OGA-031 ArchiMate 3 Part 1 Examination Questions and Answers

According to the physical elements metamodel, a facility is a specialization of a node, which is an active structure element that represents a computational or physical resource that hosts, manipulates, or interacts with other computational or physical resources. A facility can be used to model physical buildings or locations.

References: Physical Layer: Part 1 - Metamodel1; ArchiMate® 3.0.1 Specification, Chapter 9: Physical Elements2.

Comprehensive and Detailed in Depth Explanation:AnApplication Interfacein ArchiMate represents apoint of accesswhere anApplication Serviceisexposed to users or other applications.

Application Interfaces define howusers or other software components interactwith anApplication Service. This is clearly defined in theArchiMate 3.2 Specification, which states that anApplication Interface provides access to an Application Service.

References:

Archi User Guide​

ArchiMate 3.2 Specification

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth Explanation:

ThisArchiMate Implementation & Migration Layer diagramrepresentsan architecture evolution model, specifically showingtwo plateaus (X and Y) with a Gap (Z) in between them.

Plateausin ArchiMate representstates of an enterprise architectureat different points in time.

Gapsrepresentthe difference or missing elements between two architectural states, indicating what needs to change.

Thecircle with lines (Z) represents a Gap, which identifies what is missing or needs to be addressed when transitioning from Plateau X to Plateau Y.

Analysis of Answer Choices:

✅A. Two plateaus (X and Y) with a transition architecture (Z).→❌Incorrect

A transition architecture is different from a gap.

ATransition Architecture provides an intermediate step between two plateaus, whereasthis diagram is identifying a Gapbetween them.

ArchiMate 3.2 Specification, Section 7.4.3, definesGaps as structural differences, not transition states.

✅B. A gap (Z) associated with two plateaus (X and Y).→✅Correct Answer

The circle with lines (Z) is the correct representation of a Gap in ArchiMate.

Plateau X represents the "Before" state, andPlateau Y represents the "Target" state.

Z (Gap) represents what is missing or what must be addressed to move from X to Y.

ArchiMate 3.2 Specification, Section 7.4.3, states thatGaps are used in architecture migration to analyze missing capabilities or elements.

✅C. A deliverable (Z) exchanged between two projects (X and Y).→❌Incorrect

A deliverable is typically represented as a document or artifactin ArchiMate, not as a Gap.

Z represents a missing element between states, not an exchanged deliverable.

✅D. Two nodes (X and Y) connected by a communication path (Z).→❌Incorrect

Nodes and Communication Paths belong to the Technology Layer, but this diagram represents theImplementation & Migration Layer.

X and Y are plateaus, not technology nodes.

Final Answer:✅B. A gap (Z) associated with two plateaus (X and Y).

References:

ArchiMate 3.2 Specification: Sections 7.4.1 (Plateau) and 7.4.3 (Gap).

Archi User Guide: Modeling architecture migration using Gaps and Plateaus.

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth Explanation:

ThisArchiMate Business Layer diagramrepresentsa sequence of business processes triggered by a business event.

"Claim Filed" is a Business Event, which means it represents anexternal occurrence that initiates a process.

"Accept Claim" is a Business Process, meaning it is a structured activity that follows the event.

"Assign Claim" is another Business Process, which follows after the "Accept Claim" process.

A Customer Service Representative role is assigned to the "Accept Claim" process, but the focus of the diagram is the event-driven flow of processes.

Analysis of Answer Choices:

✅A. The Claim Filed event assigns the Customer Service Representative to participate in the Accept Claim and Assign Claim processing.→❌Incorrect

TheCustomer Service Representative role is involved only in the "Accept Claim" process, but the diagram does not indicate their role in "Assign Claim."

ArchiMate 3.2 Specification, Section 6.3.2, states thatBusiness Events trigger processes but do not assign roles.

✅B. The event Claim Filed triggers the Accept Claim process which is serviced by the Customer Service Representative role before the Assign Claim process.→❌Incorrect

WhileClaim Filed triggers Accept Claim, thefocus of the diagram is on process flow, not role assignments.

The key relationship is between the business processes, not the role.

✅C. The information that flows from Claim Filed to Accept Claim and then to Assign Claim is reviewed by the Customer Service Representative role.→❌Incorrect

TheCustomer Service Representative role is assigned to "Accept Claim," but there is no indication they review information across all steps.

The diagramshows process flow, not an explicit review process.

✅D. Business event Claim Filed triggers a business process Accept Claim which in turn triggers an Assign Claim process.→✅Correct Answer

"Claim Filed" (Business Event) triggers "Accept Claim" (Business Process), which then triggers "Assign Claim" (Business Process).

ArchiMate 3.2 Specification, Section 6.3.1, states thatBusiness Events initiate Business Processes, and processes can trigger subsequent processes.

This matches the flow depicted in the diagram.

Final Answer:✅D. Business event Claim Filed triggers a business process Accept Claim which in turn triggers an Assign Claim process.

References:

ArchiMate 3.2 Specification: Sections 6.3.1 (Business Processes) and 6.3.2 (Business Events).

Archi User Guide: Modeling event-driven process flows in business architecture.

Comprehensive and Detailed in Depth Explanation:TheCourse of Actionelement representswhat an enterprise has decided to doin order to achieve a strategic objective. Itdefines high-level actions and strategiesthat guidebusiness capabilities and activities.

TheArchiMate 3.2 Specificationstates thatCourses of Action define the high-level choices and strategic actions taken by an organization.

References:

Archi User Guide​

ArchiMate 3.2 Specification

Comprehensive and Detailed in Depth Explanation:TheArchiMate frameworkconsists ofthree core layers:

Business Layer: Represents business processes, services, roles, and actors.

Application Layer: Describes software applications and their interactions.

Technology Layer: Represents infrastructure elements like servers, networks, and storage.

TheArchiMate 3.2 Specificationdefines thesethree core layersas the primary structure ofEnterprise Architecture modeling.

References:

Archi User Guide​

ArchiMate 3.2 Specification

Based on the ArchiMate 3 documents or objectives, a communication network represents a set of structures that connects devices or system software for transmission, routing, and reception of data. A path models the relation between two or more technology internal active structure elements, through which these can exchange information. The diagram uses a flow relationship to indicate that data flows from server B to communication network E, then through path F to communication network I. The notation for a flow relationship is a dashed line with an open arrowhead at the end that points to the direction of the flow.

References: ArchiMate® 3.2 Specification, Chapter 11 Technology Layer, Section 11.2 Active Structure Elements 1; ArchiMate® 3.2 Specification, Chapter 5 Relationships, Section 5.4 Dynamic Relationships 1; ArchiMate communication network 2.

Comprehensive and Detailed in Depth Explanation:ADistribution Networkis aphysical elementthat represents acollection of structuresthat transport physical materials, goods, or energy.

APath, in ArchiMate, represents aroute or connection between two or more locations or elements. Since aDistribution Networkenablesmovement along a defined route, itrealizes a Path.

This relationship is explicitly defined in theArchiMate 3.2 Specification, whereDistribution Networkelementsrealize Paths.

References:

Archi User Guide​

ArchiMate 3.2 Specification

According to the ArchiMate® 3.2 Specification1, a capability represents an ability that an active structure element, such as an organization, person, or system, possesses. Capabilities are typically aimed at achieving some goal or delivering value by realizing an outcome1. Therefore, the correct answer is D. To represent the ability that an active structure element possesses.

Based on the ArchiMate 3 documents or objectives, the ArchiMate standard provides a set of entities and relationships for representing Architecture Description. Architecture Description is a work product used to express an architecture for a system-of-interest. The ArchiMate language is an open and independent modeling language for Enterprise Architecture that is supported by different tool vendors and consulting firms.

References: The ArchiMate® Enterprise Architecture Modeling Language | The Open Group Website 1; ArchiMate® 3.2 Specification, Chapter 1 Introduction, Section 1.1 Objective 2.

Based on the ArchiMate 3 documents or objectives, an application component represents a modular, deployable, and replaceable part of a software system that encapsulates its behavior and data. An application service represents an explicitly defined exposed application behavior. A data object represents data structured for automated processing. A realization relationship indicates that an entity plays a critical role in the creation, achievement, sustenance, or operation of a more abstract entity. An access relationship models the ability of behavior and active structure elements to observe or act upon passive structure elements. The diagram uses a realization relationship from the MEDINFO application component to the Medical Information service to indicate that the application component realizes the service. The diagram also uses an access relationship from the MEDINFO application component to the MEDBASE data object to indicate that the application component accesses the data object.

References: ArchiMate® 3.2 Specification, Chapter 10 Application Layer, Section 10.1 Active Structure Elements 1; ArchiMate® 3.2 Specification, Chapter 10 Application Layer, Section 10.3 Behavior Elements 1; ArchiMate® 3.2 Specification, Chapter 5 Relationships, Section 5.1 Structural Relationships 1; ArchiMate® 3.2 Specification, Chapter 5 Relationships, Section 5.3 Access Relationships 1; ArchiMate Example: Application Components - Visual Paradigm 2.

Comprehensive and Detailed in Depth Explanation:ABusiness Interfaceis an external active structure element that provides an external point of access to one or more Business Services. In theBusiness Layer metamodel, aBusiness Serviceis assigned to aBusiness Interfacebecause interfaces define how services are exposed to external parties or other components within an enterprise.

This is confirmed in theArchiMate Specification 3.2, where aBusiness Interfaceis described as representing a point of interaction that enables access toBusiness Services.

References:

Archi User Guide​

ArchiMate 3.2 Specification

Based on the ArchiMate 3 documents or objectives, a realization relationship indicates that an entity plays a critical role in the creation, achievement, sustenance, or operation of a more abstract entity. A serving relationship models that an element provides its functionality to another element. The diagram should use a realization relationship from the Risk Assessment service to the Enterprise Risk Management process to indicate that the service realizes the process. The diagram should also use a serving relationship from the Risk Measurement application to the Risk Assessment service to indicate that the application serves the service.

References: ArchiMate® 3.2 Specification, Chapter 5 Relationships, Section 5.1 Structural Relationships 1; ArchiMate® 3.2 Specification, Chapter 5 Relationships, Section 5.2 Dependency Relationships 1; ArchiMate Notation: Part 8 – Relationships - ArchiMate Resources for FREE 2.

According to the standard notation conventions, a structure element is denoted by a rectangle with rounded corners. A structure element represents an entity that has a state and exhibits some behavior. Examples of structure elements are actors, roles, components, nodes, and objects.

The diagram uses the ArchiMate notation for a goal element and an aggregation relationship. A goal element represents an end state that a stakeholder intends to achieve. An aggregation relationship indicates that a whole is composed of parts. In this case, the goal ‘Reduce Expense Ratio from 13% to 11%’ is composed of three sub-goals that contribute to its achievement.

References: ArchiMate® 3.2 Specification, Chapter 10: Motivation Elements, Section 10.1 Goal; Chapter 5: Relationships, Section 5.2 Aggregation.

Comprehensive and Detailed in Depth Explanation:Architecture Viewpointsare predefinedperspectives or templatesthat definehow specific stakeholders view an architecture. They provide guidelines forstructuring modelstocommunicate effectively with different stakeholders.

TheArchiMate 3.2 SpecificationdescribesArchitecture Viewpointsas tools forfiltering and structuringarchitectural representationsto address stakeholder concerns.

References:

Archi User Guide​

ArchiMate 3.2 Specification

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth Explanation:

ThisArchiMate Technology Layer diagramrepresents aserver configuration, where:

E250is modeled as aTechnology Node(a physical or virtual server).

Y2000 and XSeriesare contained withinE250, indicating that they aresoftware components running on this node.

Therelationship suggests that Y2000 is middleware and XSeries is an operating system.

InArchiMate 3.2, aTechnology Noderepresents acomputing platform that hosts software elements like applications, middleware, and operating systems.

Analysis of Answer Choices:

✅A. The E250 is an assembly of Y2000 processing units and XSeries high-speed memory.→❌Incorrect

E250 is a Technology Node (server), not just hardware components.

Y2000 and XSeries are software components, not processing units or memory modules.

✅B. The E250 node is running internally-developed Y2000 software for enterprise risk analysis and is fitted with an XSeries custom disk array.→❌Incorrect

There is no indication that XSeries is a disk array; rather, it appears to be software.

The diagram shows Y2000 and XSeries as software components inside E250, not as hardware attachments.

✅C. The E250 device is fitted with the Y2000 software application and the XSeries communication middleware.→❌Incorrect

Middleware typically supports application integration, while operating systems manage hardware resources.

The diagram suggests that XSeries functions as an OS, not middleware.

✅D. The E250 node is running Y2000 middleware and the XSeries operating system.→✅Correct Answer

This matches typical server configurations where a middleware application runs on top of an operating system.

Y2000 (middleware) handles enterprise risk analysis functions, while XSeries (operating system) manages the E250 server.

ArchiMate 3.2 Specification, Section 6.6.5, defines Middleware as software that facilitates integration between applications and the underlying OS.

Final Answer:✅D. The E250 node is running Y2000 middleware and the XSeries operating system.

References:

ArchiMate 3.2 Specification: Sections 6.6.1 (Technology Nodes), 6.6.5 (Middleware), and 6.6.6 (Operating Systems).

Archi User Guide: Modeling technology infrastructure and server configurations.

Based on the ArchiMate 3 documents or objectives, an application interface represents a point of access where an application service is made available to a user, another application component, or a node. An application interface specifies how the functionality of a component can be accessed by other elements. The notation for an application interface is a square with a small circle attached to it.

References: ArchiMate® 3.2 Specification, Chapter 10 Application Layer, Section 10.1 Active Structure Elements 1; Application Layer in ArchiMate Part 2 – Notation and Concepts - ArchiMate Resources for FREE 2.

Based on the ArchiMate 3 documents or objectives, the diagram uses a composition relationship to indicate that the financial processing function consists of three sub-functions A, B, and C. A composition relationship is a type of structural relationship that represents a whole-part hierarchy between elements. The notation for a composition relationship is a solid line with a filled diamond at the end that points to the whole element.

References: ArchiMate® 3.2 Specification, Chapter 4 Generic Metamodel, Section 4.1 Behavior and Structure Elements, Subsection 4.1.2 Structural Relationships 1.

According to the ArchiMate 3.2 Specification1, a business event is a behavior element that denotes an organizational state change. It may originate from and be resolved inside or outside the organization. A business event accesses a passive structure element that represents an entity relevant from a business perspective, such as a business object, a contract, or a product. A business passive structure element is denoted by a rectangular shape with square corners. The access relationship is denoted by a line with an open arrowhead.

The diagram below shows a business event named Order Received that accesses a business passive structure element named Order. The access relationship indicates that the event reads or writes the order.