Mapping tool in EA -> who wants it?

[Geert Bellekens]

Hi everyone,

I'm thinking about developing a mapping tool add-in for EA.
The idea is that you can manage a mapping between two types of (data) models. For example between your logical data model and your message model, or between your logical data model and your database model etc...

I already have a number of add-ins and scripts that somehow create traceability between models on element, attribute and association level, but I don't have a tool yet to visualize and manage those traces.

To give you an idea the GUI of the thing could look similar to this:


Functions could include
- ability to add notes to each mapping
- ability to export the mapping to excel
- drag-n-drop to create mappings

Now it seems to me like there could be many parties interested in such a tool.
I would like to develop this as a free and open source add-in (as I do for all my add-ins) but I'm still looking for sponsors.
My initial rough estimate for the development of such a tool is 15 man days.

I already have two parties that might be interested, but the more sponsors I can find the lower the price would get for each individual party.

So if you are interested in such a tool please let me know: [email protected]

Geert

[Glassboy]

Well that's one of the reasons my employer has bought licences for another product so undoubtedly traceability is a feature EA is trailing in.

[DavidM]

Yes I would use it!!!
I think Sparx need to start moving away from UML and software design focus to say, a more EA perspective.


No one uses UML to communicate to stakeholders which means everyone has to customise for the most routine of tasks.

A good product but needs less techie, more architecture.

[Geert Bellekens]

I'm happy to see there's interest in such a tool (which was what I expected) but I would even be happier if I found a couple more sponsors to actually get it developed.
Of course, those who sponsor would have a say in the requirements and can make sure it works for their specific use cases.

So if you all could go and talk to the people controlling the wallets in your organisation and convince them this an investment worth doing

I'm thinking 3 or 4 sponsors in total would be enough to lower the price enough to be acceptable for anyone involved, and still keep the requirements discussion a bit sane.

It's the first time I'm trying such a "crowdfunding" concept, so I really hope it works out.

Geert

[Geert Bellekens]

I've made a follow up post on my website with a basic list of requirements:
https://bellekens.com/2016/09/22/ea-mapping-tool-the-next-steps/

Sponsors are starting to line up now, but it's not too late to join the party

Geert