Way to link data objects in BPM diagram?

[allenc]

Is there any way to create component or sequence diagrams where associations between components or lifelines can be linked to data model tables or domain model classes?

I found a way to do it by adding interfaces to the components, then drawing an information flow between the interfaces. Unfortunately, when I then go to the data model, select the table, and do Find In All Diagrams, EA does nothing. Being able to answer "where is this table used" is becoming increasingly important, and I'm not sure EA can be used to answer the question.

Using version 8.0.859.

Thanks.

[OpenIT Solutions]

Hi Allen,

If you wanting to use bpmn diagrams (as your title suggest) then i'd use bpmn compliant DataObjects on your bpmn diagram and an Association between the DataObject and associated Activity (Task/Sub-Process).

I'd put all my DataObjects into a libary package and direct modellers to drag and drop DataObjects from this package onto their diagrams (creating as a Linked object). You will then need to create a class diagram in this package that models the assoication between DataObjects and the Classes that form your data model.

You can then create a model search or use the Tracability tool to find out which Activities are associated with a given table.

Regards,

Jon.

[allenc]

Thank you for the reply, Jon. I've followed your steps and believe I've produced the results you describe.

It's close to what I'm looking for. My ultimate goal is a process diagram where data is reflected as the associations between activities. Put another way, Activity 1 leads to Activity 2...click on the association between them, and the association is linked to a data object. The data object itself needn't be an object in the diagram.

Let's say we have a diagram where Process 1 creates Data Object 1 and sends it to Process 2. Process 2 adds a second data object, named Data Object 2, and sends both data objects to a Decision Point.

From the diagram I'd like to be able to create a report something like this:

Data Object	Created by	Used by
Data Object 1	Process 1	Process 2, Decision Point
Data Object 2	Process 2	Decision Point

Any thoughts on how to do this with Enterprise Architect would be welcome.

Thanks again,
Chris

[OpenIT Solutions]

OK If you want to just maintain a relationship you could look at using the relationship matrix to asscoaited a sequence flow on a diagram with the class in your data model. Off the top of my head i can't remember if the Relationship Matrix will allow you to form a relationship with a sequence flow...but could be a starting point for you...

[allenc]

Thanks for the suggestion. I've never used EA's Relationship Matrix. Opened it up and got the data objects listed as a target for an association, but saw no way to select which data objects were related.

[RazvanR]

Hi Jon,

Done exactly that (create DataObjects in a separate package and reuse them in individual BPMN diagrams) and I noticed that the Project Browser displays the DOs created with Add Element (icon=document/artifact with rows filled in) different than the ones created from the BPMN toolbox (icon=document/artifact with no rows inside it). I compared all the properties of DOs created the 2 different ways and could not find any difference. Any clue what EA is doing and the implications of these DOs being treated differently (if that's the case)?
Thanks,
Razvan:-)

Hi Allen,

If you wanting to use bpmn diagrams (as your title suggest) then i'd use bpmn compliant DataObjects on your bpmn diagram and an Association between the DataObject and associated Activity (Task/Sub-Process).

I'd put all my DataObjects into a libary package and direct modellers to drag and drop DataObjects from this package onto their diagrams (creating as a Linked object). You will then need to create a class diagram in this package that models the assoication between DataObjects and the Classes that form your data model.

You can then create a model search or use the Tracability tool to find out which Activities are associated with a given table.

Regards,

Jon.