Phase C of the TOGAF ADM (Information Systems Architectures) covers both Data and Application Architectures. While data models define what information is managed, Application Architecture focuses on the software systems that process, deliver, and support that information — the applications, their functions, interactions, and integration patterns that enable business processes.
In this phase, architects develop Baseline (current) and Target (future) Application Architecture models, then perform gap analysis to identify what needs to change, retire, replace, or be newly developed. Manually modeling complex application landscapes — with dozens or hundreds of systems, interfaces, and dependencies — is one of the most time-intensive and error-prone parts of the ADM.
Visual Paradigm’s AI-powered TOGAF Guide-Through dramatically simplifies both modeling and gap analysis: AI generates professional Baseline and Target Application Architecture models in ArchiMate, then automatically produces a clear visualization of the application domain gaps — turning a multi-week effort into minutes of guided work.
Why Application Architecture & Gap Analysis Are Critical in Phase C
Effective Application Architecture delivers:
- A clear picture of current applications supporting (or constraining) the business
- A defined target application portfolio aligned with the Architecture Vision and business capabilities
- Identification of redundancies, obsolete systems, missing integrations, or modernization opportunities
- A foundation for rationalizing the application landscape and planning transitions
- Clear communication to stakeholders about the scale and nature of required application changes
TOGAF recommends using ArchiMate to model Application Components, Interfaces, Services, and their relationships to business and data elements — with gap analysis visualized to highlight deltas between baseline and target states.
How AI Generates Application Models & Gap Analysis in Visual Paradigm
In the TOGAF Guide-Through, navigate to the Phase C activities: Develop Baseline Application Architecture, Develop Target Application Architecture, and Perform Gap Analysis (Application Domain). The AI workflow is seamless and builds progressively:
- Describe Your Application Landscape
Provide a natural language summary of the current and desired application environment.
Example: “Currently we run separate legacy CRM, ERP, and e-commerce platforms with point-to-point integrations, frequent manual data entry, and limited mobile support. Target state: modern, cloud-based integrated suite with microservices, API-first approach, real-time data sharing, mobile-first customer experience, and support for AI-driven personalization.” - AI Builds Baseline & Target Models
The AI identifies key Application Components, Services, Interfaces, and dependencies, then generates two structured ArchiMate models:
– Baseline Application Architecture (current systems and interactions)
– Target Application Architecture (future systems, rationalized portfolio, new integrations) - Instant ArchiMate Application Diagrams
AI creates clean, logically organized diagrams for both states, using appropriate ArchiMate elements (Application Components, Interfaces, Services, Realizations, etc.) and relationships, with clear labeling and layout. - Automatic Application Domain Gap Visualization
AI compares the two models and generates a dedicated gap diagram that highlights:
– Systems to retire or replace
– New applications or services required
– Integration gaps or changes needed
– Redundant or overlapping components
Visualization uses color coding, annotations, or dedicated gap elements for instant readability.
All diagrams open directly in Visual Paradigm’s editor, where you can refine, annotate, color-code, link to data or business models, and collaborate in real time.
Benefits of AI-Assisted Application Architecture & Gap Analysis
- Speed: From description to complete models + gap visualization in seconds — bypassing weeks of manual diagramming.
- Accuracy & Completeness: AI systematically maps components and relationships, catching hidden dependencies or redundancies.
- Visual Clarity: Gap diagrams make the scale and specifics of change immediately understandable to both technical and business audiences.
- Strategic Insight: Quickly see modernization priorities, cost-saving opportunities, and risks.
- Consistency: All outputs adhere to TOGAF guidelines and ArchiMate 3 notation, ensuring audit-ready quality.
This AI capability turns one of the most complex and visual-heavy parts of Phase C into a fast, reliable, and highly collaborative step — empowering architects to focus on strategy rather than repetitive modeling.
Ready to Transform Your Application Landscape?
Experience how AI brings clarity and speed to Application Architecture modeling and gap analysis.
Download Visual Paradigm today and start your free trial — describe your current and target application environment in the Guide-Through and let AI generate your Baseline, Target, and Gap Visualization models in moments.
Move from complex application sprawl to a clear, modern, and aligned portfolio — faster than ever before.