TOGAF, ArchiMate, Zachman, IT4IT, FEAF and DoDAF — what each one is actually for, when to reach for it, and where EAOT turns them into working artefacts.
The Open Group Architecture Framework
The most widely adopted EA method. Its Architecture Development Method (ADM) walks from vision through business, information systems and technology architecture to migration planning and governance.
Best for: Running an end-to-end architecture programme
Practice the ADMArchiMate 3.2 Modelling Language
The Open Group's modelling notation covering motivation, strategy, business, application, technology and implementation layers with a standard relationship vocabulary.
Best for: Visualising layered enterprise models
Generate a model by promptZachman Framework
A 6×6 taxonomy crossing stakeholder perspectives (planner to user) with interrogatives (what, how, where, who, when, why). Not a method — a completeness check for your artefact set.
Best for: Ensuring complete architectural coverage
IT4IT Reference Architecture
A value-stream reference architecture for IT management: Strategy to Portfolio, Requirement to Deploy, Request to Fulfil, and Detect to Correct — with a prescriptive data model.
Best for: Managing the business of IT
Federal Enterprise Architecture Framework
The US federal reference model set — performance, business, service, data and technical reference models — designed for cross-agency alignment and investment control.
Best for: Public-sector and regulated architecture
DoD Architecture Framework
Viewpoint-driven framework for defence and complex systems: capability, operational, systems and services viewpoints with strict fit-for-purpose view construction.
Best for: Mission and capability architecture
Start with TOGAF for method, ArchiMate for notation, Zachman for coverage. Add IT4IT when the IT operating model itself is the problem.
TOGAF's ADM tells you what to produce; ArchiMate tells you how to draw it; Zachman tells you what you've missed. They compose — they don't compete.
Frameworks only matter when they produce decisions. Generate capability maps, layered models and roadmaps in the EAOT workspaces.
Generate an ArchiMate model from a prompt, practice the TOGAF ADM hands-on, or read the long-form guides on the blog.