A Comprehensive Guide to Viewpoints in ArchiMate NEXT (Specification Snapshot 1)

Introduction

ArchiMate NEXT represents a significant evolution of the enterprise architecture modeling language, designed to simplify, standardize, and modernize how organizations model their architecture. At the heart of this evolution lies the Viewpoint mechanism—a core enabler that allows architects to create focused, stakeholder-relevant views of complex systems.

While the fundamental philosophy of using viewpoints to address specific stakeholder concerns remains unchanged, ArchiMate NEXT (Specification Snapshot 1) introduces meaningful enhancements in structure, usability, and strategic alignment. This article provides a clear, well-structured, and practical guide to understanding and applying Viewpoints in ArchiMate NEXT, highlighting key updates, classifications, and best practices.

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What Are Viewpoints in ArchiMate NEXT?

In ArchiMate NEXT, Viewpoints are purpose-driven, tailored subsets of the language’s concepts. They enable architects to:

• Focus on specific stakeholder needs

• Present information at appropriate levels of detail

• Align architectural views with business strategy and operational realities

Unlike full models that capture every element, a Viewpoint selects relevant elements and relationships to produce a focused, meaningful representation—ideal for communication, decision-making, or design.

🔍 Think of a Viewpoint as a “lens” through which you see your architecture—each lens is designed for a specific audience and purpose.

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Key Enhancements in ArchiMate NEXT Viewpoints

1. Enhanced Predefined Templates

To accelerate adoption and reduce modeling effort, ArchiMate NEXT now includes new and refined viewpoint templates that address common enterprise challenges:

Viewpoint	Purpose
Stakeholder Communication View	Enables clear, visual engagement with non-technical stakeholders using simplified, intuitive diagrams.
Migration Path View	Illustrates transitions, roadmaps, and implementation planning—ideal for IT transformation or digitalization initiatives.

These templates serve as ready-to-use starting points, allowing teams to produce high-value architecture views without starting from scratch.

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2. Reorganization for Maintainability

To improve clarity and focus, example viewpoints have been moved to Appendix C of the specification. The core document is now leaner and more focused, while still retaining comprehensive guidance in dedicated sections.

✅ Appendix C now contains:

• A categorized collection of example viewpoints

• Organized by perspective (e.g., business, technology, strategy)

• Grouped by scope and abstraction level

• Fully cross-referenced for easy navigation

This change ensures the specification remains accessible and maintainable, without sacrificing depth or usability.

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3. Standardized Visuals & Color Coding

For the first time in ArchiMate’s history, RGB color codes are standardized across architectural domains to promote visual consistency in diagrams, presentations, and tools.

Domain	Color Code	Hex Code
Business	Soft Blue	#4A90E2
Technology	Emerald Green	#50C878
Strategy	Deep Blue	#2E6B8B
People	Warm Orange	#FF7300
Process	Navy Blue	#1E4A7B

📌 Benefits of Standardization:

• Reduces ambiguity in cross-team discussions

• Improves clarity in tool-based modeling (e.g., Visio, ArchiMate tools, Power BI)

• Supports better alignment in presentations and stakeholder workshops

💡 Tip: Use these colors consistently in your diagrams to enhance readability and professional presentation.

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4. Comprehensive Documentation per Viewpoint

Each example viewpoint now includes detailed documentation that helps users apply them effectively, including:

• ✅ Required elements and relationships

• ✅ Usage guidelines and context

• ✅ Goals and intended outcomes

• ✅ Target stakeholder groups

This rich metadata ensures that viewpoints are not just templates, but actionable tools grounded in real-world application.

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Classifying Viewpoints: Two Key Dimensions

To select the right viewpoint, architects should consider two foundational dimensions:

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🔹 1. Purpose Dimension

What is the viewpoint used for?

Purpose	Description
Designing	Used during the design phase—supports architects in sketching, refining, and elaborating architecture solutions. Ideal for technical teams.
Deciding	Supports managers and decision-makers via analytical views, cross-reference tables, or maps. Used for evaluating options and making strategic choices.
Informing	Communicates complex concepts to non-technical stakeholders through simplified, engaging formats (e.g., cartoons, animations, flowcharts).

🎯 Match the purpose to your audience: Designing for engineers, Deciding for executives, Informing for board members.

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🔹 2. Content (Abstraction) Dimension

What level of detail and scope does it cover?

Level	Description
Details	Focused on one domain and one aspect (e.g., application structure). Best for domain specialists (e.g., software engineers).
Coherence	Spans multiple domains, showing dependencies and interactions (e.g., how processes use systems). Useful for integration teams.
Overview	High-level view across domains, offering strategic insights. Suited for executives (CEOs, CIOs, CTOs).

📊 Use the content dimension to control depth: Start with Overview → move to Coherence → refine with Details as needed.

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Four Functional Categories of Viewpoints

Viewpoints are grouped into four functional categories based on the type of information they present:

Category	Focus	Examples
Composition	Internal structure of elements	Organization Structure, Application Structure
Support	How one set of elements enables another	Application Usage, Technology Usage
Cooperation	Peer-level collaboration across domains	Process Cooperation, Application Cooperation
Realization	How higher-level concepts are realized by lower-level structures	Service Realization, Implementation & Deployment

🔄 These categories reflect real-world interactions and dependencies, enabling rich, dynamic modeling of enterprise systems.

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New Strategic Viewpoints (Emphasizing the Strategy Domain)

With a stronger focus on strategic alignment, ArchiMate NEXT introduces or strengthens three key strategic viewpoints:

Viewpoint	Description
Capability Map Viewpoint	Visualizes organizational capabilities and their maturity or gaps—helps identify capabilities to develop or improve.
Value Stream Viewpoint	Maps end-to-end value creation flows—from customer need to delivery and revenue generation.
Resource Map Viewpoint	Depicts human, financial, informational, and operational resources supporting strategic objectives.

These viewpoints enable organizations to:

• Align architecture with business strategy

• Identify capability gaps

• Optimize resource allocation

• Improve value delivery

🚀 These tools are essential for modern enterprises navigating digital transformation, market disruption, or new business models.

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Practical Guidance for Using Viewpoints in ArchiMate NEXT

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you apply viewpoints effectively:

✅ Step 1: Identify the Stakeholder Concern

Start by asking:

“Who needs to see this, and what do they need to understand?”

Examples:

• CEO: Strategic direction and ROI

• CTO: Technology roadmap and implementation

• Project Manager: Migration path and dependencies

✅ Step 2: Match to Purpose and Content

Use the Purpose and Content dimensions to select the right viewpoint:

Audience	Purpose	Content
Executives	Informing	Overview
Managers	Deciding	Coherence
Engineers	Designing	Details

✅ Step 3: Apply Standardization

Use the standard RGB color codes to ensure visual consistency in all diagrams and presentations.

Example: Use #4A90E2 for business elements and #50C878 for technology elements in your slide deck or model.

✅ Step 4: Customize with Context

While viewpoints are templates, customize them to fit your organization’s context—add domain-specific nuances, remove irrelevant elements, or adjust relationships.

✅ Remember: Viewpoints are not rigid—they are flexible frameworks.

✅ Step 5: Leverage Enhanced Documentation

Refer to the detailed per-viewpoint documentation (in Appendix C) to ensure:

• You include all required elements

• You model relationships correctly

• You meet stakeholder expectations

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Why This Matters: The Value of Viewpoints in ArchiMate NEXT

Benefit	Description
🔍 Stakeholder Relevance	Tailored views build trust and understanding across teams.
📈 Improved Decision-Making	Deciding views support data-driven choices with clarity.
🚀 Faster Time to Value	Predefined templates accelerate delivery of insights.
🌐 Cross-Team Collaboration	Standardized visuals and clear documentation reduce friction.
🏁 Strategic Alignment	New strategic viewpoints bridge architecture with business goals.

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Conclusion: A Smarter, Simpler Future for Enterprise Architecture

ArchiMate NEXT’s enhancements to Viewpoints represent a significant leap forward in making enterprise architecture more accessible, actionable, and strategically grounded.

With:

• Clear classification systems

• Standardized visuals

• Rich documentation

• Strategic focus and real-world templates

…architects are now better equipped than ever to create focused, stakeholder-centered views that drive understanding, alignment, and innovation.

Whether you’re a seasoned architect or just beginning your journey in enterprise modeling, ArchiMate NEXT Viewpoints provide a powerful, modern toolkit for translating complex architecture into meaningful insights.

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Next Steps

✅ Explore the Official Specification
Visit the The Open Group – ArchiMate NEXT (Snapshot 1) to access the full specification, especially Appendix C, which provides the complete set of example viewpoints.

✅ Start with a Template
Choose a predefined viewpoint (e.g., Stakeholder Communication View or Migration Path View) and build your first view.

✅ Apply the Colors
Use the standardized RGB codes to ensure visual consistency in your next presentation or model.

✅ Share & Iterate
Present your viewpoint to stakeholders and refine it based on feedback.

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📚 For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official ArchiMate NEXT Specification (Snapshot 1) from The Open Group. This guide is intended to support practical application, not replace the full specification.

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ArchiMate NEXT – Where Architecture Meets Clarity.
Empower your team. Simplify your models. Inform your strategy. 🚀