Phase B of the TOGAF ADM focuses on the Business Architecture — establishing a clear understanding of how the organization currently operates (the Baseline) and defining how it needs to operate in the future (the Target) to achieve strategic goals.
Developing these models involves mapping out business processes, organization structures, functions, information flows, products/services, and their relationships — typically using ArchiMate as the modeling language. Manually creating accurate Baseline and Target models requires extensive stakeholder input, documentation review, workshops, and detailed diagramming, which can take weeks and still leave room for inconsistencies.
Visual Paradigm’s AI-powered TOGAF Guide-Through revolutionizes this core Phase B activity: AI generates complete, professional Baseline and Target Business Architecture models in ArchiMate format directly from your natural language description — giving you high-quality, editable starting points almost instantly.
Why Baseline and Target Business Models Are Critical in Phase B
These models serve as the foundation for the entire architecture transformation:
- The Baseline shows the current “as-is” state — revealing how the business really works today.
- The Target defines the desired “to-be” state — aligned with the Architecture Vision from Phase A and business strategy.
- Together, they enable gap analysis (later in Phase B) to identify what must change.
- They ensure the architecture remains business-driven, not technology-led.
- Clear models improve stakeholder understanding and buy-in for the transformation.
TOGAF strongly recommends using ArchiMate to model business architecture, with elements like Business Actors, Roles, Processes, Functions, Services, Products, and Organization Units to represent the enterprise comprehensively.
How AI Generates Baseline & Target Business Models in Visual Paradigm
In the TOGAF Guide-Through, navigate to the Phase B activities: Develop Baseline Business Architecture and Develop Target Business Architecture. The AI process is designed for speed and accuracy:
- Describe the Current & Desired State
Provide a clear, natural language summary of the current business operations and the future vision. You can enter one description covering both or separate inputs.
Example: “Currently, our order fulfillment process is manual, involves multiple departments with email handoffs, average 5-day turnaround, high error rate. Target state: automated end-to-end digital process with real-time tracking, integrated CRM and ERP, 1-day turnaround, reduced errors by 80%.” - AI Builds the Models
The AI analyzes your input against TOGAF and ArchiMate standards, identifying relevant business elements, processes, actors, relationships, and flows. It generates two separate but related models:
– Baseline Business Architecture (current state)
– Target Business Architecture (future state) - Instant ArchiMate Diagrams
AI produces clean, well-structured ArchiMate diagrams for both models. They include appropriate elements (e.g., Business Processes, Services, Actors, Organization Units) and relationships (e.g., realization, triggering, assignment), with logical layouts for readability.
Both diagrams open directly in Visual Paradigm’s powerful editor, allowing you to:
- Refine elements, add details, or adjust relationships
- Apply consistent color schemes or notations
- Link models to Phase A deliverables (e.g., Solution Concept or capability charts)
- Collaborate with team members in real time
Benefits of AI-Assisted Business Architecture Modeling
- Speed: Move from description to professional ArchiMate models in seconds instead of weeks of manual work.
- Accuracy & Consistency: AI ensures models follow TOGAF best practices and ArchiMate notation, reducing errors and inconsistencies.
- Business-Focused: Outputs stay grounded in business language and needs — not jumping ahead to technology.
- Foundation for Gap Analysis: Clean Baseline and Target models make the next step (gap visualization) much easier and more reliable.
- Stakeholder-Friendly: Well-organized diagrams help business leaders understand current pain points and future improvements quickly.
This AI capability makes Phase B feel approachable and strategic rather than overwhelming — helping architects deliver high-quality business architecture that truly drives the transformation.
Ready to Model Your Business Architecture the Smart Way?
Experience how AI turns your business description into ready-to-use Baseline and Target ArchiMate models instantly.
Download Visual Paradigm today and start your free trial — describe your current and target business operations in the Guide-Through and let AI generate your professional Business Architecture models in moments.
Build a stronger, clearer foundation for your enterprise transformation — faster than ever.