UK INCOSE Annual Systems Engineering Conference. Case Study - Implementing TRAK in Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect

Implementing TRAK in Sparx Enterprise Architect Nic Plum Eclectica Systems Ltd. INCOSE UK Annual Systems Engineering Conference 2010

Context – “TRAK Enterprise”
following on from the earlier presentation this case study involves:
modelling tools
tool vendors
framework definition store
framework developers
architects (users)
support tracker

Task Background
London Underground Limited (LUL) adopted Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect for Sub Surface Upgrade Programme (SUP)
Had previously used MS Visio
Needed something to
Make it easier to produce TRAK-compliant ADs
Exploit capabilities of a modelling tool with a repository vs old single drawings
TRAK developed alongside delivery of ADs into the programme
Necessity , small team
whilst carrying on with the day job …

Extending Sparx EA - Architecture

Process
represent TRAK metamodel object & relationship types using UML elements
represent allowed/forbidden relationships
create UML profile
represent each TRAK view
create each diagram toolbar
create custom searches
create template diagrams
build and export MDG
assembles each profile
add to online code repository
version-controlled release

Features Context-sensitive link creation Custom searches Context-sensitive toolbox model element palette

On the “To Do” List
more complicated queries for tabular views
create matrix view e.g. SV-03 Function to Resource Interaction (graphic object to graphic path)
validation of diagrams
emphasis has been on constraint during creation
requires external plugin so more complex

What We Learnt
constraints are necessary but hard to enforce
not easy to predict and circumvent users
Sparx EA, like any tool, has limitations/quirks
consistency of profile creation
can’t export some hierarchy structures in UML profile
support is essential, but
relatively small population do this sort of thing
all very strange initially – tool, help documentation, Sourceforge & subversion etc.
Sparx are good
decent SQL database for repository is probably a “must”
ad hoc queries - a lot more to an AD than just a framework e.g. management

TRAKsy strikes again …

UK INCOSE Annual Systems Engineering Conference. Case Study - Implementing TRAK in Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect

by Nic Plum on Nov 10, 2010

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UK INCOSE Annual Systems Engineering Conference. Case Study - Implementing TRAK in Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect — Presentation Transcript