Reading 2023 - Training Abstracts

9.30 am: OPTION 1 = Model Maturity Model – Live!

Peter Lieber, Enterprise Architecture Enthusiast, Sparx Systems CE / Lieber.Group

Related to the CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integration) we defined the MMMI (Model Maturity Model Integration). The goal of the MMMI is to constantly develop the value of models within organisations over different levels. 

The 5 levels of maturity are – once clearly defined – a step-by-step process.  

• Level 0: No Model,
• Level 1: My, Myself and I,
• Level 2: Collaboration
• Level 3: Advanced Collaboration and Publication,
• Level 4: Regulation and Optimization.

What is needed to jump from one level to the next and what benefit does it bring to the organisation? In this training session, we discuss conditions and goals so this development can take place without (bigger) hurdles. One of the most important parts in this process is also how to develop the value acknowledgement that models are creating.

 

We look at this 5M-development process not only from the organization’s perspective but will also reflect your role as enterprise architect and modelling expert, acting in an ecosystem.

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9.30 am: OPTION 2 = Getting started with EA - Setting up Sparx EA for success 

 

Nizam Mohamed

KISS is the key to Sparx EA success (Keep it Simple) Sparx EA is a multi-faceted modeling tool that may be used for a range of purposes; however, due to perceived complexity and intrinsic resistance from project teams and stakeholders, most Sparx EA teams fail to achieve scale and acceptance.The biggest reason for this is attempting to use the tool as-is, right out of the box. Sparx EA's range of capabilities is extremely valuable for experienced users, but novice users are frequently overwhelmed and puzzled. Several years of working with Sparx EA teams has shown that the initial effort in configuring the tool to help teams achieve the intended use cases, and hiding everything else, to provide a more focused, simple, governed platform to start with, is the fine line between success and failure of an EA practice.In this session, we will go through the required steps in configuring EA to get started

1. Understanding the Use cases - The tool can accomplish a lot of things, but the team's priorities are mostly limited to a select few. Clarity on this is a vital step prior to applying the tool.
2. Developing a metamodel - the use cases will enable us to create a metamodel that will assist us in achieving the use cases. A big bang approach to modeling has not been effective for many teams; but, if we can start with a subset of a broader framework and implement them to satisfy the targeted usecases, our chances of success increase significantly.
3. EA Configuration - EA introduced various possibilities to assist with configuring the tool to offer a simpler, more focused (less cluttered) interface.
4. Model harvesting - Before onboarding the larger team, it is critical to create a baseline repository based on the stated metamodel and using the EA Configuration.
5. Define publishing options - in EA, Prolaborate, or Confluence, define stakeholder-specific public options to ensure the tool also caters to the targeted stakeholders (beyond modeling community)

Train the teams - All of the above steps will provide us with a well-defined framework and sample models to teach and onboard the architectural teams and stakeholders.

 

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9.30 am: OPTION 3 = EA Requirements and Use Case Masterclass

 

 

Gillian Adens, Hippo Software (Sparx Services UK)

This ½ day fully interactive workshop is aimed at anyone wishing to learn more about capturing requirements in Enterprise Architect. Delegates will learn how to:

• capture, document, present and view requirements details
• colour-code requirements based on status and add custom properties
• perform stakeholder analysis and create an actor catalogue
• build a use case model incorporating include, extend and inheritance relationships
• document scenarios and auto-generate activity and test case diagrams
• demonstrate traceability using window, diagram and relationship matrix

Delegates who bring their own laptops running Sparx EA V15 or V16 will have the opportunity to follow demonstrations and create their own requirements and use case models.

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1.30 pm: PLENARY = The Great Version Control Workshop

 

Panel: Ian Mitchell | Daniel Siegl | Nizam Mohamed

Several different versioning solutions exist in the EA World: LemonTree, Portfolio Manager, and the built-in EA stuff like TAW and RAS.

There is no single solution for everyone: there are just lots of use cases, and some solutions are better at some use cases, and less good at others.

 In this workshop we will:

• explain the problems each solution is trying to solve
• show some highlights of each solution.
• Open the floor for everyone present to discuss, question and learn which solution could be best for them and their organisation.