TOGAF 9 Certified (Level 2) — Question 20

Your role is that of Lead Enterprise Architect for a chain of convenience stores. The chain includes over 15,000 retail outlets throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
Each store in the chain is an independently owned and operated franchise. The stores operate 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Many of the stores have been wirh the franchise for more than 10 years and still use the original IT systems deployed at that time.
The CEO of the chain has stated his concerns about the inefficiencies of the current systems and identified the need to change. He has defined a new strategic vision that will enhance the business by providing its franchisees new services to help them complete with other retail outlets and online retailers. This strategy is part of the long-term commitment to enhance the brand image and increase revenue for the chain. He has also stated that he expects improved financial results by the end of the current fiscal year.
The changes will help provide the chain with improved products, and more efficient operations. The stores will also act as delivery and return locations for a large online retailer which will further increase the number of potential customers. The addition of a corporate-wide data warehouse will provide analytics that will enable the marketing group to improve its ability to target advertising and new products to specific regions.
The chain has a mature Enterprise Architecture practice based in its headquarters and uses the TOGAF standard as the method and guiding framework. The CIO is the sponsor of the activity.
The Chief Architect engaged the services of a leading 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 chin, including detailed requirements and recommendations.
Based on the recommendations from the initial study, the decision for the chain to adopt a packegd suite of integrated applications that is tailored to the needs of the franchise has been taken.
You have been asked by the Chief Architect to propose the best approach for architecture development to realize the CEO's vision.
Based on the TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2 which of the following is the best answer?

Answer options

• A. You proposed that the target architecture is defined first, followed by transition planning. This is because the vision is well understood and the strategic architecture agreed. The target first approach will ensure that the current problems and inefficiencies of the baseline architecture are not carried forward, and the baseline architecture are not carried forward, and that the proposed solution addresses the requirements identified in the initial study.
• B. You propose that his engagement define the baseline architecture first in order to assess the current infrastructure capcity and capability. The initial priority is to understand the problem. Then the focus should be on transition planning and architecture deployment. This will identify requirements to ensure that the prjects are sequenced in an optimal fashion so as to realize the vision.
• C. You propose 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 propose 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.

Correct answer: A

Explanation

The correct answer, A, suggests defining the target architecture first, which aligns with the CEO's well-understood vision and the strategic architecture already approved. This approach prevents existing inefficiencies from being carried forward into the new architecture. In contrast, options B, C, and D emphasize understanding the baseline or strategic parameters first, which may delay addressing the immediate needs identified in the initial study.