Use when configuring phases for a new EA engagement, starting or resuming a TOGAF ADM phase, asking about phase inputs/outputs, defining phase sequence/depth/artifacts, or progressing through any phase of the Architecture Development Method.
togaf-adm-skill guides EA engagements through the Architecture Development Method in two modes: configuration (planning which phases apply, their sequence, depth, and artifacts) and guidance (interactively executing each phase with the user). Configuration mode is invoked during ea-setup-skill or the Preliminary phase; guidance mode is invoked during delivery as the user progresses through selected phases.
| Trigger | Mode |
|---|---|
| Called from ea-setup-skill or Preliminary phase | Configuration mode |
| User says "start phase X", "continue phase", "resume" | Guidance mode |
| User says "what do I need for Phase B?" | Guidance mode |
| No prior configuration exists | Configuration mode first, then Guidance mode |
Configuration mode produces a array for . Work through the following steps one at a time, waiting for user input at each step before proceeding.
phasesproject.jsonPresent the default principles one at a time. For each, ask the user to confirm, modify, or skip. After all defaults, ask if they want to add any additional principles.
Default principles:
Ask the following questions one at a time:
Record answers for inclusion in the governance section of project.json.
Captured governance answers are stored in the
governanceobject inproject.json(alongsidephases).
Present all ADM phases and ask which apply to this engagement. Offer common patterns as shortcuts:
| Pattern | Phases |
|---|---|
| Full programme | Preliminary → A → B → C → D → E → F → G → H |
| Strategy engagement | A → B |
| Technology refresh | A → C → D → E → F |
| Governance only | G → H |
Ask: "Which pattern fits, or would you like to select phases individually?"
Note: Requirements Management is not a selectable phase — it runs continuously across all phases and is automatically included in every engagement. It does not appear in
phases[]inproject.json.
Confirm the phase order with the user. Note that Phase B and Phase C can overlap — ask whether they should run concurrently or sequentially.
For each selected phase, ask the user to choose a depth level:
For each selected phase and its chosen depth, present the default artifact list from togaf-artifacts-skill. Ask the user to:
For each selected phase, ask for an optional target completion date.
Produce a phases array for project.json. Each phase entry must include:
{
"phase": "B",
"name": "Business Architecture",
"sequence": 2,
"depth": "Standard",
"status": "Not Started",
"progress": 0,
"targetDate": "2026-06-30",
"currentVersion": "1.0",
"versions": [],
"artifacts": [],
"nextAction": "Begin stakeholder interviews for business capability mapping"
}
The top-level project.json also includes a governance object alongside phases:
"governance": {
"approver": "string",
"reviewCadence": "string",
"hasArchitectureBoard": true
}
Guidance mode walks the user interactively through a selected phase. Load phase state from project.json before starting.
project.json.project.json documents array for pre-extracted content mapped to this phase.status and progress in project.json.status as Complete.currentPhase in project.json to the next phase in sequence.When the user resumes a phase already in progress:
project.json.status: Complete.status: In Progress or Not Started.If the user says "upload a document", "load this file", or similar at any point:
Triggered by: "redo Phase B", "new version of Phase A", or similar.
currentVersion (e.g. 1.0 → 2.0).status values to Not Started (preserve existing artifact files).versions[] array with the date and user-provided notes. ┌─────────────────────┐
│ Preliminary │
└──────────┬──────────┘
│
┌──────────▼──────────┐
│ Requirements Mgmt │ ← continuous across all phases
└──────────┬──────────┘
│
┌──────────▼──────────┐
│ Phase A: Vision │
└──────────┬──────────┘
│
┌──────────▼──────────┐
│ Phase B: Business │
└──────────┬──────────┘
│
┌──────────▼──────────┐
│ Phase C: Info Sys │
└──────────┬──────────┘
│
┌──────────▼──────────┐
│ Phase D: Technology│
└──────────┬──────────┘
│
┌──────────▼──────────┐
│ Phase E: Opportun. │
└──────────┬──────────┘
│
┌──────────▼──────────┐
│ Phase F: Migration │
└──────────┬──────────┘
│
┌──────────▼──────────┐
│ Phase G: Governance│
└──────────┬──────────┘
│
┌──────────▼──────────┐
│ Phase H: Change │
└──────────┬──────────┘
│
(new cycle)
| Goal | Start with |
|---|---|
| New EA programme | Preliminary |
| Architecture engagement request | Phase A |
| Define business capabilities | Phase B |
| Map applications to business | Phase C |
| Define technology platform | Phase D |
| Plan implementation projects | Phase E |
| Build a roadmap | Phase F |
| Govern ongoing projects | Phase G |
| Manage architecture change | Phase H |
| Phase | Purpose | Key Artifacts |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary | Prepare the organisation for TOGAF adoption; establish governance and tailor the ADM | Architecture Principles Catalog, Governance Model |
| A — Architecture Vision | Define scope, stakeholders, and high-level vision; obtain approval to proceed | Stakeholder Map, Architecture Vision Document, Business Scenario, Statement of Architecture Work |
| B — Business Architecture | Develop baseline and target Business Architecture; identify gaps | Business Capability Map, Process Flow Diagram, Organisation/Actor Catalog, Business Interaction Matrix |
| C — Information Systems Architecture | Develop Data and Application Architectures; map applications to business functions | Data Entity Catalog, Application Portfolio Catalog, Application/Function Matrix, Data Flow Diagram |
| D — Technology Architecture | Define the technology platform supporting data and applications; set standards | Technology Portfolio Catalog, Technology Standards Catalog, System/Technology Matrix |
| E — Opportunities and Solutions | Identify implementation projects and work packages from gap analyses | Project Context Diagram, Benefits Diagram, Implementation Factor Assessment |
| F — Migration Planning | Develop a detailed Implementation and Migration Plan; prioritise and sequence projects | Architecture Roadmap (Gantt), Transition Architecture descriptions, Migration Plan |
| G — Implementation Governance | Ensure architecture conformance during implementation; manage contracts | Architecture Contract, Compliance Assessment, Implementation Governance Model |
| H — Architecture Change Management | Monitor architecture performance; assess and manage change requests | Architecture Change Request, Change Impact Assessment |
| Requirements Management | Continuously identify, store, and manage architecture requirements across all phases | Requirements Repository, Requirements Impact Assessment |
Full inputs and outputs per phase: see
references/phase-inputs-outputs.md