[EA16.1] Missing information flow selection

[Guillaume]

Hi,

I'm testing the latest build 1627 with ArchiMate: I created 2 application components and a flow between them.
When I right click on the flow, I no longer have access to the Advanced > Information Flows realized menu. How can I add elements such as Data Objects on flows ?

It is a bug ?

[Modesto Vega]

Hi Guillaume,

I think the ArchiMate specification does not allow you to add Data Objects to connectors.

[Guillaume]

Hi Modesto,

Thanks for the info. I couldn't find in ArchiMate Open Group specification whether this is allowed as the metamodel diagrams I've seen don't go to this level of details (contrary to the UML OMG specs).

The view on this link https://pubs.opengroup.org/architecture/archimate31-doc/chap05.html#_Toc10045325 could be interpretated as follows: decision and schedule are selected Data Objects flowing between the business functions.

I've seen EA models with ArchiMate where the information flows were important as they identified Data Objects flow between applications. Since it is available in EA 15.2, I would expect it to remain so users don't lose such important information.
It more looks like a regression bug to me. Could Sparx put it back in the next build please ?

[Eve]

I'm testing the latest build 1627 with ArchiMate: I created 2 application components and a flow between them.
When I right click on the flow, I no longer have access to the Advanced > Information Flows realized menu. How can I add elements such as Data Objects on flows ?

It is a bug ?

It was a bug prior to EA 16.

Release Notes for 16.0 Build 1604
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ArchiMate
  A small correction to all ArchiMate connectors to prevent them from realizing UML InformationFlows

[Modesto Vega]

Hi Guillaume,

I think that Eve just confirmed that the previous behaviour was a bug, it was not compliant with the ArchiMate specification.

The diagram you refer to

 
shows that

• The Scheduling business function has a flow into the Claim Assessment business function, with the flow being schedule information, and
• The Claim Assessment business function has a flow into the Claim Settlement business function, with the flow being a decision.

The other thing to keep in mind is that in ArchiMate a flow is not a data/information flow. A flow "represents transfer from one element to another", I read this as encompassing both information and control.

From a data/information point of view ArchiMate lacks the capability of describing in detail the data/information transferred by an data/information flow. ArchiMate is featureless.

[Guillaume]

I understand this change is to be compliant with ArchiMate standard.
Should a user would like to digress and be able to select Data Object elements on flows, I take this will be possible using a stereotyped flow within a custom MDG based on ArchiMate for EA purposes (I have to test it).

[Guillaume]

Hi,

A follow up on this topic.
A different customer is moving from Archi to EA using the standard ArchiMate 3.1.
I noticed that in Archi, a Data Object can be associated with a flow between applications. Importing this in EA leads to the same result which seem to be Archimate compliant with the following Business example: https://pubs.opengroup.org/architecture/archimate31-doc/chap05.html#_Toc10045321

The issue of linking connectors with connectors in EA is that it is not traceable i.e. I have no way of finding my Data Object from a flow using Insert Related Elements or the trace window. This was well supported with Information flow, even if this is not Archimate compliant. Is there a plan to support some traceability enhancements on connectors to connectors e.g. if I select a flow on a diagram, the Trace view should show linked connectors and elements to easily add them to the diagram.