Architecture principles are a set of principles that relate to architecture work. They reflect a level of consensus across the enterprise (or social group), and embody the spirit and thinking of existing principles held by the stakeholders. Architecture principles govern the architecture process, affecting the development, maintenance, and use of the enterprise (or social) architecture.

Source (for enterprise architecture): TOGAF 9.1, Chapter 23.1; See also TOGAF 8, Chapter 29.

Source (for social architecture): Social Architecture: The Handbook.


An example of architecture principles: