Enterprise Continuum

The TOGAF Enterprise Continuum is a conceptual framework that provides a way to categorize and organize various architectures and solutions within an enterprise. It serves as a bridge between the architecture development process and the actual implementations that occur in the organization.

The Enterprise Continuum consists of two main components:

1. Architecture Continuum: This represents a categorization of architecture models, ranging from high-level, abstract architectures to detailed, specific architectures. It includes various levels of architecture, which can be thought of as different perspectives on how the architectures fit within the enterprise context. The levels include:

1. Foundation Architectures
2. Common Systems Architectures
3. Industry Architectures
4. Organization-Specific Architectures

2. Solution Continuum: This complements the Architecture Continuum by representing the solutions that are derived from the architectural models. It captures the specific implementations that evolve from the generic architectures. The levels in the Solution Continuum include:

1. Foundation Solutions
2. Common Systems Solutions
3. Industry Solutions
4. Organization-Specific Solutions

The Enterprise Continuum encourages the reuse of architecture and solutions and promotes a more integrated approach to enterprise architecture. It helps organizations to understand the relationship between different architectures and their implementations, ensuring that they align with the overall business strategy and goals.