One of the most powerful features of Visual Paradigm’s AI-enhanced TOGAF Guide-Through is how easily it turns your natural language descriptions into professional, TOGAF-compliant artifacts. Whether you need an ArchiMate diagram, radar chart, gap visualization, work breakdown structure, or migration timeline, the process is consistent, intuitive, and remarkably fast.
This step-by-step guide walks you through the exact workflow so you can start generating high-quality artifacts from day one — no matter which ADM phase you’re working on.
Step 1: Open the TOGAF Guide-Through in Visual Paradigm
Launch Visual Paradigm (desktop or online edition) and start a new project or open an existing one.
From the main menu or dashboard, select TOGAF Guide-Through to begin the guided ADM navigator. Choose your preferred ADM cycle (e.g., full TOGAF 10 or a customized variant) and proceed to the phase and activity you want to work on.
Step 2: Navigate to the Desired Activity
The Guide-Through presents the ADM phases as a clear, clickable process flow. Click through to the specific work item/activity where you need an artifact. Examples include:
- Preliminary Phase → Scope the Enterprise Organizations Impacted
- Phase A → Identify High Level Architecture Objectives
- Phase B → Develop Baseline Business Architecture
- Phase C → Develop Target Data Architecture
- Phase D → Develop Target Technology Architecture
- Phase E → Identify and Group Major Work Packages
Each activity clearly indicates when AI assistance is available (usually marked with an AI icon or “Generate with AI” button).
Step 3: Provide Your Description / Context
In the activity workspace, you’ll see a text input area labeled something like “Describe your problem / context / current state / desired outcome” (the exact wording varies slightly by activity).
Write a clear, natural-language description. You don’t need special formatting — just plain English works best. Include relevant details such as:
- Business goals or pain points
- Current state challenges
- Desired future outcomes
- Key constraints (time, budget, risk, compliance)
- Specific domains or scope (e.g., retail operations, global supply chain)
Good example (for Phase B Business Architecture):
“Current order fulfillment process is manual with multiple handoffs between sales, warehouse, and finance teams, leading to 5-day average delivery time and frequent errors. Target state: fully automated digital process with real-time inventory visibility, integrated CRM-ERP, 1-day delivery target, and 80% error reduction.”
Tip: Be specific but concise — 3–8 sentences usually give the best results. The more context you provide, the better the AI output.
Step 4: Click “Generate with AI”
Once your description is ready, click the prominent Generate with AI button (or similar trigger).
The AI processes your input in seconds and produces the relevant artifact(s):
- ArchiMate diagram (baseline, target, transition, solution concept, governance, etc.)
- Radar chart (maturity, business capability, IT capability)
- Gap visualization
- Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
- Transition timeline / migration roadmap
You’ll see a preview or loading indicator, then the artifact appears fully formed in the workspace.
Step 5: Review the Generated Artifact
The output opens automatically in Visual Paradigm’s powerful diagram editor (or chart view). At this stage:
- Check that the elements, relationships, and labels match your intent
- Verify compliance with ArchiMate notation and TOGAF guidelines
- Look for any missing or extra details
Everything is fully editable — this is your starting point, not the final version.
Step 6: Refine, Customize & Save
Use the editor to make adjustments:
- Drag, resize, or reposition elements
- Add, edit, or delete components
- Change colors, styles, or notations for clarity
- Add annotations, notes, or evidence links
- Connect to other artifacts in the project
When satisfied, save the artifact — it automatically links back to the Guide-Through activity and becomes part of your overall TOGAF deliverables.
Quick Tips for Best Results
- Be descriptive — more context usually means better output
- Iterate — if the first result isn’t perfect, refine your description and regenerate
- Use consistent terminology across phases for better continuity
- Start simple — you can always add complexity later
- Combine AI generation with your expertise — the best results come from human + AI collaboration
Ready to Start Generating Artifacts?
Now that you know the exact process, you’re ready to experience the speed and power of AI-assisted TOGAF modeling.
Download Visual Paradigm today and start your free trial — open the TOGAF Guide-Through, pick any activity, write a short description, and watch AI create your first professional artifact in seconds.
Turn your ideas into clear, standards-compliant architecture deliverables — faster and easier than ever before.