Framework Wars: TOGAF vs. The Rest

Greetings, weary architects of order!

This week, we enter the battlefield where frameworks clash and egos rise — a place where every methodology believes it alone can bring balance to the enterprise.
Welcome to Framework Wars — where TOGAF, Zachman, ITIL, and Agile all claim to be “the chosen one,” and the only real casualty is your weekend.

The Main Story: The Council of Frameworks

It began, as all tragedies do, with a workshop.
A dozen architects sat around a whiteboard, armed with post-its and hope. Someone asked:

What followed made Game of Thrones look like a polite book club.

• The TOGAF loyalists preached Architecture Development Method (ADM) like gospel.

• The Zachman fundamentalists drew grids until the markers ran dry.

• The Agilists refused to commit to anything longer than a sprint.

• The ITIL devotees asked for a change request form before speaking.

Three hours later, the whiteboard resembled a conspiracy wall, complete with arrows, circles, and the faint smell of existential despair.

TOGAF to the Rescue (Eventually)

In the chaos, TOGAF quietly cleared its throat and said:

Everyone blinked. Even the Scrum Master paused mid-post-it shuffle.
Because that’s the secret — TOGAF isn’t about choosing sides; it’s about creating the architecture capability to use any framework effectively.

Think of TOGAF as the Switzerland of frameworks: neutral, structured, and surprisingly effective at hosting others’ arguments.

Educational Twist: Framework Coexistence Tips

• Map strengths, not ownership. Use TOGAF to define where each framework fits in your capability model.

• Define integration points. Let Agile drive delivery, ITIL manage operations, and TOGAF connect the dots.

• Avoid framework fundamentalism. Remember, frameworks are tools — not religions.

• Start with purpose, not preference. Ask what the organization needs, not what the consultant loves.

Cartoon Prompt

Reader Engagement

Which side are you on — TOGAF, Agile, or “Whatever gets me out of this meeting”?
Vote in our LinkedIn poll and defend your framework honor. ⚔️

Next Week’s Tease

Episode 43: “The Case of the Missing Architecture Repository” — When documentation disappears faster than your project budget.