Phase 3 : EA Modelling Flashcards
Briefly discuss the 3 main layers of the Archimate Modelling language.
The business layer offers products and services to external customers, which are realized in the organization by business processes ( performed by business actors or roles )
The application layer supports the business layer with application services which are realized by (software) application components.
The technology layer offers infrastructural services (eg processing, storage, and communication services) needed to run applications, realized by computer and communication devices and system software.
Discuss the core concepts of the Archimate v1.0 language by making use of a diagram :
See diagram pg 90
Archimate organizes architecture concepts according to 3 types of structures namely : active structure, behavior, and passive structure which are derived from natural language : they correspond to the subject - verb - object elements that all human languages exhibit.
Archimate v1.0 also makes a distinction between an external view and an internal view of systems. When looking at the behavioral aspect, these views reflect the principles of service orientation where the service concept represents a unit of essential functionality that a system exposes to its environment. For the external users, only this external functionality is relevant. Services are accessible through interfaces, which constitute the external view of the structural aspect. For the interns,realization of services and interfaces, Archimate distinguishes between behavior that is performed by an individual structural element (eg actor, role, component, etc), and collective behavior (interaction) that is performed by a collaboration of multiple structural elements.
Provide an overview of the 6 Modelling activities :
Establishing the purpose, scope and focus : Modelling is a goal-driven activity. So initially, an architect should determine who the stakeholders are and what the purpose of the model is, in relation to these stakeholders.
Selecting one or more viewpoints to create the model : architects create models using viewpoints, such. These viewpoints give a set of concepts and relations to be used during the Modelling process. As such, they guide you in determining what information should be included in the model, given the stakeholder, the purpose for which the model is created and the focus.
Creating and structuring the model : in this stage you gather the required information, and create, structure, and visualize the EA model.
Visualizing the model : depending on the types of stakeholders and their needs, you select one or more appropriate ways to visualize the model
Using the model : at this stage, you use the representation of the model to communicate with the stakeholders
Maintaining the model : a Modelling process is iterative. In the early stages of Modelling you discuss intermediate, but stable, versions of the model with stakeholders. These iterations help in getting a clear understanding of the purpose of the Modelling process, the concerns of the individual stakeholders, and the degree to which the model helps in achieving this purpose.
Briefly discuss the 5 phases of viewpoint selection :
Scoping : select one or more appropriate viewpoints, select the (sub-) domain that needs to be represented or modeled, and determine the constraints that apply to the domain being modeled.
Creation of views : create or select the actual content of he viewpoint, ie. Create or select a view conforming to the viewpoint used. This can pertain to the selection of a part of the larger (pre-existing) architecture model, or the creation of refinement of a part of the architecture model (in terms of a view)
Validation : validate the resulting view. Do the stakeholders agree that the view is a correct representation of the actual or intended situation ?
Obtaining commitment : if agreement has been reached among the key stakeholders involved, the next step will be to create commitment for the results. In other words, do the stakeholders commit themselves to the (potential) impact of what is described by the view ?
Informing : inform other stakeholders of the results. These stakeholders will be those members of the development community, whose explicit commitment has, in a conscious decision, been considered not to be crucial.
