TOGAF 10 Part 12: Reference Models (TRM & III-RM)

Master the TOGAF Reference Models. Learn about the Technical Reference Model (TRM) and the Integrated Information Infrastructure Reference Model.

Part 12: TOGAF Reference Models

Leveraging Industry-Standard Foundations for Custom Architectures

1. Technical Reference Model (TRM)

The TRM is a "Foundation Architecture" that provides a model of a generic platform and its taxonomy. It helps architects define the technical infrastructure components needed for an organization.

Taxonomy

A categorized list of technical services and their definitions.

Service Categories

Includes categories like Data Management, Operating Systems, and Security Services.

2. Integrated Information Infrastructure Reference Model (III-RM)

The III-RM is a "Common Systems Architecture" that focuses on the Application and Data domains. Its primary goal is to enable Boundaryless Information Flow.

Model Component	Focus & Description
Business Applications	Specific apps that deliver business value to users.
Infrastructure Apps	Technical apps that support business apps (e.g., Email, Security).
Brokerage	The "middle" layer that manages information exchange across the enterprise.

3. Critical Differences for the Exam

TRM is the most generic (Foundation) and focuses on the platform infrastructure.
III-RM is more specific (Common Systems) and focuses on software application integration and data flow.
Both are used to help architects populate the Reference Library within the Architecture Repository.

🧠 Practice Scenario: Selecting a Model

Question: Your organization struggles with "Data Silos" where information cannot be shared between the Sales and Finance departments. Which TOGAF reference model provides the best starting point to address this?

III-RM (Integrated Information Infrastructure Reference Model). The III-RM is specifically designed to address the need for Boundaryless Information Flow, providing a blueprint for integrating applications and data across organizational boundaries.

Categories: : Architecture, Enterprise Architecture, TOGAF 10