OAD Consulting has been helping fortune 500 companies establish their architectural practices and modeling environments since 2000. We have used numerous tools to do this, e.g. Rational Rose, Rational Software Architect/Modeler, Mega, and Enterprise Architect. A few years ago, we embedded that experience in the (EA)² Enterprise Architecture Modeling Framework for Sparx Systems' Enterprise Architect and made it available as a stand-alone product.

What we have learned since comes as no surprise. Each corporate environment has its own needs and characteristics, which demanded modifications to the framework. While (EA)² did provide some modification capabilties, it did not go far enough.

We are now happy to announce the Beta release of a brand new product that puts you in full control of your modeling environment, the Model Guardian for Enterprise Architect. (EA)² is now just one of any number of frameworks that can be developed using the Model Guardian. You can start with (EA)² and build on it, begin with one of the other frameworks we are developing, like the Enterprise Risk Management framework based on the COSO standard, or create your own from scratch. You have full control.

Model Guardian is designed to allow you to create the modeling environment you want without worrying about how to implement it in Enterprise Architect (EA). It goes beyond the capabilities inherent in EA by adding the following...

• A user interface that leads you through the process of creating and maintaining your modeling framework (see the image to the right).

• Automatic tracking of changes from one version of the framework to another with systemic application of those changes to your models, keeping them up to date and relevant..

• Automatic incorporation of existing models into the framework & model management.

• Automatic generation of SQL framework views that can be used directly within Enterprise Architect as model searches, with the RTF report generator, and with SQL report writers.

• User-defined SQL views that are modeled visually within Enterprise Architect that leverage the framework views. The User-defined SQL views are generated with each new version of the framework just like the framework views.

• Pre-defined, extensible frameworks for different modeling scenarios. OAD's (EA)² Enterprise Architecture Modeling Framework based on concepts from TOGAF, Archimate, RUP, and RM-ODP, and the (EA)2 Enterprise Risk Management Framework based on the COSO standard, are examples of frameworks that you can purchase and modify to your own needs. Users on the annual support program will automatically receive updates to Model Guardian and frameworks they have purchased.

The benefits derived from creating models using Model Guardian include…

• No need for an in-depth understanding of UML - The framework “coaches” modelers using the constructs you have built into the framework. When building the framework, you can take a limited approach to the use of UML or take full advantage of all of its features.

• Consistency in designs - Using the framework ensures that model elements and connectors are drawn properly and receive the necessary tagged values. The framework relationships help ensure that the elements are properly related to each other. The designs created by different modelers are consistent, making the diagrams and reports more effective. The framework makes modeling to your architectural standards the easiest way to go.

• Focused framework areas for different audiences - While your underlying metamodel applies to the entire framework, you can create areas that are specific to certain audiences. For example, you can create toolboxes and diagram types specific to business modeling and others for application design. This means that each stakeholder has the view appropriate for his or her role. In addition, you can create domain specific model frameworks for the different business areas of your organization, e.g. member, plan sponsor, and claims for an insurance company.

• Comprehensive change management - Change is inevitable and, therefore, framework evolution is one of the most important aspects of the success of a modeling program. Model Guardian allows you to make broad changes to the framework, adding and changing object types, connector types, tagged value definitions, relationships, toolboxes, and diagram types. It then automatically updates your models with the latest version of the framework. You can even directly update models that are several versions old.

You Are Not Alone!

Model Guardian makes is easy to set up your frameworks. OAD Consulting can provide you with the guidance to do it right. You can start with one of our pre-defined frameworks and enhance it to fit perfectly into your own environment, or you can build your own from scratch, patterning it after your favorite industry standard.

OAD can help you go even farther by mentoring your team on developing meta models, frameworks, and the life-cycle management required to keep your models up to date and relevant. We can then work with your experts in the various architectural areas to help them apply their trade using the frameworks you have set tup.

Take a Look

Find out more about how Model Guardian can help get your team working together, producing the best models and supporting documentation in the easiest manner possible. Download our product positioning paper here. To block web crawlers, enter the following credentials: user id: OAD / password: FMS/EA

If that whets your appetite, send us an email with your name, company, role, and contact info and we will send you a link to download a free, 45-day evaluation copy of Model Guardian so you see just how good it is.

You can learn more about the (EA)² Enterprise Architecture Modeling Framework, the first of many frameworks that OAD will be making available for Model Guardian, at www.EA2.us.

Ask about our upgrade program for migrating from (EA)² and take full control of your enterprise architecture modeling environment.