What type of documentation is critical for maintaining architecture compliance in TOGAF?

The critical type of documentation for maintaining architecture compliance in TOGAF is architecture contracts and policies. This documentation serves as the framework and governance structure for ensuring that all architectural work aligns with the organization's established standards and goals.

Architecture contracts are agreements that define the expectations and responsibilities of all parties involved in the architectural process, ensuring accountability and clarity about compliance requirements. Policies provide guidelines and best practices that must be followed throughout the architecture development and governance phases. Together, these documents create a foundation that ensures that the architecture is not just theoretically sound but also practically implemented and consistently adhered to within the organization.

This focus on contracts and policies is essential because they help establish a clear framework for assessing compliance, enabling organizations to identify deviations and manage risks effectively throughout the architecture's lifecycle.