ESA and TOGAF self-study option
The
TOGAF and ESA certification courses are compatible and overlap to a degree, but
have different aims.
Contents
How
to self-study for TOGAF (perhaps after ESA training)
TOGAF
is not a training course in architecting. It is a management framework for
programs/projects that involve architects.
TOGAF
is not TOGEAF. It is intended to support architecture work at any level from
enterprise, through segment, to solution.
TOGAF
is not prescriptive. You are expected to tailor it. It is a menu of processes
and products you select from to help complete a substantial change to some
business activity system(s).
TOGAF
does not finish with the completion of an architecture definition, it goes on
to address the role architects may play in planning and governance of system
development and steering subsequent change requests.
TOGAF
is not written by The Open Group. And since it is crowd-sourced from members of
The Open Group, you will find inconsistencies and incoherencies.
Having
a TOGAF certificate does not get you a job. It might help you to get an
interview for one, since recruiters often use it as a very crude filter to weed
out time wasters.
The
exam tests what you know of TOGAF, not your experience.
I
find the course runs pretty smoothly, people get something out of it and pass
the exams. Still, our ESA courses are better!
For
a management framework - a transformation process that promotes the role of
architects – choose TOGAF.
For
more concrete guidance on architecture principles, processes, products and patterns –
choose ESA.
Feedback from a customer who attended
training courses in TOGAF, the Zachman Framework - and then our ESA training.
·
“The ESA course covers the key length and breadth of solution and
enterprise architecture concepts from foundation to advanced.
·
It elaborates progressively, making it easier to comprehend architecture
frameworks and methods.
·
It suits both novices wanting progress their career and experienced
professionals wanting to strengthen their skills and apply their knowledge
across the architecture domains.”
For dates and prices, go to the Training
Calendar at http://avancier.website.
For other advice, call Graham Berrisford on
020 8949 8077, or mobile 07711 884412.
TOGAF® and ArchiMate® are registered trademarks
of The Open Group.
|
Avancier’s
TOGAF training TOGAF is
primarily a management framework For those working
to design and plan changes to business systems. Avancier’s TOGAF course covers all the
“learning outcomes” examiners can test. TOGAF being more abstract
than ESA, it is better suited to a non-technical audience. Avancier’s 2 day
TOGAF course is an optional extra in the self-study programme below. Avancier’s 4
day TOGAF course is available on
request as a private course. |
Avancier’s
ESA training This broader and
deeper course teaches you about architecture itself. It teaches you
principles, processes, products and patterns that architects use. The course fees
and days include exams for the
professional certificates. The material
being more concrete, it is better suited to software and IT architects. See the Training Calendar for ESA
course variations. |
|
Focus of training TOGAF
training focuses on the Architecture Development Method (ADM). This
is a management framework for planning a substantial transformational
change to business systems. Our 4 day course includes case study work featuring TOGAF artefacts. |
Focus of training ESA
training focuses on enterprise and solution architect knowledge and skills. It
introduces the broad sweep of architecture terms and concepts. It
outlines architecture frameworks and includes practical exercises. |
|
Examinations for TOGAF certificates TOGAF
certification training courses prepare you for two multiple choice
examinations; 1. 40 questions about TOGAF terms and concepts 2. 8 questions applying TOGAF concepts to short
practical scenarios. You can re-attend a training course with no
additional training fee. You book and pay for the examination after the
course in a Pearson Vue centre. See guidance below. |
Examinations for ESA certificates ESA
certification training courses lead to and include two multiple choice
examinations; 1. 40 questions about architecture terms and concepts 2. 40 questions applying those concepts to a case
study. You can re-attend a training course with no
additional training fee. The ESA examinations are included in the course. |
Yes,
and you have a good chance of passing.
The following guidance is distilled and adapted from that offered
by Markus Freimuth here How to Pass the TOGAF Exams
– Level 1 and Level 2
If you can allocate 1 or 2 hours per day, you might need to study for some weeks before the exam.
Here are five websites and documents that help.
·
A large amount of good test
questions
·
A set of test exams for both levels
·
Official test question pack from TOGAF website
(0.99$)
·
TOGAF Study Guide (59.99$)
Step 1 – Read the TOGAF study guide as
thoroughly as you can.
The study guide is half the length of the
full standard.
It includes some test questions for both exam
levels.
Step 2 - Attend Avancier’s
ESA course (weekday or weekend)
This will give you a better feel for what
TOGAF is talking about.
Step3 - Go through test questions you can
find on the Internet.
Try to assess whether the questions are
realistic or not.
Some websites purport to provide real test questions, but their questions are too obscure.
Do one or two test exams, for example on this website to get a feeling for the level of detail that
is required.
Step 4 – Attend Avancier’s
weekend TOGAF course (optional)
This tutorial will give you a deeper insight into
TOGAF and its examinable “learning outcomes”.
It is not essential to the plan here.
Step 5 - Do all the well-formed test exams
that you can find
You can get practice exams from sources such
as:
· Test Questions purchased from TOGAF
website (the packs
cost 0.99$ - worth the price)
Write down the topic and look up the chapter
in the full TOGAF standard.
The Study Guide answers 80-90% of all
questions, but some questions cannot be answered without looking at the full
standard.
Step 6 - Book and sit the exam at a Pearson
Vue centre
If you feel confident with 90% of the
questions behind the links in this article, you are more than prepared for
passing the exam.
Check
procedures at http://www.pearsonvue.com/theopengroup/
Check
prices http://certification.opengroup.org/examinations/exam-fees.
About the TOGAF exams.
There are two levels: Level 1 “foundation” and level 2
“certified”.
They can be either taken separately or as
“combined” exam, which is recommended.
The passing grade is 55%, which translates to
22 correct answers.
Questions require you to know the specific
terms and concepts in the TOGAF standard.
You need to learn these by heart and do many
realistic test questions upfront.
·
the best answer gives you 5 points,
·
the second best gives you 3 points,
·
the third best answer gives you 1 point, and
·
the worst answer gives 0 points.
You need at least 60% to pass, which are 24
out of 40 points.
The questions are very different from level 1
questions.
A question is usually about one page - half
the page is a scenario – the other half is a question and four possible answer.
Apply common sense - and choose the answer
that fits what you know of what TOGAF recommends.