Glossary
174 terms covering TOGAF, enterprise architecture, governance, and the worked case study, each defined in plain English.
A
- Active Network Management (ANM)
- A set of automated controls that adjust generation and demand in real time to keep the distribution network within safe operating limits. ANM allows more renewable energy to connect without expensive physical reinforcement.
- Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS)
- A next-generation control platform that combines the functions of a traditional DMS, SCADA and outage management into a single system. ADMS supports the more complex decision-making that DSO operations require.
- API Gateway
- A single entry point that routes, authenticates and rate-limits requests to back-end services. It simplifies client access and provides a central place to apply security and monitoring policies.
- Application Architecture
- A blueprint showing which software applications the organisation uses, how they interact and how they support business capabilities. It helps spot duplication and plan consolidation.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Application Programming Interface (API)
- A set of rules that lets one piece of software talk to another. When you check the weather on your phone, the app uses an API to request data from a remote server and display the result.
- ArchiMate
- A visual modelling language maintained by The Open Group, designed specifically for enterprise architecture. It provides a standardised set of symbols for business, application and technology layers.
- The Open Group ArchiMate Standard
- Architecture Board
- A cross-organisation body that oversees architecture standards, reviews designs and resolves disputes. It typically includes senior architects, business leaders and IT managers.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Architecture Building Block (ABB)
- A building block described at a high level without specifying the exact product or technology. It says what is needed, not how to build it.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Architecture Capability
- The combination of people, processes, tools and governance structures that allow an organisation to do architecture work consistently. Building this capability is the purpose of the Preliminary Phase.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Architecture Contract
- A formal agreement between the architecture team and a project team that defines what the project will deliver and which standards it will follow. It holds both sides accountable.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Architecture Definition Document
- A key deliverable that captures the baseline and target architectures for all four domains (business, data, application, technology). It is the primary output of Phases B, C and D.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Architecture Development Method (ADM)
- The step-by-step process TOGAF uses to create and manage enterprise architecture. Think of it as a recipe with phases A through H that guides an organisation from a rough idea to a fully working design.
- TOGAF: The core of the TOGAF framework. A multi-phase, iterative approach to develop and use an Enterprise Architecture to shape and govern business transformation.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition, C220 Part 0: Introduction and Core Concepts, Chapter 4 Definitions §4.11, p.43
- Architecture Domain
- One of the four main areas of enterprise architecture: business, data, application and technology. Each domain has its own set of artefacts, concerns and modelling techniques, but all four must align.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Architecture Governance
- The practices and structures that ensure architecture decisions are made properly and followed consistently. It includes reviews, sign-offs and escalation paths when rules are broken.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Architecture Landscape
- A big-picture map showing all the architectures within an organisation at different levels of detail: strategic, segment and capability. It helps leaders see how everything fits together.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Architecture Maturity
- A measure of how well-established and effective an organisation's architecture practice is. Higher maturity means more consistent governance, better reuse and stronger alignment with business goals.
- Architecture Partitioning
- The practice of dividing the enterprise architecture into manageable segments so that different teams can work on different parts simultaneously. Partitioning must respect dependencies to avoid hidden coupling.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Architecture Pattern
- A proven, repeatable solution to a common design problem. Patterns save time because architects can adapt an existing approach instead of inventing something new for each project.
- Architecture Principle
- A general rule or guideline that steers all architecture decisions. For example, 'buy before build' means the organisation prefers purchasing existing software over custom development.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Architecture Repository
- The central storage area where all architecture documents, models, patterns and standards are kept. It is the single source of truth for the architecture team.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Architecture Roadmap
- A timeline view showing the sequence of transition architectures that take the organisation from its current state to the target. It highlights dependencies, milestones and decision points.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Architecture Skill
- A specific competency that an enterprise architect needs to perform their role effectively. TOGAF Series Guide G198 (Architecture Skills Framework) groups skills into seven categories - generic, business, enterprise architecture, programme management, IT general knowledge, technical IT, and legal environment - each assessed across four proficiency levels.
- G198, Architecture Skills Framework (legacy); G249 Architecture Roles and Skills (2024)
- Artefact
- A specific document, diagram, table or list produced during architecture work. Artefacts are the individual pieces that make up a deliverable, like how chapters make up a book.
- TOGAF: An architectural work product that describes an aspect of the architecture.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition, C220 Part 0: Introduction and Core Concepts, Chapter 4 Definitions §4.23, p.45
- Asset Register
- A comprehensive database of all physical assets owned by a network operator, including cables, transformers, switchgear and substations. It records location, age, condition, rating and maintenance history for each asset.
B
- Baseline Architecture
- A description of the current state of the enterprise as it exists today. It is the starting point from which gap analysis measures what needs to change.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- BIZBOK (Business Architecture Body of Knowledge)
- A guide published by the Business Architecture Guild that provides techniques for mapping capabilities, value streams, organisation and information. It complements TOGAF's business architecture work.
- Bounded Context
- A clearly defined boundary within which a particular domain model applies. The same word can mean different things in different bounded contexts, and the boundary prevents that ambiguity from causing integration errors.
- Building Block
- A reusable chunk of capability that can be combined with other chunks to build solutions. Like LEGO bricks, each one does something useful on its own but becomes more powerful when connected to others.
- TOGAF: A potentially re-usable component that can be combined with other building blocks to deliver architectures and solutions.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition, C220 Part 0: Introduction and Core Concepts, Chapter 4 Definitions §4.26, p.45
- Business Continuity
- The planning and preparation that ensures an organisation can keep operating during and after a major disruption such as a cyber attack, natural disaster or equipment failure. Architecture work must account for continuity requirements.
- Business Footprint
- A high-level diagram that shows which business units, functions or locations are affected by a particular architecture initiative. It gives executives a quick view of the scope and organisational reach of the change.
- Business Scenario
- A technique for discovering architecture requirements by telling a story about a real business problem. It describes the situation, the actors involved, the desired outcome and the constraints.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
C
- Capability
- Something an organisation can do, expressed without saying how or who does it. 'Customer onboarding' is a capability. It could be done by people, software or a mix of both.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Capability Increment
- A planned improvement to a specific business or technology capability delivered within a single transition state. Increments are the building blocks of the architecture roadmap and should each deliver measurable value.
- Capability Map
- A structured diagram showing all the capabilities an enterprise needs, typically arranged in a hierarchy. It provides a stable, technology-neutral vocabulary for discussing what the organisation does.
- Capability-Based Planning
- An approach that identifies the capabilities an organisation needs, assesses the current maturity of each one and plans investments to close gaps. It links strategy directly to execution.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Catalogue
- A structured list of architecture elements of a single type, such as a technology standards catalogue or an application portfolio catalogue. Catalogues are one of the three main artefact types in the TOGAF content metamodel.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- CGMES v3.0
- Common Grid Model Exchange Standard version 3.0. A European profile of CIM maintained by ENTSO-E that defines how transmission and distribution grid models are serialised and exchanged. GB CIM extends CGMES for GB-specific requirements.
- IEC 61970-600-1:2021, IEC 61970-600-2:2021
- Clean Power
- Electricity generated from sources that produce little or no greenhouse gas emissions, such as wind, solar, nuclear and hydropower. The UK government has set a target of a clean power system by 2030.
- Common Information Model (CIM)
- A family of international standards (IEC 61970, 61968, 62325) that define a shared vocabulary for electricity network assets, measurements and market processes. The base layer on which CGMES and GB CIM are built.
- IEC 61970-301:2020+AMD1:2022
- Compliance
- The degree to which a project or system follows the agreed architecture standards. A compliance review checks that implementations match the approved design.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Compliance Assessment
- A structured evaluation that compares a solution design against the architecture standards and principles. It produces a score or rating that shows how closely the design follows the agreed rules.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Compliance Review
- A formal check to confirm that a project or solution follows the approved architecture standards. The review records any gaps and decides whether to grant a waiver, request rework or escalate the issue.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Concern
- A specific interest or worry that a stakeholder has about the architecture. For example, a finance director's concern might be cost, while a security officer's concern is data protection.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Connection Offer
- A formal document from a network operator that sets out the technical and financial terms for connecting a new generator, battery or large load to the electricity network. It includes timescales, costs and any reinforcement work needed.
- Connections Reform
- The programme of regulatory and process changes designed to speed up and simplify how new generation, storage and demand connects to the electricity network. Lengthy connection queues are a major barrier to net-zero targets.
- Content Framework
- The overarching structure that organises the deliverables, artefacts and building blocks produced during each ADM phase. It ensures consistency across all architecture outputs.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Content Metamodel
- A detailed model that defines all the types of architecture content (entities, attributes, relationships) that TOGAF recommends. It acts as a blueprint for how architecture information is structured.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF)
- A set of principles and indicators published by the NCSC that helps organisations assess their cyber security posture. In the energy sector, Ofgem uses the CAF to evaluate how well network operators manage cyber risks.
- NCSC
D
- Data Domain
- A logical grouping of related data, such as 'customer data' or 'asset data'. Organising data into domains makes it easier to assign ownership and apply consistent rules.
- Data Stewardship
- The ongoing responsibility for managing and maintaining the quality, accuracy and security of a data set. A data steward makes sure the data follows its rules, is kept up to date and is accessible to those who need it.
- Decision Right
- A clearly assigned authority that says who can approve, reject or escalate a particular type of architecture decision. Without explicit decision rights, governance bodies discuss endlessly but decide nothing.
- Defence in Depth
- A security strategy that layers multiple independent controls so that if one fails, the next one still protects the system. It is especially important in critical infrastructure like electricity networks.
- Deliverable
- A work product that is formally reviewed, agreed and signed off by stakeholders. Deliverables are the official outputs of the ADM, such as an Architecture Definition Document.
- TOGAF: An architectural work product that is contractually specified and in turn formally reviewed, agreed, and signed off by the stakeholders.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition, C220 Part 0: Introduction and Core Concepts, Chapter 4 Definitions §4.40, p.48
- Demand Response
- A programme that encourages electricity consumers to reduce or shift their usage during peak periods, often in exchange for financial incentives. It helps prevent network overload.
- DESNZ
- The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the UK government department responsible for energy policy, climate targets and ensuring the security of the energy supply.
- Diagram
- A visual artefact that presents architecture information graphically, such as a network topology or a process flow. Diagrams communicate complex relationships more quickly than text or tables.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Difference Model
- A CIM XML dataset that describes only the changes relative to a previously published Full Model. Smaller and faster to process, but requires the base Full Model to interpret. Used in Stage 3 LTDS publication.
- Digital Twin
- A virtual replica of a physical asset, process or system that updates in real time using sensor data. Energy companies use digital twins to simulate network behaviour before making changes.
- Dispensation
- A temporary permission to deviate from an architecture standard, granted with conditions and an expiry date. Unlike a waiver, a dispensation usually requires the project to come back into compliance later.
- Distributed Energy Resource (DER)
- A small-scale electricity source or storage device connected to the local distribution network rather than the national grid. Examples include rooftop solar panels, home batteries and small wind turbines.
- Distribution Management System (DMS)
- Software that helps a DNO manage the electricity distribution network. It models the network, calculates power flows, detects faults and helps operators restore supply quickly.
- Distribution Network Operator (DNO)
- The company responsible for the local electricity network that carries power from the national grid to homes and businesses. In Great Britain there are six DNO groups covering 14 licence areas.
- Distribution System Operator (DSO)
- The future role of a DNO when it actively manages two-way power flows, balances local supply and demand, and coordinates distributed energy resources like solar panels and batteries.
- DoDAF (Department of Defense Architecture Framework)
- An architecture framework used by the US military and its partners. It organises architecture descriptions into viewpoints covering operational, systems and technical areas.
- DSO Transition
- The process by which a traditional distribution network operator evolves into a distribution system operator that actively manages local energy flows, coordinates flexibility and enables markets for distributed resources.
E
- ED2 (Electricity Distribution Price Control)
- The second generation of RIIO price controls for electricity distribution, running from 2023 to 2028. ED2 sets the investment allowances and performance targets for all fourteen DNO licence areas.
- Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure
- The network of charge points, cables and back-office systems that supply electricity to electric vehicles. Rapid growth in EVs is creating major planning challenges for distribution networks.
- Emerging Technology
- A technology that is new or developing rapidly and has the potential to change how an enterprise operates. Examples include artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, blockchain, and edge computing. TOGAF Series Guide G21D recommends assessing emerging technologies through the ADM rather than creating separate innovation tracks.
- G21D, TOGAF and Emerging Technologies
- ENA
- Energy Networks Association. The trade body for GB gas and electricity network companies. ENA runs five technical workstreams that build and test LTDS data products under the GB CIM Advisory Group's supervision.
- Energisation
- The process of connecting a new piece of electrical equipment to the live network for the first time. Energisation requires safety checks, protection settings and coordination between the installer and the network operator.
- Engagement Hub
- The BSI-hosted platform where GB CIM Advisory Group members submit issues, track resolutions, and access weekly digests. The primary channel for raising and resolving LTDS-related technical questions.
- BSI GB CIM Engagement Hub (cim.bsigroup.com)
- Enterprise Architecture (EA)
- The discipline of designing and managing an organisation's overall structure of business processes, information, technology and people. It ensures that all parts work together efficiently towards shared goals.
- TOGAF: A conceptual blueprint that defines the structure and operation of an organisation.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition, C220 Part 0: Introduction and Core Concepts. The standard defines 'enterprise' (p.48 §4.42) as 'The highest level (typically) of description of an organization and typically covers all missions and functions. An enterprise will often span multiple organizations.' 'Enterprise Architecture' as a defined phrase is discussed throughout Part 0 rather than given a single normative one-sentence definition; the course uses a pedagogical paraphrase.
- Enterprise Continuum
- A way of classifying architecture assets from very generic (useful anywhere) to very specific (useful only in your organisation). It helps teams reuse work instead of starting from scratch every time.
- TOGAF: A categorization mechanism for classifying architecture and Solution Building Blocks (SBBs) as they evolve from generic to specific applicability (or vice versa).
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition, C220 Part 0: Introduction and Core Concepts, Chapter 4 Definitions §4.44, p.48
- Enterprise Scope
- The boundary that defines which parts of the organisation, its partners and its supply chain are included in the architecture work. Getting the scope right prevents both runaway effort and blind spots.
- Enterprise Service Bus (ESB)
- A middleware platform that routes messages between applications using a central hub. ESBs were widely used in service-oriented architecture but have largely been replaced by lighter integration approaches.
- Event-Driven Architecture
- A design pattern where systems communicate by producing and consuming events rather than calling each other directly. It reduces coupling and allows components to react to changes asynchronously.
F
- Fault Level
- The maximum electrical current that would flow at a point on the network if a short circuit occurred. Network engineers must ensure that switchgear and protection equipment can safely handle the fault level at every location.
- FEAF (Federal Enterprise Architecture Framework)
- A framework used by US federal government agencies to organise and align IT investments with government priorities. It defines reference models for performance, business, data, application and technology.
- Federated Architecture
- An approach where multiple teams or business units maintain their own architectures within a shared set of standards and principles. Federation balances local autonomy with enterprise-wide coherence.
- Flexibility
- The ability to adjust electricity consumption or generation in response to network conditions. A factory might shift its heavy energy use to off-peak hours, helping balance supply and demand.
- Full Model
- A complete CIM XML dataset that describes the entire state of a licence area at a specific point in time. Full Models are self-contained: you do not need any prior data to interpret them. Used for Stage 2 LTDS publication.
- Fundamental Content
- The normative, prescriptive part of the TOGAF standard that defines the ADM, content metamodel, and core governance framework. It is the part that certification exams test and that organisations must follow to claim TOGAF conformance.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
G
- Gap Analysis
- A comparison between where the organisation is today (baseline) and where it wants to be (target). The gaps tell architects exactly what needs to change.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- GB CIM
- Great Britain Common Information Model. A GB-specific profile built on top of the international CIM standard (IEC 61970 / 61968) and CGMES v3.0. Maintained by the GB CIM Advisory Group, administered by BSI.
- BSI GB CIM Advisory Group
- Geographic Information System (GIS)
- A system that stores, analyses and displays data linked to locations on a map. Energy companies use GIS to track where cables, substations and other assets are physically located.
- Governance Log
- A running record of every architecture decision, waiver, exception and compliance review outcome. The log provides an audit trail that connects governance actions to the rationale behind them.
- GSP
- Grid Supply Point. The physical point where the high-voltage transmission network connects to a distribution network. Each DNO licence area has multiple GSPs. In LTDS, the GSP is the top of the modelling boundary.
H
- Heat Pump
- A device that moves heat from outside air, ground or water into a building, using electricity. The UK government promotes heat pumps as a low-carbon alternative to gas boilers.
- Heatmap
- A colour-coded overlay on a capability map that shows where each capability sits on a scale such as maturity, investment need or strategic importance. Red usually signals a gap or risk that demands attention.
I
- Integration
- The process of connecting different systems so they can share data and work together. Integration can happen through APIs, message queues, file transfers or shared databases.
- Interoperability
- The ability of two or more systems to exchange information and use it meaningfully. True interoperability means a message sent from one system is correctly understood by the other.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library)
- A set of best practices for IT service management. ITIL helps organisations deliver reliable IT services by defining processes for incidents, changes, problems and service requests.
L
- Long Term Development Statement (LTDS)
- Published by every electricity Distribution Network Operator in Great Britain under paragraphs 25.2 and 25.3 of the distribution licence. Describes the local network over the next five years: equipment, capacity and planned investment.
- LTDS Grid Modelling Annex 1 v6, section 7
M
- Master Data Management (MDM)
- A set of processes and tools that ensures critical shared data such as customer, product or asset records stays consistent and accurate across all systems. MDM prevents the confusion caused by multiple conflicting versions of the same record.
- Matrix
- A grid-style artefact that shows the relationships between two types of architecture element, such as applications and business functions. Matrices make it easy to spot gaps, overlaps and dependencies.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Metadata
- Data that describes other data. For a customer record, metadata might include when it was created, who owns it and what format it uses. Good metadata makes data easier to find and trust.
- Microservice
- A small, independently deployable software component that does one thing well and communicates with other components through lightweight interfaces. Microservices give teams flexibility but add operational complexity.
- Middleware
- Software that sits between applications and the operating system or network, providing services such as message routing, data transformation and transaction management. Enterprise service buses and message brokers are common types.
- Migration Plan
- A detailed schedule showing how the organisation will move from the baseline architecture to the target through one or more transition states. It includes dependencies, resources, risks and decision gates.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Minimum Viable Architecture
- The smallest set of architecture artefacts and governance steps that still provides genuine decision value. It is the tailored starting point for organisations that cannot justify a full TOGAF implementation.
- Monolith
- A software application built as a single, tightly integrated unit where all components share the same process and database. Monoliths are simpler to deploy and debug but harder to scale or change independently.
- mRID
- Master Resource Identifier. A globally unique identifier (UUID format) assigned to every object in a CIM dataset. The mRID is the primary key that allows different systems to refer to the same physical asset unambiguously.
- IEC 61970-301, IdentifiedObject.mRID
N
- National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)
- The UK government body responsible for providing cyber security guidance and incident response. The NCSC publishes the Cyber Assessment Framework and advises critical national infrastructure operators.
- NESO (National Energy System Operator)
- The body responsible for operating Great Britain's electricity and gas systems in real time and for long-term energy planning. It coordinates supply and demand to keep the lights on.
- Net Zero
- The target of balancing greenhouse gas emissions with removals so the net amount added to the atmosphere is zero. The UK has a legal commitment to reach net zero by 2050.
- Network Model
- A mathematical representation of an electricity network showing how substations, transformers, cables and switches are connected. It is used for power flow calculations and fault analysis.
- NIS Regulations
- The Network and Information Systems Regulations that require operators of essential services in the UK to manage cyber security risks. Electricity distribution companies must comply with these regulations and report significant incidents.
O
- Ofgem
- The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets, the independent energy regulator for Great Britain. Ofgem sets the rules and price controls that electricity and gas network companies must follow.
- Operating Model
- A description of how an organisation delivers its products or services on a day-to-day basis. In enterprise architecture, the operating model defines the level of process standardisation and data integration needed across business units.
- Operational Technology (OT) Security
- The practice of protecting industrial control systems like SCADA from cyber threats. OT security is critical in energy because a compromised system could cause power outages.
- Organisation Map
- A diagram that shows the relationship between organisational units, roles and the business functions they perform. It is more useful than a traditional org chart because it links structure to actual work.
P
- Phase A: Architecture Vision
- The first phase of each ADM cycle where the team creates a high-level picture of what the target architecture should achieve. It secures stakeholder buy-in and approval to proceed.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition, C220 Part 1: Architecture Development Method - Phase A
- Phase B: Business Architecture
- The phase where the team maps out how the business works today and how it should work in future. It covers processes, capabilities, organisation structure and information flows.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition, C220 Part 1: Architecture Development Method - Phase B
- Phase C: Information Systems Architectures
- The phase covering both data architecture and application architecture. It defines what data the organisation needs, where it lives, and which applications create, read, update or delete it.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition, C220 Part 1: Architecture Development Method - Phase C
- Phase D: Technology Architecture
- The phase that maps out the technology infrastructure, including servers, networks, middleware and platforms needed to support the data and applications designed in Phase C.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition, C220 Part 1: Architecture Development Method - Phase D
- Phase E: Opportunities and Solutions
- The phase where the team identifies the work packages, projects and programmes needed to move from the current state to the target architecture. It groups changes into manageable chunks.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition, C220 Part 1: Architecture Development Method - Phase E
- Phase F: Migration Planning
- The phase that creates a detailed roadmap showing the order in which projects will run, their dependencies and the resources required. It turns ideas into an actionable plan.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition, C220 Part 1: Architecture Development Method - Phase F
- Phase G: Implementation Governance
- The phase that oversees the actual build and deployment work to make sure it follows the architecture. Architects review projects to prevent drift from the agreed design.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition, C220 Part 1: Architecture Development Method - Phase G
- Phase H: Architecture Change Management
- The final phase that monitors the live architecture for changes in business needs, technology or regulations. When a significant change is detected, it triggers a new ADM cycle.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition, C220 Part 1: Architecture Development Method - Phase H
- Platform
- A foundation of technology services on which other systems are built and run. A cloud platform, for example, provides computing power, storage and networking that applications rely on.
- Portfolio Management
- The discipline of selecting, prioritising, and sequencing an enterprise's change initiatives so they deliver the target architecture within acceptable cost, risk, and time constraints. The architecture landscape is the primary input to portfolio decisions. TOGAF Series Guide G238 describes the linkage between architecture and portfolio management.
- G238, Portfolio Management and Architecture
- Power Flow Analysis
- A calculation that determines the voltage, current and power at every point in an electricity network under specific loading conditions. It helps engineers check that the network can handle demand.
- Preliminary Phase
- The setup phase before the ADM cycle begins. This is where the organisation decides how it will do architecture, sets up the team, chooses tools and agrees on principles.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition, C220 Part 1: Architecture Development Method - Preliminary Phase
R
- RACI Matrix
- A responsibility chart that assigns four roles to every task or decision: Responsible (does the work), Accountable (owns the outcome), Consulted (provides input) and Informed (kept up to date). It prevents confusion about who decides what.
- Readiness Assessment
- A structured evaluation of how prepared an organisation is to adopt a proposed change. It examines factors such as leadership commitment, skills, culture and infrastructure so architects can sequence transformation realistically.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Reference Architecture
- A template architecture for a particular domain or technology area. It provides a starting point that can be tailored to the specific needs of an organisation.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Request for Architecture Work
- A formal trigger that starts a new ADM cycle. It comes from a sponsor or governance body and describes the business problem, scope, constraints and expected outcomes.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Requirements Management
- A continuous process that sits at the centre of the ADM. It captures, stores, prioritises and feeds architecture requirements into every phase, making sure nothing gets forgotten.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition, C220 Part 1: Architecture Development Method - Requirements Management
- RIIO
- Revenue equals Incentives plus Innovation plus Outputs, the price control framework Ofgem uses to regulate energy network companies. RIIO sets how much money networks can spend and what outcomes they must deliver over multi-year periods.
- Risk Appetite
- The amount and type of risk an organisation is willing to accept in pursuit of its objectives. Architecture decisions must stay within the agreed risk appetite, and anything beyond it needs explicit board-level approval.
- Risk Register
- A structured log that records identified risks, their likelihood, potential impact and the controls or mitigations applied. Architecture teams feed technology and integration risks into the enterprise risk register.
S
- SABSA (Sherwood Applied Business Security Architecture)
- A framework for designing security architecture that is driven by business requirements. It uses a layered model similar to Zachman but focused entirely on risk and security.
- SABSA Layer
- One of the six abstraction layers in the SABSA security architecture framework: contextual, conceptual, logical, physical, component and operational. Each layer addresses security from a different audience perspective, similar to Zachman rows.
- SABSA Institute
- SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition)
- A computer system that monitors and controls industrial equipment in real time. In the energy sector, SCADA lets control room operators see voltages, switch circuits and respond to faults remotely.
- Segment Architecture
- An architecture for a major division or business area of the enterprise. It provides more detail than a strategic architecture but less than a solution architecture.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Series Guide
- An official Open Group publication that extends the TOGAF core standard with detailed guidance on a specific topic. Series Guides are non-normative, meaning they offer recommended practice rather than mandatory rules.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Series Guide G198: Architecture Skills Framework
- A TOGAF Series Guide that defines the skills and competencies needed by enterprise architects at different career levels. It organises skills into seven competency categories (generic, business, enterprise architecture, programme management, IT general knowledge, technical IT, legal environment) and four proficiency levels (background, awareness, knowledge, expert). G249 'Architecture Roles and Skills' (2024) is the newer role-oriented refresh.
- G198, Architecture Skills Framework (legacy); G249 Architecture Roles and Skills (2024)
- Series Guide G20F: Enabling Enterprise Agility
- A TOGAF Series Guide that describes how to keep the ADM effective in an agile enterprise. It covers lightweight iteration, just-enough documentation and faster stakeholder feedback without abandoning architectural rigour.
- G20F, Enabling Enterprise Agility
- Series Guide G21D: Government Reference Model
- A TOGAF Series Guide that provides a reference model for public-sector enterprise architecture. It sets out common government capabilities, information domains, and constraints that sit above any individual agency's architecture.
- G21D, Government Reference Model
- Series Guide G238: Information Architecture - Business Intelligence & Analytics
- A TOGAF Series Guide (2023) that describes how to design the information architecture that supports business intelligence and analytics. It covers analytics-friendly data structures, semantic layers, and the link from analytical requirements back into Phase C.
- G238, Information Architecture: Business Intelligence & Analytics
- Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA)
- An architecture style where business capabilities are exposed as reusable services that communicate through standard interfaces. SOA influenced modern microservice thinking but typically involved heavier infrastructure.
- SHACL
- Shapes Constraint Language. A W3C standard for validating RDF data against a set of constraints called shapes. In LTDS, SHACL shapes define the rules that every submission must pass: required fields, allowed values, cardinality limits and cross-object consistency checks.
- W3C SHACL Recommendation
- SLC25
- Standard Licence Condition 25 of the electricity distribution licence. The legal clause that requires each DNO to publish a Long Term Development Statement. Paragraphs 25.2 and 25.3 set out the specific publication obligations.
- Electricity Act 1989, section 6(1)(c)
- Smart Meter
- A digital electricity or gas meter that automatically sends usage readings to the energy supplier. It removes the need for manual readings and helps customers see how much energy they are using.
- Solution Architecture
- A detailed design for a specific project or initiative that sits within the wider enterprise architecture. It translates high-level requirements into a concrete technical blueprint.
- Solution Building Block (SBB)
- A building block that names a specific product, tool or technology. If an ABB says 'we need a database', the SBB says 'we will use PostgreSQL'.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Source of Truth
- The single recognised location where a particular piece of data is considered authoritative. All other copies should trace back to this source, and any conflict is resolved by checking it.
- Stakeholder
- Any person or group with an interest in the architecture. This includes executives who fund projects, users who rely on systems daily, and regulators who check compliance.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Stakeholder Concern
- A specific interest, requirement or worry that a stakeholder group brings to the architecture process. Concerns drive the choice of viewpoints and shape the content of architecture deliverables.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Stakeholder Management
- The process of identifying stakeholders, understanding their concerns and keeping them engaged throughout the architecture process. Good stakeholder management prevents surprises and builds trust.
- Stakeholder Map
- A visual representation that plots stakeholders by their level of influence and interest in the architecture work. It helps the architecture team decide who needs detailed engagement and who needs only periodic updates.
- Statement of Architecture Work
- A document produced in Phase A that defines the scope, approach, schedule and governance for the architecture engagement. It acts as a project charter for the architecture team.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Strategic Architecture
- A high-level, long-term view of the entire enterprise that guides investment decisions. It does not detail every system but shows the direction of travel over three to ten years.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Substation
- A facility that transforms electricity from one voltage to another. Primary substations step voltage down from 132 kV to 33 kV or 11 kV. Secondary substations step it down again to 230 V for household use.
- Supply Chain Risk
- The potential for a disruption, compromise or failure in any part of the chain of suppliers, vendors and partners that an enterprise depends on. Architecture work must assess supply chain dependencies, especially for critical infrastructure.
T
- Tailoring
- The deliberate adaptation of the TOGAF ADM and its outputs to suit an organisation's size, risk profile and pace of change. Good tailoring removes unnecessary ceremony while keeping the practices that actually prevent failure.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Target Architecture
- A description of the desired future state of the enterprise. It shows what the organisation's business, data, applications and technology should look like after transformation is complete.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Technical Corrigendum
- An official correction or clarification issued for a published standard. TOGAF Technical Corrigenda fix errors or ambiguities without changing the version number. They are mandatory and take effect immediately.
- The Open Group
- Technical Debt
- The accumulated cost of shortcuts, deferred maintenance and sub-optimal design decisions in a technology estate. Like financial debt, it grows over time and eventually forces the organisation to pay it down or accept increasing risk.
- Technology Radar
- A visual tool that classifies technologies into categories like 'adopt', 'trial', 'assess' and 'hold'. It helps organisations make informed decisions about which technologies to invest in.
- Threat Model
- A structured analysis of who might attack a system, what they would target, and how the architecture defends against those attacks. Threat modelling during Phase D prevents security being bolted on after the design is finished.
- TOGAF Library
- The full collection of publications associated with TOGAF 10, including the fundamental content, Series Guides, white papers and reference materials. The library is designed to grow over time without changing the core standard.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Transition Architecture
- An intermediate state between the current architecture and the final target. Large transformations are broken into several transition states so the organisation can change gradually.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Transition State
- A planned intermediate point between the current architecture and the final target. Each transition state is a stable, operational configuration that delivers incremental value while the organisation continues to change.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
V
- Value Stage
- A single step within a value stream where a measurable amount of value is created. Each value stage has a triggering event, participating stakeholders and one or more capabilities that enable the work.
- Value Stream
- The end-to-end set of activities that delivers a specific outcome to a customer or stakeholder. Unlike a process map, it focuses on where value is created rather than every task in between.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- View
- A representation of a system from a specific perspective. If a viewpoint is the camera angle, the view is the actual photograph taken from that angle.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Viewpoint
- A template that defines what a particular type of stakeholder needs to see. A viewpoint for a CTO looks very different from one for a network engineer, even if both describe the same system.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Viewpoint Library
- A managed collection of reusable viewpoint definitions that an organisation maintains as part of its architecture repository. It ensures consistent presentation of architecture information to different stakeholder groups.
W
- Waiver
- A formal exception granted when a project cannot fully comply with an architecture standard. The architecture board records the reason and any conditions attached to the exception.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
- Work Package
- A defined set of activities and deliverables that can be assigned to a project team. In the ADM, work packages are identified in Phase E and scheduled in Phase F.
- TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition
Z
- Zachman Framework
- One of the earliest enterprise architecture frameworks. It uses a grid of six questions (what, how, where, who, when, why) crossed with six audience levels to classify architecture descriptions.
- Zero Trust
- A security approach that assumes no user, device or network should be trusted by default, even if it is inside the corporate perimeter. Every access request is verified before it is granted.