Modeling as a Transformation Process

o Knowledge Representation – enterprise architecture model in a specific manner based

on the agreed perception of the individual involved in the process.
o Knowledge Goals – These are the goals under the modeling process of an enterprise
architecture.
o Knowledge State – This involves the condition and commitment of stakeholders on
enterprise architecture.
o Knowledge Transformation – knowledge passes through the modeling process while
considering goals and guidelines.
o Central Representations – These are the primary and essential models that are used in
the transformation of knowledge.

Important Points

o Created in order to establish communication between individuals reading the model

and/or the individuals developing the model
o Models can be used to describe the current and future situation of an organization.
o Involves the identification of relationship between different domains while providing a
high-level overview.

Different Modeling Activities

o Establishing the purpose, scope, and focus – architects determine all possible
stakeholders and the different purposes of the model in relation to the stakeholders.
o Selecting one or more viewpoints – Models are created using different viewpoints that
give a specific set of concepts and relations to be used during the modeling process.
o Creating and structuring the model – involves requirements gathering, such as
appropriate information, to create, structure and visualize an enterprise architecture
model.
o Visualizing the model – Stakeholders and their needs must be considered in visualizing a
model.
 o Using the model - Use model representation to communicate with the stakeholders and
evaluate whether the model and visualization achieved the intended outcome.
 Validation – key stakeholders agree that the viewpoints in the model are
correct representations of the actual and intended situation.
 Obtaining Commitment – stakeholders must commit that they fully understand
the potential impacts of implementing the model.
 Informing – dissemination of information to all the stakeholders
o Maintaining the model – must be kept up to date for it not lose its value for the
stakeholders.

Types of Modeling Actions

o Introduction – act of placing a fresh term for a concept or relation within a model.
o Refinement – can be done by adding specific details to existing elements.
 Classify the newly introduced candidate element based on the concepts used in
the model.
 Provide an additional description to an element rather than adding a new
element.
o Abandoning – an explicit decision of eliminating or delete a concept or relation with
proper documentation, to avoid the concept of “lingering around”
o Abstraction – architect decides whether information, that is available in the model is to
be left out or not.
o Translation – finding a suitable alternative for an element. Documentation is required in
order to keep track of the existing relationship between models or contexts.
o Documentation – involves the administration and documentation of all or some
modeling actions, such as refinement and abstraction.
Fundamentals Guidelines

Model – an explicit and intellectual conception of a real-life aspects based on a clearly defined
purpose.

Visualization – pertains to the form in which a model is presented.

The metaphorical direction in finding relevant element

Inward – towards the internal composition of the elements.

Upwards – Towards the elements that are supported by it.

Downwards- Towards its realization by other elements.

Sideways – Towards peer elements with which it cooperates.

Limiting the visual complexity of a model

o Reduce the number of concepts in a model

o Reduce the number of elements in the model
o Reduce the number of relations depicted in the model.

Gestalt Theory of Human Perception

Proximity – People have the tendency to relate objects that are near to each other.

Similarity – to perceive objects that are similar, belong together as a unit.

Continuity – perceive a line as continuous establishing directions, based on their perspective.

Closure – perceive incomplete objects as complete and asymmetric objects as symmetric.

Common Fate – perceive different objects that move or function in a similar manner as unit.
Representation Conventions

Use of Layouts – aspects of a diagram include basic pattern, horizontal and vertical alignment

 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 – The shapes of objects in a model usually match the intrinsic properties of the
real-life objects.
 Use similar shapes for similar conceptions
 Use line width to stress important relations

Use of Colors – color is a strong visual signal. It is a visual attribute that is strongly influenced by
“Prior knowledge”.

o Use color for similarity

o Use color to convey emotions
o Limit the number of colors.

Use of Texts – suggests proper interpretations, associations, and stimulates thinking. It also
speeds up the creation of a proper mental state in modeling, while creating a good starting for
the line of reasoning.

o Use domain-specific terminologies.

o Use appropriate naming conventions.