanks to Linden Anderson, I am adding this link showing inputs and outputs of ADM phases http://sarathc.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/TOGAF_IO_DIAGRAM.png
• Capability Planning http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO/IEC_15504
• Blog with TOGAF test tips/resources http://www.selikoff.net/2013/04/09/jeannes-togaf-foundation-cert-in-3-weeks-experiences/
• Why get TOGAF Certified? http://news.dice.com/2015/02/27/interview-qs-togaf-enterprise-architects/?CMPID=EM_RE_UP_JS_AD_DA_CP_&utm_source=Responsys&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=&utm_campaign=Advisory_DiceAdvisor
• http://insights.dice.com/2014/11/17/togaf-certification-worth/?icid=ON_DN_UP_JS_AV_OG_RA_1
• ProfProfs Practice Exams
  • TOGAF Level 1
  • TOGAF Level 1

A special mention for my lecturer for the TOGAF course who provided me a fair number of these links Steve Corlew. If you know of any other really good resources then please do let me know

Gregg