Sparx Systems Forum
Enterprise Architect => General Board => Topic started by: adanecito on April 10, 2021, 04:04:16 am
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Hi All,
I am curious how one in Enterprise Architect can see relationships between domains. For example how does one see the relationship between business process and applications and applications to infrastructure? Would that be some sort of link or some sort of merged view? And can that be exported to be viewed in another tool like Orbus Essential EA?
Thanks!
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No idea what that Orbus might be. But presenting domains is possible in thousand and one ways. You can package and trace at your wish. There is no standard for that. Each domain is quite individual (which is why it exists and can employ people to carry on). So you have to sit down, discuss and design at best knowledge. I ever since used EA to do that (though I'm one of the major critics; some would say whiner) with good success (though the pain level lately increased heavily; whine!).
q.
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Thanks Querty!
I am a Enterprise Solution Architect so working cross domains is common thus the question. I work with the Chief Architect and he was wanting the answer (and myself also). We are trying to determine if Enterprise Architect is what we should use. So far as you said it is good for siloed or domain engineering. Problem is our CIO (and CIO's I have known over 20yrs in IT) ask the same questions about the Enterprise like what is connected to what and what is it for, what happens if I make a change here to all the domains (business, application, data, integration, security ect.). I work for a state agency and the head of all architecture for the state bought Essential EA which can import OWL and RDFS data from other Architects then apply templates to the data to create diagrams and very nice, useful reports.
So that is what I am doing and my goal. I hope that helps.
I am the curious person which who raises good questions.
Many Thanks for the prompt reply!
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Depends on what modelling notation(s) used. For example ArchiMate you would use relationships like serves. You can view those relationships in diagrams or matrices.
You can export using a number of different formats such as XMI, OWL/RDF or ArchiMate Model Exchange file. Not sure what formats Orbus can import so can't answer that question. Whilst some vendors tools support the XMI standard for exchanging modelling information I've found the vendors have different interpretations of the standard and usually don't work. Not tried the Archimate model exchange so can't comment on that but hopefully that would work.
I have managed to exchange information with other tools like PowerDesigner and Avolution by writing a plug-in using C# utilising the API's of both tools. It took about 3 weeks to write code to synchronising the elements and relationships so wasn't too hard to do between the tools however, the diagrams were a different story.
I don't quite understand the Orbus and Sparx EA mix though. Thought folk using Orbus used visio.
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I would highliy recommend to hire someone for a rough analysis to work out some master plan (of course someone that knows EA in and out). Honestly, it will not be something "I have something prepared for you". Depending on the size someone with experience can give you a rough number from a days workshop. But likely at the cost "we need to set up workgroups for X and X to evaluate Z which needs such and such weeks". Actually there are a couple of smart guys here which will likely chip in. They might not be available on the fly, though.
q.
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Thanks all for the replies.
I was looking for Sparx EA to Essential EA flow of Architecture info. My understanding is use of RDF or/and OWL should work but there were no details in the responses I have seen previously.
The other requirement for a tool from our Chief Architect is connecting the domains so management and the architects can see the dependencies better.
Finally, connecting architecture in production environments (hopefully QA or UAT also) to models created in something like Enterprise Architect. I call this round trip validation.
I expect it would be more abstract or Enterprise level and not of course UML or design level.
Getting data from Sparx EA to Essential EA in OWL or RDF also would help with reporting quality and adherence to Standards and Compliance. You would hopefully
get more explicit info which works better for reporting.
I hope that helps.
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It's all possible, but as q. suggested, you better get a consultant involved.
There are lot's of moving parts in your story that need to be looked at.
I've done a couple of comparable projects in the past myself. The problem is that I'm currently fully booked until the end the year.
There is a list of "Value added resellers" on the Sparx website, but some of them are mostly resellers without much added value.
Geert
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There is a list of "Value added resellers" on the Sparx website, but some of them are mostly resellers without much added value.
They add value to Geoffrey's account.
q,
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I concur with Geert and Qwerty it sounds like you should definitely seek help from a consultant who knows Sparx EA and ideally Essential EA with added attributes of someone who also understands how to relate the various meta models of the different domains languages together.
BTW Couldn't find anything on Orbus Essential EA so exactly which other tool are you referring to when you say "Getting data from Sparx EA to Essential EA". Came across https://enterprise-architecture.org/ (https://enterprise-architecture.org/) is that it, Orbus iServer or something else? Please specify more clearly and provide a link to the website of the other tool.