Is the TOGAF Standard a prerequisite for Certification in Architecture?

What Is the TOGAF® Standard?

The TOGAF Standard is becoming well known in the industry as a standard in building and managing enterprise solutions. Growing number of business clients who need new systems or system enhancements are currently looking for enterprise architect talent that possesses the TOGAF certification. In various instances, many enterprise architects with years of experience in building large and complex enterprise systems are not chosen for company projects over TOGAF certified architects. As a result, the competition in this industry is high and aggressive for practicing enterprise architects, specifically for those who have not kept up with the most recent innovations in technical training.

It is important to note that the number of enterprise architects with the TOGAF certifications is increasing. Based on the current statistics, approximately 80 percent of the Fortune Top 50 companies worldwide have already adopted the TOGAF® EA standard. Because of this change, the enterprise architects who are currently working for commercial, government and non-profit organizations are expected to fulfill this requirement so that they can work on jobs in the capacity of:

• Consultant
• Project management
• Project team member

Regardless of the type of position needed, many of these organizations' top recruiters are looking through their pools of talent to glean out those who have the certification requirements. Therefore, enterprise architects who want to distinguish themselves further from their peers may need to seek to complete the necessary training so that they can successfully obtain the TOGAF® certification.

Driving Forces Behind The New Aggressive Changes

With any new change, it’s normal for people in these professions to question why a change is needed. Further, people are also concerned about the driving force or forces behind the change. This is the same with the TOGAF Standard since it is a major change that is impacting enterprise architects all over the world. Therefore, internationally based organizations have generally expressed the need for a target audience of candidates with formal architecture training. Once appropriately trained, this sector of architects will better understand what needs to be done to complete their projects successfully, on schedule and within the allocated budget. Because these professionals are also highly paid, holding them to a standard that produces effective planning becomes necessary.

Benefits of the TOGAF Training

There are many benefits of taking the TOGAF® courses and acquiring the TOGAF certification. Many involve remaining competitive in the field in a global work environment. Because this certification is recognized highly in Fortune 500 companies, people who aspire to work for these companies in this type of capacity will need it to land a job. Also, the certification that the person receives is meant to exemplify their understanding so they can work with others with the same knowledge base fluently. This means they will be able to use the same terminology when working to meet a specified deadline, specifically when tasked with an architecture design that mirrors their client’s needs and preferences.

The TOGAF Standard in Architecture is not new to those who are considered to be TOGAF® aware; it is becoming more prominent on a global scale. Because it is training that offers a thorough understanding of the industry's best practices, countries worldwide recognize it highly as a requirement for the talent they hire instead of an added benefit for enterprise architects. The driving force behind these changes involves many purposes, including ensuring businesses deploy robust architectural designs that meet their needs.

Also, using the industry's standards, the knowledge and training the architect receives can prepare them to work in a global environment that produces well-designed and planned systems within the allotted time frame. According to statistics, the number of people trained today is increasing to meet the growing demand of government agencies, commercial businesses and non-profit organizations.

Elevate your career with our TOGAF® Enterprise Architecture Training Course! This program will equip you with the essential skills and knowledge to master the TOGAF® framework.

TOGAF® is a registered trademark of The Open Group.