Need help generating an N2 diagram or Design Structure Matrix

[mse]

Suppose I have a model with classes, with associations connecting each one. I would like to run a report where I generate a table with class names listed on the X and y axis and along the diagonal, the names of the classes. I would then like to output a dependency in one of the cells. Is this at all possible? Or should I just go with a traceability artifact?

See the figure on the following page which shows modules 1 through 7 on the axis, and then "x" marks showing a dependency:

https://dsmweb.org/clustering-a-dsm/

[Modesto Vega]

Suppose I have a model with classes, with associations connecting each one. I would like to run a report where I generate a table with class names listed on the X and y axis and along the diagonal, the names of the classes. I would then like to output a dependency in one of the cells. Is this at all possible? Or should I just go with a traceability artifact?

See the figure on the following page which shows modules 1 through 7 on the axis, and then "x" marks showing a dependency:

https://dsmweb.org/clustering-a-dsm/

Have you tried matrices? Aesthetically they are clunky but they do something similar to what a Design Structure Matrix do.

AFIK there is no built-in functionality to display a matrix as a more elegant diagram, it will be good to have it. In theory, custom code or anadd-in could be written to display a matrix more elegantly. Also, document templates do not rendered them very nicely.

Having said this, INMHO it is worth a try.

[mse]

Looks like "Matrix Specification" is the best option I have to do something like that. At least I can work inside the the matrix spec and insert <<Usage>> dependencies between modules. They are also easily exported in the document template.

It's a good start. I'll see how how it works out for us, thanks