An Enterprise Architecture Capability is the ability of the organization to perform effective and efficient architecture work, including the definition, governance, and management of its architectures2. The Preliminary Phase involves the following activities1:

•Reviewing the organizational context, scope, and drivers for conducting Enterprise Architecture

•Establishing the Architecture Capability desired by the organization, including the maturity level, roles, responsibilities, processes, and tools

•Defining and establishing the Organizational Model for Enterprise Architecture, which describes how the architecture function is organized and integrated within the enterprise

•Defining and establishing the Architecture Governance framework, which provides the mechanisms for ensuring the quality, consistency, and compliance of the architecture work

•Selecting and implementing the tools that support the Architecture Capability, such as repositories, modeling tools, and communication tools

•Defining the Architecture Principles that will guide and constrain the architecture work, based on the business principles, goals, and drivers of the organization

•Defining the Organization-Specific Architecture Framework, which is an adaptation of the generic TOGAF ADM to suit the specific requirements, standards, and practices of the organization

The Preliminary Phase is essential for preparing the organization for the successful development and implementation of its architectures, as well as for ensuring the alignment of the architecture work with the business strategy and objectives1.