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Business Architecture Checklist

Quick reference for TOGAF Phase B deliverables.

Phase Entry Criteria

  • Architecture Vision approved (Phase A complete)
  • Statement of Architecture Work signed
  • Business goals and drivers documented
  • Key stakeholders identified
  • Baseline architecture available (or scope for greenfield)

Capability Model Checklist

Level 0 (Enterprise)

  • All strategic capabilities identified
  • All core capabilities identified
  • All supporting capabilities identified
  • Capabilities categorized correctly

Level 1-2 (Decomposition)

  • Each L0 capability decomposed to L1
  • Critical L1 capabilities decomposed to L2
  • No orphan capabilities
  • No duplicate capabilities

Capability Attributes

  • Unique ID assigned (CAP-nnn)
  • Clear description (what, not how)
  • Business outcome defined
  • Owner assigned
  • Maturity assessed (1-5)
  • Strategic importance rated

Capability Mapping

  • Mapped to supporting applications
  • Mapped to owning organization units
  • Mapped to value streams (where used)

Value Stream Checklist

Structure

  • Clear trigger event defined
  • All stages identified (typically 4-8)
  • Value proposition stated
  • Customer segment identified
  • End-to-end flow documented

Stage Details

For each stage:

  • Entry criteria defined
  • Exit criteria defined
  • Participating stakeholders listed
  • Required capabilities identified
  • Cycle time estimated
  • Value-adding status determined (Yes/No)

Metrics

  • Total cycle time calculated
  • Value-add ratio calculated
  • Current vs target documented
  • Pain points captured
  • Improvement opportunities listed

Process Model Checklist

Process Definition

  • Unique process ID (BP-nnn)
  • Clear purpose statement
  • Trigger event defined
  • Frequency documented
  • Inputs listed
  • Outputs listed

Process Flow

  • Start event marked
  • End event(s) marked
  • All steps defined
  • Decision points (gateways) shown
  • Swim lanes for actors (if cross-functional)

Step Details

For each step:

  • Actor/role assigned
  • Action described
  • Supporting system identified
  • Input defined
  • Output defined
  • Business rules documented
  • Exception handling noted

Process Governance

  • RACI matrix completed
  • Process owner assigned
  • Metrics defined
  • SLAs documented (if applicable)

Organization Mapping Checklist

Structure

  • Organization hierarchy documented
  • Reporting lines clear
  • Department/unit boundaries defined
  • FTE counts noted (where relevant)

Role Definitions

For key roles:

  • Department assignment
  • Reporting relationship
  • Key responsibilities listed
  • Capabilities supported mapped
  • Required skills identified

Capability-Organization Matrix

  • Primary owner for each capability
  • Contributing units identified
  • Gaps highlighted (no owner)
  • Overlaps flagged (multiple owners)

Gap Analysis Checklist

Gap Identification

  • All baseline elements documented
  • All target elements documented
  • Gaps categorized (Capability/Process/Organization)
  • Each gap has unique ID (G-nnn)

Gap Assessment

For each gap:

  • Current state described
  • Target state described
  • Business impact documented
  • Priority assigned (Critical/High/Medium/Low)
  • Resolution approach outlined
  • Dependencies identified
  • Effort estimated (S/M/L/XL)

Gap Summary

  • Total gaps counted by category
  • Priority distribution reviewed
  • Critical gaps have sponsors
  • No orphan gaps (all addressed in roadmap)

Roadmap Checklist

Work Packages

For each work package:

  • Unique ID (WP-B-nnn)
  • Clear description
  • Business outcome stated
  • Gaps addressed listed
  • Scope defined (in/out)
  • Dependencies documented
  • Estimates provided (duration, effort, cost)
  • Risks identified with mitigations

Sequencing

  • Dependencies drive sequence
  • Quick wins identified
  • Critical path clear
  • Resource constraints considered
  • No circular dependencies

Stakeholder Review Checklist

Documentation

  • Capability map visual ready
  • Value stream diagrams ready
  • Process models ready
  • Organization map ready
  • Gap analysis summary ready
  • Roadmap visual ready

Validation

  • Capabilities reflect business reality
  • Value streams match customer experience
  • Processes match actual operations
  • Organization structure is current
  • Gaps are real and prioritized correctly
  • Roadmap is achievable

Sign-off

  • Business sponsors reviewed
  • Domain SMEs validated
  • Feedback incorporated
  • Architecture Board approved
  • Proceed to Phase C authorized

Quality Scoring Matrix

Dimension Poor (1) Adequate (3) Good (5)
Completeness Major gaps in coverage Most areas covered Comprehensive coverage
Accuracy Significant errors Minor inaccuracies Verified with SMEs
Clarity Hard to understand Understandable Clear to all stakeholders
Alignment Weak link to strategy Some strategic alignment Direct strategic mapping
Actionability Vague next steps General direction Clear work packages

Target: Average score ≥ 4 across all dimensions

Common Issues

Issue Symptom Resolution
Too granular 200+ capabilities at L2 Roll up to higher levels
Too abstract Capabilities = "Do stuff" Add specific outcomes
Missing owners "TBD" everywhere Escalate for assignment
No metrics Maturity all "3" Use defined criteria
Orphan elements Capabilities not in value streams Map or remove
Analysis paralysis Months in Phase B Timeboxed iterations

Phase Exit Criteria

  • Business Architecture artifacts complete
  • Stakeholder concerns addressed
  • Gap analysis complete with priorities
  • Roadmap components defined
  • Architecture Board approval obtained
  • Phase C scope confirmed
  • Updated Architecture Repository