Module 6: Enterprise Architecture Modeling Guidelines (Prefinals)

model

(Fundamental Guidelines)

A ____ has to provide answers to specific business, application, and/or technology-related questions.

model, visualization

Make a clear distinction between a _____ and its _____.

Model

This is an explicit and intellectual conception of rea-life aspects based on a clearly defined purpose.

Visualization

This pertains to the form in which a model is presented.

dynamically

(Fundamental Guidelines)

Real-life aspects that are likely to change over time are often included in a model. As such, models must be _____ designed.

economical

(Fundamental Guidelines)

Be _____ in models and views. Model only relevant concepts and relations based on the given purpose of the model and the type of stakeholders.

usage of stakeholders

(Fundamental Guidelines)

Make concepts and structures recognizable. Incorporate concept names and structure types based on the _____ __ ______.

real-life concepts

(Fundamental Guidelines)

Apply _____ in denoting elements in a model.

same terms

(Fundamental Guidelines)

Create consistent models. Model similar relations in a similar manner. Use the ____ _____ to denote the same concepts, as well as related models.

abstraction

(Fundamental Guidelines)

Keep _____ levels consistent.

correct, accurate, complete

(Fundamental Guidelines)

Make models _____, ____, and ______.

concerns, addressed

(Fundamental Guidelines)

Different ____ should be _____ in different parts of the model, or through related models.

match, objectives

(Fundamental Guidelines)

Select the design viewpoints that ____ the established _____.

abandon irrelevant elements

(Fundamental Guidelines)

Do not be afraid to ______ _____ _____ that clutter a model. The resulting model will contain less information, but holds more value for the stakeholders.

self- explanatory

(Fundamental Guidelines)

Make a model as ________ as possible.

Separate

(Fundamental Guidelines)

______ internal and external behaviors.

Collect

(Fundamental Guidelines)

______ feedback from various stakeholders.

enterprise architecture layer

(Fundamental Guidelines)

Use ______ ______ _______ and group by phase.

Guidelines for Readability and Usability of Models

1. The metaphorical direction in finding relevant elements

2. Limiting the visual complexity of a model

3. Gestalt Theory of Human Perception

4. Representation Conventions

Inwards

(metaphorical direction)

Towards the internal composition of the elements.

Upwards

(metaphorical direction)

Towards the elements that are supported by it.

Downwards

(metaphorical direction)

Towards its realization by other elements.

Sideways

(metaphorical direction)

Towards peer elements with which it cooperates.

Limiting the visual complexity of a model

· Reduce the number of concepts in a model.

· Reduce the number of elements in the model.

· Reduce the number of relations depicted in the model.

concepts

(Limiting visual complexity)

Reduce the number of _____ in a model

elements

(Limiting visual complexity)

Reduce the number of ____ in the model.

relations depicted

(Limiting visual complexity)

Reduce the number of relations depicted in the model.

Proximity - related objects

(Gestalt Theory of HP)

People have the tendency to relate objects that are near to each other. Therefore, ______ _____ should be placed near to each other.

Proximity rule

(Gestalt Theory of HP)

The _____ ____ also applies to colors, wherein objects with the same color can indicate relationships between objects.

Similarity - equal importance

(Gestalt Theory of HP)

People have the tendency to perceive objects that are similar, belong together as a unit.

Also, objects with similar size are often perceived as having the same or _____ _______.

Continuity - not positioned

(Gestalt Theory of HP)

People have the tendency to perceive a line as continuous establishing directions, based on their perspective.

Therefore, lines forming a right angle should ____ be _____ next to each other in a model, to avoid confusion.

Closure

(Gestalt Theory of HP)

People have the tendency to perceive incomplete objects as complete and asymmetric objects as symmetric.

Closure

(Gestalt Theory of HP)

Tendency to perceive:

*** Incomplete = Complete

*** Asymmetric = Symmetric

Closure - Symmetry, regularity

(Gestalt Theory of HP)

______ and ______ increase the readability of models and reduces perceived complexity.

Common Fate

(Gestalt Theory of HP)

People have the tendency to perceive different objects that move or function in a similar manner as a unit.

Representation Conventions

1. Use of Layouts

2. Use of Symbols

3. Use of Colors

4. Use of Texts

Use of Layouts

(Representation Conventions)

The layout aspects of a diagram include basic pattern, horizontal and vertical alignment, above/before positioning, symmetry, distance of objects, distribution and density objects and connectors

Use of Layouts

(Representation Conventions)

*** Properly utilize white space.

*** Make a clear distinction between normal proceedings and exceptions.

*** Apply symmetry to stress similarities.

*** Model time dependencies from left to right.

*** Avoid crossing lines.

Use of Symbols

(Representation Conventions)

The shapes of objects in a model usually match the intrinsic properties of the real-life objects.

Use of Symbols

(Representation Conventions)

*** Use similar shapes for similar concepts.

*** Use line width to stress important relations.

Use of Colors

(Representation Conventions)

Color is a strong visual signal. It is a visual attribute that is strongly influenced by "prior knowledge."

Use of Colors

(Representation Conventions)

It can also increase the appeal of a diagram, but can also lead to contrary effects, such as confusion and distraction.

Use of Colors

(Representation Conventions)

*** Use color for similarity.

*** Use color to convey emotions.

*** Limit the number of colors.

Use of Texts

(Representation Conventions)

Texts suggests proper interpretations, associations, and stimulates thinking.

Use of Texts

(Representation Conventions)

It also speeds up the creation of a proper mental state in modeling, while creating a good starting for the line of reasoning.

Use of Texts

(Representation Conventions)

*** Use domain-specific terminologies.

*** Use appropriate naming conventions.