Which document is produced early in the project lifecycle and summarizes the end architecture vision?

The document that is produced early in the project lifecycle and summarizes the end architecture vision is the Architecture Vision. This document serves as a foundational element in the TOGAF framework, outlining the high-level goals and objectives for the architecture project. It articulates what the organization aims to achieve with the architecture and provides a clear and concise description of the desired future state.

The Architecture Vision is essential at the start because it aligns stakeholders on a common understanding of the architectural direction and objectives. This alignment ensures that all subsequent architectural work, development, or changes are coherent and support this overarching vision. It typically includes key elements such as the scope, constraints, and background information, essentially acting as a blueprint for the overall architectural strategy.

In contrast, other documents like the Architecture Contract, Architecture Definition Document, and Architecture Requirements Specification serve different roles within the architecture development cycle. The Architecture Contract focuses on the agreement between stakeholders regarding deliverables and expectations, while the Architecture Definition Document provides a detailed description of the architecture. The Architecture Requirements Specification outlines the specific requirements the architecture must fulfill. Therefore, these documents are integral to the process, but they are developed after the Architecture Vision has been established and do not summarize the end architecture vision in the way the Architecture Vision does.