Enterprise architecture frameworks are often used as accelerators for navigating business change. They provide a “stepping off” point to guide how capabilities, processes and technology and other business and technology elements work together.
EA frameworks provide a common language, and often notations or iconography to describe systems and technologies.
Both the most popular frameworks and the way they are used has changed significantly in the last five to ten years. In 2024, experienced architects are just as likely to select a framework specific to the industry they are working in, or a cybersecurity framework, and add a chosen notation such as for cloud architecture deployment diagrams.
TOGAF, traditionally positioned as “one framework to rule them all”, still maintains its status as the most popular framework. But practically speaking, TOGAF usage has evolved. Architects often select the TOGAF concepts and artifacts most relevant to their project rather than adhering to the entire, extensive methodology.
Arguably this is the way frameworks should always be used.
The pie chart shown below highlight the growing need for tools which enable architects to select and customize a range of framework components based on their project requirements.

In this article we will discuss:
- What is an Enterprise Architecture Framework?
- Popular Enterprise Architecture Frameworks
- Combining Enterprise Architecture Frameworks
- Other Enterprise Architecture Frameworks
- Business Architecture Frameworks
- Benefits of Frameworks in Enterprise Architecture
- Frameworks available in ABACUS
What is an Enterprise Architecture Framework?
Frameworks are structured processes used to manage and align an organization’s IT infrastructure with its business goals and objectives. These frameworks provide guidelines, principles, and best practices for designing, implementing, and managing systems and processes within an enterprise.
Best Enterprise Architecture Frameworks
Enterprise architecture frameworks can be categorized into various groups or types; Developed by Industry Standards Bodies, Intended for Defense Use, Intended for Wider Government Use, Developed by Private Companies or Universities.

TOGAF®
TOGAF provides an end-to-end architecture manual and is developed and maintained by The Open Group. It is one of the most popular frameworks and is used by 100,000+ practitioners worldwide to design, plan and implement enterprise and solution architecture.
TOGAF offers a structured approach, using a set of guidelines, best practices, and resources to streamline the process of aligning business goals with IT strategy. By using TOGAF, organizations aim to achieve better integration, consistency, and efficiency in their architecture development efforts, ultimately leading to improved business outcomes.
TOGAF uses four architecture domains: Business, Data, Application, and Technology.
The TOGAF 10th edition includes the TOGAF Fundamental Content (provides core concepts and practices) and the TOGAF Series Guides (advice on configuration of the Fundamental Content).
ABACUS is certified for TOGAF and provides conformance with all the TOGAF Framework requirements.
Read More: TOGAF Certified Tool for Enterprise Architects

Image Source: Open Group
NIST CSF
The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) is developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology at the US Department of Commerce. It provides a set of guidelines for documenting and improving security risk management.
NIST provides best practices that are highly regarded around the world. While not mandatory for all organizations, many government bodies in the US are required to follow these guidelines, particularly when handling sensitive federal information. Following NIST recommendations demonstrates a commitment to strong cybersecurity practices, increasing trust with partners and clients who value data security.
The NIST framework is a valuable resource for businesses of all sizes. It helps organizations understand, manage, and reduce their cybersecurity risks. Because of this, NIST is widely used across government, healthcare, finance, and energy. Gartner estimate that up to 50% of organizations worldwide use the NIST framework.
NIST has also published an AI Risk Management Framework, a guide for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks throughout the entire AI lifecycle – from design and development to deployment and use.
Read More: NIST Templates for Architects

Image Source: NIST gov
Enterprise Architecture with ArchiMate
ArchiMate is an open standard modeling language specifically designed for enterprise architecture. Developed and maintained by The Open Group, it provides a standardized notation for describing, analyzing, and visualizing various aspects of an enterprise architecture. While not directly tied to a specific methodology, ArchiMate aligns well with frameworks like TOGAF, which offer broader guidance on EA development. This makes ArchiMate a versatile tool for enterprise architects, enabling them to visualize, analyze, and document architecture domains across the organization.
ArchiMate is used globally by banks, insurance companies, industry, EA consultants and universities. The ABACUS enterprise architecture tool is certified for ArchiMate
Read More: ArchiMate Certified Tool

Image source: The Open Group
Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN)
BPMN is a diagramming and flow chart method used widely by architects and other business users to describe and document process workflows. BPMN uses standard symbols to map out the steps in any business process. For instance:
- Start Event (Circle): indicates the beginning of a process
- End Event (Circle with thick border): signifies the completion of the process.
- Diamond: represents a decision point where the process flow can diverge based on certain conditions.

This visual modeling helps teams to understand and address any issues within the processes clearly and efficiently. Drag-and-drop BPMN modeling tools are used in most large organizations by process managers, analysts and architects. Process modeling is often an element of architecture strategy and planning. A process modeling environment which integrates properly with the enterprise architecture repository is desirable because it is convenient, efficient and fosters collaboration across teams.
In ABACUS, users have access to the BPMN 2.0 framework as both a reference library and a full sample architecture
Read More: Complete BPMN Modeling for Architects
Avolution Framework
The Avolution Framework leverages the strengths of industry standards like TOGAF, BPMN, and PEAF, creating a powerful “best-of-breed” solution.
This framework offers:
- Pre-built templates: plus built-in analytics for better decision-making.
- Unified Viewpoint: combines strengths from various frameworks, providing a comprehensive perspective of your enterprise architecture.
- Enhanced Collaboration: supports collaboration across teams
Combining Enterprise Architecture Frameworks
Architects often need to use features from more than one framework. This can be done by combining a number of frameworks or standards into a hybrid framework. In ABACUS, hybrid frameworks can be assembled quickly and easily through the user interface by pulling one framework into another and creating connections between multiple points.
An example of this is combining ArchiMate and BPMN. An architect can start with ArchiMate’s high-level view, then add more detailed process models from BPMN.
A security architecture focused team can employ the SABSA methodology to align security services with business goals plus add NIST to integrate cybersecurity controls.
Other Enterprise Architecture Frameworks
In addition to the frameworks mentioned above, there are others that were once widely discussed in the EA community which have become more niche:
Zachman Framework: is a foundational framework for understanding enterprise architecture concepts and can be a valuable starting point for building a comprehensive architecture practice.
FEAF (Federal Enterprise Architecture Framework): was specifically designed for the US Federal government and has less adoption outside that domain.
DoDAF: like FEAF, is designed for the US Department of Defense and not widely used in general enterprise architecture. DoDAF remains a significant standard within the Defence and related industries.
Business Architecture Frameworks
Business architecture frameworks provide a standard set of tools to assess business processes, IT infrastructure, and capabilities, and how they work together to provide value.
Popular business architecture frameworks include:
Business Model Canvas: focuses on the core components of a business such as value propositions, customer segments, and revenue streams. It’s often used for mapping out new ideas and visualizing how different elements of a business model interact.
Balanced Scorecard: is used to assess the measures that drive business performance, taking into account customer satisfaction, internal processes, and innovation.
The Business Architecture Body of Knowledge (BIZBOK): serves as a reference guide for business architecture professionals. It defines key concepts, methodologies and best practices.
PESTLE: is an acronym for Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, and Environmental factors. By analyzing these external forces and how they can impact the business, teams can anticipate potential risks and opportunities and adapt their strategies accordingly.
Benefits of Frameworks in Enterprise Architecture
Frameworks provide a structured approach to developing and managing an organization’s IT landscape, aligning it with business goals. This, in turn, unlocks a strong set of benefits:
Communication & Collaboration: Frameworks establish a common language and methods, enabling efficient communication across busy teams and different departments. Standard methods can also reduce the risk of misunderstandings.
Improved Agility: By providing a clear roadmap, frameworks support teams as they adapt to changing business needs and technologies
Kickstart Projects with Pre-built Assets: Frameworks often include valuable templates and pre-built assets, giving your team a solid head start on new projects.
Frameworks available in ABACUS
ABACUS is a leading enterprise architecture tool for modeling, roadmapping and cloud-based data management. It is designed for end-to-end enterprise architecture and supports modeling across all major architecture domains: business architecture, data, application, security, technology, and solution architecture.

ABACUS provides out-of-the-box support for 100+ frameworks and notations, including:
- Open standards such as TOGAF and ArchiMate
- BPMN (Business Process Modelling Notation)
- Security frameworks including SABSA and NIST
- Cloud architecture diagramming with AWS, Azure and GCP icons
- Plus; BIAN, Balanced Scorecard, Business Model Canvas, BIZBOK and PESTLE
At their best, frameworks hold valuable experience and wisdom, accumulated over time by the architecture community. By integrating these frameworks into your practice, you gain access to proven methods and strategies, enabling you to build a robust enterprise architecture.