enterprise software architecture modelling tool
TRANSCRIPT
Enterprise Software Architecture Modelling Tool
Flash-based enterprise software architecture modelling tool
Has visual tools for senior managers Supported by detailed data for
technologists Different views show architecture
changes over time Driver for change
Shows areas of system redundancy Shows potential alternatives
Architecture defined by: Logical Components Software Systems Services (in a Service Oriented
Architecture) Small footprint – typically < 1 Mb Portable – runs on any Flash-enabled
browser No database or web server required for
distribution
Data gatherin
gXML file produced
Adobe Flex
Flash file produce
d
Direct distribution
End Users
Web Server
Publish to internet / intranet
System Owners
Flash-enabled
Web Browser
Microsoft Excel
Initial data gathering phase Data held in Excel and transformed into
XML XML data read by Adobe Flex
application Flex application compiled into Flash
object XML data encapsulated within Flash
object Flash file distributed as required
offersprovides to
requested by
offers
provides to
requested by
supports
supports
Based around Service Oriented Architecture (SOA)
Logical components describe aspects of the business model
Each logical component offers a number of services
These services are requested by other components
offers
provides S1 to System 2
offers
provides S2 to System ...
requests S1 from System 1
Systems support various components
Implied service relationships between systems because of components
Actual service relationships between systems also stored
Default starting view for Model-One Typically 20-25 logical components Components can be grouped as
required Actors (non-technology components)
show people, teams, external groups Tooltips show detailed component
descriptions Components can be clicked to show
detailed information
Shows detailed information about logical component (can be altered as required)
Services offered by the componentServices provided by the component
to other componentsServices requested by the
component from other components
Shows systems supporting this component
Filters available by system or timeline view
Can see which services offered by the component are actually used by the systems
Each logical component is supported by one or more software systems
Immediately shows areas of redundancy where there are many systems supporting the same logical components
Systems colour-coded to show fate across time
Multiple user-defined views available to show architecture changes over time
Like logical components, each system offers, provides and requests services
Unlike logical components, these are actual services
This can validate the notional services offered by the components
Impact tab shows what would happen if the selected system is demised
In this case, ALGO provides a number of services to MUREX
If one service is selected, then any alternative systems that can provide the same service will be shown on the right
In this case, Prism offers the “Create Limits” service, so this system may be used as an alternative to support Murex if ALGO is demised
However, for the “RM Functions – UI” service, there is no alternative system
This can drive analysis and bring out issues much earlier in the development cycle
Business process modelling viewBusiness scenarios with steps
definedEach step can be linked to a service
within the modelActs as validation for the model and
a useful training tool
Clicking on each step highlights the components and services used
As each step is selected, the previously-used components remain active
Each system can be linked to two functional groups (user-defined)
This allows a system architecture diagram to be derived
Dynamic visualisation of system-service connections
Nodes (systems or services) rotate and move when selected
Clearly shows related systems and how they are linked
Agile development methods mean user-requested changes (new data or visualisations) can be added easily
Small footprint and use of Flash ensures ease of distribution
Blends clean information visualisation with underlying data power
Clear driver for change projects
