TOGAF 9 Certified (Level 2) — Question 24

Scenario -
Your role is that of Lead Enterprise Architect working at the headquarters of a fast food chain. The chain manages over 7500 restaurants across 33 countries.
Each restaurant in the chain is an independently owned and operated franchise.
Many of the restaurants still use the first generation IT systems deployed over 10 years ago. The Chief Operating Officer (COO) 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 including providing its franchisees new support services to help them address the increasing competition from coffee shops. This 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, including healthier alternatives in the menu, 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 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.
In planning the 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 COO's vision. This recently completed with approval of a strategic architecture encompassing the entire chain, including detailed requirements and recommendations.
Based on the recommendations from the initial study, the decision has been taken for the chain to adopt a packaged suite of integrated applications that is tailored to the needs of the franchise.
You have been asked by the Chief Architect to propose the best approach for architecture development to realize the COO's vision.
Based on the TOGAF standard, which of the following is the best answer?

Answer options

• A. You propose that the focus be placed on architecture definition, with emphasis on understanding the strategic change parameters. The requirements, drivers, issues, and constraint for this engagement can then be identified. You would ensure that the target architecture addresses non-functional requirements so as to ensure the target architecture is robust and secure.
• B. You propose that the target architecture is defined first 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.
• C. You propose that the baseline Technology Architecture is defined 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 requirements to ensure that the projects are sequenced in an optimal fashion so as to realize the vision.
• D. You propose 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 that the proposed solution addresses the requirements identified in the initial study.

Correct answer: D

Explanation

The correct answer is D because it emphasizes defining the target architecture first, which aligns with the clarity of the vision and the strategic architecture already agreed upon. This approach helps avoid carrying forward existing problems and ensures the new solution effectively addresses the identified requirements. Options A, B, and C do not prioritize the clear understanding of the vision and may lead to inefficient transitions or unresolved issues in the current architecture.