Need advice.. how to convice team lead.

[Elk]

Hi there,

Having used a few modelling tools in the past I have evaluated and I am really impressed with E.A.

The large multi-national I work for have bought licenses for WebShere BI UML Modeller.  Having looked at it and compared it to EA WB-UML Modeller.. sucks!  

As far as I can see you cannot do any reverse engineering with IBMs product.  Nor can you export your models to HTML or MS Word.  It does not create documentation of your models for you based on the infomration you have created within the entities in the models.

Has anyone else used IBMS WB-UML modeller.  I believe it used to be holosofx.

I need help and/or documentation to help put my case forward.

Yours in need,
Elk

[EmmaN]

Hi

You may find this independent comparison of UML modeling tools useful:

http://consulting.dthomas.co.uk/ooad_articles_resources/Comparison_of_UML_Modelling_Tools.pdf

Regards

Emma

[Sean Kearon]

EA adds value by integrating project management, estimation, testing etc.  It integrates with your source control provider too and has superb reporting.  The automation interface means that you can integrate it with any other tools you are using (project management package for example).  It supports XMI export/import of models so you can use any other XMI compliant tool that you may need to use but still have the benefits of using EA (not just the cost saving).

One other area where Sparx shine is in the speed they respond to feature requests and provide bug fixes.  They support is first class and very responsive.  Far better than you could expect from IBM/Rational!

[nilay]

I have evaluated around 8 to 9 UML/Design tools:
Visual UML, UML Studio, Poseidon, MagicDraw, ObjectIF, Ideogramic, Enterprise Architect, object domain. Visual Paradigm.

I have spent more time on 3 tools: Poseidon, MagicDraw and Enterprise Architect
I have tried to model the same project in all three tools.
for each tool i spent 2-3 days.

From the tools that I have not spent much time on, I feel UML Studio and Poseidon 2.0 Embedded edition are worth a try.

About the High cost tools (Rose and Rhapsody):
I am not finding time to review or evaluate them.

Enterprise Architect a good choice in my opinion.

For my mgmt i gave the following input:
I feel that it is better to go for low cost/Easy to learn tool for following reasons:
- As many are not experienced in UML, starting out with UML modelling using high cost/complex tool may be difficult.
- low cost = more licenses. Good for teaching and evaluations and small projects. More users can use at the same time. Less risky.
- each team will know what it wants from the tool and how the tool is useful in his/her context, thus minimizing risks and costs.
- gives time and experience to evaluate high cost tools thoroughly and match its price/benifit factor.