Location Catalogue

[Stoppy]

Hi All,

Just looking for some suggestions on how to demonstrate/articulate a location catalogue in EA.

I was going to use Archimate to help present a simple diagram using the business interface element, but not sure how best to go about and implement.

Ideally I would like to change the appearance of the element to demonstrate what it represents.

My goal is demonstrate our offices where our people reside and potentially other sites like data centers, etc....

Happy to hear some suggestions.

Kind Regards,

Stoppy 

[Paolo F Cantoni]

Hi Stoppy,

Why not use the pre-supplied Location object from ArchiMate?  We use it for the uses that you are discussing.

For items such as Locations, Roles, Actors etc, ArchiMate doesn't mention that there are, in fact, two kinds:  Specific and Generic.  The specific locations are the ones you've mentioned.  The generic ones are a set defined by a query on the set of specific locations.  For example, "London-based locations" "Server Location" etc.  Such generic locations may be singletons or manifold.

We actually use two different, but related stereotypes, since it gives us more flexibility, but you can also use Tagged Values to assign the property.

HTH,
Paolo

[Stoppy]

Thanks Paolo, your spot on with your advice.

I must have been on auto pilot. I created a Archimate 3 business layer diagram not a Archimate 2 business layer diagram.

I can now see location element as mentioned.

I wonder what the decision was behind removing the element in the new archimate specification?

Thanks very much.

Stoppy.

[KP]

I wonder what the decision was behind removing the element in the new archimate specification?

It hasn't been removed, just relocated. It is now in the ArchiMate 3 Motivation toolbox (Strategy Concepts) and Technology toolbox (Physical Extension).

[Paolo F Cantoni]

I wonder what the decision was behind removing the element in the new archimate specification?

It hasn't been removed, just relocated. It is now in the ArchiMate 3 Motivation toolbox (Strategy Concepts) and Technology toolbox (Physical Extension).

Another interesting change from V2 to V3 was the removal of the ActorKind? property (Tagged Value: Compound/Standard) which changed the icon from a single actor figure to a multiple actor figure.  That's what got us thinking about the nature of these types of elements.  Archimate 3 discusses specific versus generic Actors (Section 8.2.1) ande that got us to generalise the concept to other Element types.

Paolo

[Stoppy]

Thanks KP, I don't see a location element in the ArchiMate 3 Motivation toolbox (Strategy Concepts) only [Resource | Capability | Course of Action]

I do see a location element in and Technology toolbox (Physical Extension).

Thanks for the further insights Paolo, I am just starting out learning Archimate and usually live in BPMN models... 

Kind Regards,

Stoppy

[KP]

Thanks KP, I don't see a location element in the ArchiMate 3 Motivation toolbox (Strategy Concepts) only [Resource | Capability | Course of Action]

Ah sorry, that'll be because I'm using an internal build.

[Stoppy]

KP, No problem mate.

Thanks everyone for the advice, I have been able to progress with my original goal.

Thanks,

Stoppy