Free The Open Group OGEA-103 Practice Exam with Questions & Answers | Set: 2

The scenario states that:

A strategic architecture and roadmap already exist.

Business Architecture is complete, so the work now shifts to Information Systems and Technology Architectures (ADM Phases B–D).

The CTO requires use of the purpose-based EA Capability model (from the TOGAF Series Guide: A Practitioner’s Approach to Developing Enterprise Architecture Following the TOGAF ADM).

The EA team has to plan, organize, and manage the next stage of architecture development, including re-use of existing hardware/software platform components, candidate solutions, feasibility, risks, and prioritization.

Under the purpose-based EA approach, when moving from strategy into defining the next layers of architecture, TOGAF emphasizes:

Using the superior (already-approved) architecture to guide the next ADM cycles– This corresponds to the strategic architecture that is already completed.

Analyzing project dependencies, overlaps, and sequencing

Defining high-level architecture descriptions for the next iteration

Identifying reference architectures and candidate building blocks (especially when reusing existing platform components)

Assessing feasibility, value, cost, and risk for each project

Preparing for stakeholder trade-offs before formalizing the roadmap

These tasks map directly to Option A.

Why Option A is correct

Option A includes exactly what the purpose-based EA approach prescribes at this stage:

“The superior architecture should be used to guide the approach.”✔ Correct — strategic architecture guides the work.

“Review the identified projects, dependencies, and potential overlaps, then decide the order…”✔ Correct — sequencing and dependency assessment are core early tasks in Phases B–D planning.

“Develop high-level architecture descriptions.”✔ Correct — Business Architecture is done; now high-level IS/Tech Architecture descriptions are needed.

“Identify reference architectures and candidate building blocks.”✔ Correct — aligns with TOGAF building-block approach, and specifically fits the scenario where existing platform components will be reused.

“Identify resource needs, considering cost and value.”✔ Correct — mandatory for feasibility and planning.

“Document options, risks, and ways to control them to enable feasibility analysis and trade-off with stakeholders.”✔ Correct — this matches ADM guidelines for preparing options and addressing complexity before deeper development.

This is precisely how TOGAF expects the architecture team to plan, organize, and manage an ADM cycle after strategy is set.

The correct answer is C, as it aligns with the key TOGAF principles necessary for guiding enterprise architecture in a merger scenario where retail operations and systems are being consolidated.

Analysis of the Principles in Option C:

Common Use Applications

Since the two companies are merging, it is essential to standardize applications across the enterprise.

Using common applications ensures consistency, reduces costs, and improves efficiency.

TOGAF emphasizes this principle to prevent duplicate or redundant systems, which aligns with the CIO’s goal of reducing the number of applications used.

Data is an Asset

In the scenario, a central inventory management system is a core business function.

Treating data as an asset ensures it is managed properly, shared efficiently, and used strategically across the merged organization.

This principle supports the company’s ability to predict demand, adjust stock levels, and automate reordering.

Common Vocabulary and Data Definitions

The merger requires integrating different systems and data structures.

Having a common vocabulary ensures that all stakeholders (stores, fulfillment centers, and digital platforms) use consistent terminology and data definitions.

This minimizes confusion and ensures interoperability across business functions.

Maximize Benefit to the Enterprise

Every architectural decision should focus on the overall benefit to the business.

By consolidating IT systems and reducing redundancies, the company achieves cost savings, which directly supports this principle.

Business Continuity

The stores operate seven days a week, so system changes must ensure uninterrupted service.

Business continuity ensures that customers are not affected during the transition and that critical retail operations (sales, inventory tracking, and fulfillment) remain functional.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

Option A: Control Technical Diversity, Interoperability, Data is an Asset, Data is Shared, Business Continuity

Control Technical Diversity is not the primary concern here. The focus is on system consolidation, not necessarily on limiting technology diversity.

Interoperability is important but not as critical as defining a common system and data structure.

Option B: Service Orientation, Compliance with the Law, Requirements-Based Change, Responsive Change Management, Data Security

While service orientation and compliance are valuable, they are not the most relevant to this specific business transition.

Change management and data security are important but do not address the primary enterprise-wide architectural concerns of system consolidation.

Option D: Ease of Use, Common Use Applications, Data is an Asset, Technology Independence, Business Continuity

Ease of Use is beneficial but is not a core architecture principle in this case.

Technology Independence is useful but does not align directly with the scenario’s priority, which is consolidating applications and data structures.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract (150–250 words):

Option C is the best answer because it directly aligns with the most critical concerns expressed in the scenario and maps precisely to the example Architecture Principles defined in the TOGAF standard.

The principle Common Vocabulary and Data Definitions is essential in a healthcare environment where standardized medical coding, shared electronic health records, and cross-provider data exchange are core operational requirements. Without consistent data definitions, AI-based solutions would misinterpret clinical information, leading to unsafe or incorrect outcomes.

Data Security is one of the most fundamental principles in regulated industries such as healthcare. The scenario explicitly highlights privacy, prevention of data breaches, system availability, and protection of life-critical systems. This principle ensures confidentiality, integrity, and availability of patient data, all of which are non-negotiable constraints for architecture work in this context.

Requirements-Based Change ensures that architectural decisions are driven by clearly defined business and clinical requirements rather than technology trends alone. This is particularly important for AI initiatives, where stakeholder concerns emphasize patient outcomes, life-critical timing, and minimal disruption. This principle ensures that AI adoption is justified, traceable, and aligned with healthcare priorities.

The other options either focus too broadly on governance, enterprise-wide benefit, or general accessibility, and do not sufficiently address the clinical safety, data integrity, and requirements-driven nature of the project. Therefore, Option C best reflects TOGAF guidance for this scenario.

At this stage in the scenario:

A strategic architecture has been completed.

All divisions have completed their Architecture Definition Documents.

Work packages have been defined.

Transition Architectures between Baseline and Target are already identified.

A draft roadmap exists for a multi-year phased migration.

You are now asked to plan the next steps for the migration, which aligns exactly with TOGAF ADM Phase F: Implementation and Migration Planning.

In Phase F, TOGAF prescribes the following key activities:

Evaluate and prioritize projects and work packages

Determine business value, cost, risk, dependencies

Confirm Transition Architectures and sequencing

Update and finalize the Implementation & Migration Plan

Option B is the ONLY answer that correctly follows these required TOGAF steps.

✔ Why Option B is correct

Option B states:

“Estimate the business value for each project by applying the Business Value Assessment Technique … to prioritize the migration projects.”✔ This is a TOGAF-recommended technique specifically for Phase F to evaluate and prioritize transformations using value, risk, and ROI.

“Confirm and plan a series of Transition Architecture phases … using a table of Architecture Definition Increments.”✔ Exactly aligned with TOGAF:

Transition Architectures were identified earlier.

In Phase F, they must be confirmed, sequenced, and documented.

“Update the Implementation and Migration Plan.”✔ This is the required output of ADM Phase F.✔ At this point, the plan must be validated and finalized based on value and prioritization.

Thus, Option B directly matches TOGAF’s prescribed migration planning process.

✘ Why the other options are incorrect

A – Incorrect

Suggests finalizing Architecture Definition documentation—this was already completed by each division.

Introduces an “Implementation Governance Model,” which is not a TOGAF artifact at this stage.

Focuses on lessons learned BEFORE execution, which is not appropriate for migration planning.

C – Incorrect

Focuses only on project selection and resource assignment.

Does not use TOGAF techniques for value/risk evaluation.

Does not reference Transition Architectures, which are central in the scenario.

Oversimplifies Implementation & Migration Planning to resource scheduling.

D – Incorrect

Compliance Assessments occur DURING execution, not before migration planning.

At this stage, no implementation has started, so compliance reviews are premature.

Adjusting performance requirements now has no alignment with TOGAF’s ADM sequence.

In the TOGAF framework, understanding and addressing stakeholder concerns is crucial, particularly for complex projects with high stakes like the AI-first initiative described in the scenario. This approach aligns well with TOGAF’s ADM (Architecture Development Method) and its emphasis on effective stakeholder management and risk assessment. Here’s why this is the best course of action:

Stakeholder Analysis and Documentation:Conducting a stakeholder analysis is foundational in the early stages of any TOGAF project, particularly during the Preliminary and Architecture Vision phases. This process involves identifying the different stakeholders, understanding their positions, documenting their concerns, and considering any cultural factors that might influence their perspective on the AI-first initiative. Given the diverse concerns raised (such as job security, skill requirements, and cybersecurity), it’s essential to have a clear understanding of each stakeholder group’s priorities and fears.

Recording Concerns in the Architecture Vision Document:The Architecture Vision phase in TOGAF focuses on defining the high-level scope and objectives of the architecture project. By documenting stakeholder concerns and the corresponding views in the Architecture Vision document, the EA team ensures that these concerns are transparently acknowledged and addressed as part of the strategic direction. This step not only aligns with TOGAF best practices but also helps in building stakeholder buy-in and trust.

Architecture Requirements Specification and Risk Management:Risk management is a key aspect of TOGAF’s ADM, particularly in the Requirements Management and Implementation Governance phases. Documenting the requirements for addressing specific risks in the Architecture Requirements Specification provides a structured way to ensure that identified risks are acknowledged and managed throughout the transformation. Regular assessments and feedback loops ensure ongoing alignment and adaptability to emerging risks, which is particularly important given the dynamic nature of AI and its associated challenges.

Alignment with TOGAF ADM Phases:This approach follows the prescribed flow of TOGAF’s ADM, starting with stakeholder engagement in the Preliminary and Architecture Vision phases and progressing to risk assessment in the Requirements Management phase. By maintaining afocus on stakeholder needs and formalizing these into architecture requirements, the EA team can ensure that the architecture not only meets business objectives but also mitigates stakeholder concerns.

TOGAF Reference on Stakeholder Management Techniques:TOGAF places significant emphasis on managing stakeholder concerns through its stakeholder management techniques, which highlight the need to systematically identify, analyze, and address the concerns of all involved parties. This practice helps ensure that the architecture is viable and accepted across the organization.

By conducting a thorough stakeholder analysis and integrating the findings into both the Architecture Vision and the Architecture Requirements Specification, the EA team can proactively address stakeholder concerns, manage risks, and align the AI-first initiative with the agency’s strategic objectives. This approach is consistent with TOGAF’s guidance and provides a structured framework for addressing both business and technical challenges in the context of an AI-first transformation.

Option A best aligns with TOGAF Phase A: Architecture Vision, which is the starting phase for an architecture development cycle in TOGAF. This phase sets the foundation for the architecture engagement and ensures alignment with stakeholders and their concerns, especially when evaluating a major transformation like moving to a cloud-based planning and scheduling system.

???? Key TOGAF Concepts Supporting Option A:

1. Phase A: Architecture Vision Objectives

Establish the high-level scope, constraints, and expectations.

Identify stakeholders and define their concerns and business requirements.

Create the Architecture Vision, which includes:

Summary-level Baseline and Target Architecture views (business, data, application, and technology).

Initial requirements and key concerns.

Stakeholder buy-in and approval for moving forward.

2. Engagement with Stakeholders

In this case, the plant managers and local supply chain partners have concerns regarding safety and dependability.

TOGAF emphasizes early engagement with business stakeholders to ensure concerns are identified and incorporated into the vision.

3. Creating Architecture Vision Document

A deliverable of Phase A.

Includes high-level descriptions of the baseline and target architectures, initial business goals, and stakeholder viewpoints.

Used to build agreement and obtain formal approval to proceed with detailed architecture work in later phases (B–D).

❌ Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

B: Focuses on suppliers and not the actual stakeholders impacted by the architecture — i.e., plant managers and internal operations. This diverts from TOGAF’s stakeholder-driven approach in Phase A.

C: This reflects Phases B–D of the ADM (Business, Information Systems, and Technology Architecture). It is too detailed and premature for the start of the project. In Phase A, you don’t yet develop full baseline and target architectures or conduct a consolidated gap analysis.

D: While interviewing stakeholders is valid in Phase A, this option lacks a holistic view of the Architecture Vision development, and skips the TOGAF requirement to produce summary views of the baseline and target architectures and to use them to drive stakeholder buy-in. It is tactically correct, but strategically incomplete.

???? TOGAF Source References:

TOGAF 9.2 – Section 6.2 (Phase A: Architecture Vision)

"The Architecture Vision describes how the proposed architecture support the business goals, and the strategic direction. It also provides a high-level description of the baseline and target architectures and identifies key stakeholders and concerns."

TOGAF 9.2 – Part IV, Architecture Content Framework

"The Architecture Vision includes the scope, constraints, and expectations. It forms the basis for approval to proceed with further architecture development."