Enterprise Architect

User Guide Series

Perspectives

Author: Sparx Systems

Date: 22/06/2018

Version: 1.0

CREATED WITH
Table of Contents

Perspectives 3
Types of Perspective 7
Managing Perspectives 12
User Guide - Perspectives 22 June, 2018

Perspectives
When working in a team you might want to restrict the available perspectives, effectively ensuring that all team members
are modeling with the same languages and technologies. This can be achieved simply by customizing the Global
Perspectives Sets and the Perspectives they contain.

There are a number of places within the tool where you can switch perspectives, including the portals window

Perspectives are sets of Enterprise Architect modeling tools, facilities and model and diagram Patterns that are tailored to
domain-specific modeling scenarios. You select and switch to the required Perspective through the 'Perspective' option at
the top right of the screen or through the Perspective Portal. Selecting a Perspective automatically brings up the
Modeling Wizard, which provides a rich set of system-provided modeling patterns on which to build the appropriate
model. Enterprise Architect also helps you to create your own Perspectives.

Introduction

Perspectives allow you to focus on a particular modeling language or technology enabling you to work effectively and
efficiently on the task at hand. When your modeling focus changes you can simply select another perspective from a
conveniently grouped list of perspective sets. Enterprise Architect will then hide the previous languages and
Technologies and open the newly selected set. The diagram below shows an example of three Perspective Sets each of
which contains a number of perspectives.

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The 'peeping through a key hole' mechanism reduces the 'background noise' and allows you to effectively switch hats as
your role changes. The perspectives have been crafted to align with the multitude of roles that modelers perform and are
grouped into sets that make finding the right perspective easy and just one click away. There are for example perspective
sets for: Strategy, Ux Design, Database Engineering, Business Modeling, Systems Engineering, Code Engineering and
many more. Each set contains a number of relevant and useful perspectives.

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User Guide - Perspectives 22 June, 2018

With so many modeling languages and capabilities built into Enterprise Architect it can be difficult to find the right
approach and keep focus. Using the Perspectives facility helps you to quickly and effectively refine the scope of tools
and options available to meet your exact modeling requirement or scenario. Perspectives tailor the overall modeling
capability to a specific set of technologies, limit the options available in the Ribbon menu system and implement a robust
and user-configurable meta-modeling capability that allows for very fine definition of custom viewpoints and modeling
tool sets.
Through the Model Wizard, Perspectives link to a huge range of new model patterns and guidance notes, and filter them
to narrow down the available patterns, technologies, diagram types and other modeling constructs to the precise set
required with minimal effort. This helps you to quickly build accurate, focused models with minimal 'noise' and
maximum fidelity.
The Perspectives facility applies the concept that it is easier to rapidly switch between domain-focused sets of tools on an
as-needs basis than to pick through a mixed set of technologies and tools that address ALL possible modeling scenarios.
By selecting the appropriate Perspective for the task at hand, you can avoid the significant distraction of having multiple
technologies all requiring consideration.
To further enhance your modeling experience, you can hide complete Perspective sets or individual technologies using
the customization wizard. As a huge boost to models encompassing several disciplines and modeling domains, hiding a
Perspective only removes it as an available tool, whilst all diagrams that already make use of the hidden technologies
will still render and work as normal.
The Model Wizard and the 'New Diagram' dialog also allow for swapping Perspectives on the fly, making it easy to find
and use the exact modeling tools required.

Switching Perspectives

System Perspectives

At Release 14.0, Enterprise Architect provides a rich set of Perspectives built directly into the application. These include:
· Business sets for Strategy, BPMN, Business Analysis and more, helping the business user focus on their current task
· SysML, MBSE, Software, Simulation and others, for the Systems Engineer and Software Engineer

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User Guide - Perspectives 22 June, 2018

· Archimate, TOGAF, Zachman Framework and GRA-UML, version-specific sets that provide the most common
tools for the needs of Enterprise Architects
· SPEM, Process Guidance and MDG Technology Builder for Project Managers
For further information on the available Perspectives, see the Perspectives Help topic.

Personal Perspectives

There are over sixty pre-built perspectives but you are able to create any number of your own perspectives as well. These
are conveniently grouped into a My Perspective Set. Each set can contain any number of individual technologies. So if
you regularly create Prototypes for example you may want to create a Prototyping Perspective Set and include languages
and technologies that will be the things that you will use while wearing your prototyping hat. These Perspectives Sets
can be created, modified and deleted as the roles you perform change over time.

While the system (built-in) perspectives typically contain a single language or technology for example the BPMN
perspective allows you to focus on just BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation), Personal Perspectives allow you
to open a number of technologies at the same time. For example you may want to focus on Mind Mapping diagrams to
record information in Stakeholder meetings, BPMN to sketch out the processes and DMN (Decision Modeling Notation)
to model decisions. All three technologies can be included in a single Perspective entitled for example 'Process Analysis
and Modeling'

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User Guide - Perspectives 22 June, 2018

Types of Perspective
There are several types of Perspective provided within Enterprise Architect, each containing a suite of Patterns as
described here. Notice that there is a wide selection available, and that they can be accessed from a number of different
points. This makes it easy to start your work in the appropriate environment with the required Perspective from any
point, and to quickly and smoothly switch to a different Perspective if the need arises.

Access

Some access paths take you to the Perspectives Portal, and when you select a Perspective from that the Model Wizard
opens and you choose the appropriate Patterns from there. Other paths take you directly to the Model Wizard.

Ribbons Start > View > Perspective > Select a Perspective (takes you to the Perspective
Portal)
Show > Portals > Perspective > <perspective group> (takes you to the Model
Wizard)
Design > Package > Insert > Insert Using Model Wizard > Model Patterns >
Perspective

Context Menu Click on Package > Add a Model using Wizard > Model Patterns > Perspective

Other

Start Page > (takes you to the Perspective Portal) > <perspective
group> > <perspective> (takes you to the Model Wizard)

(Top right corner of screen) > > <perspective group> >

<perspective> (takes you to the Model Wizard)

Navigator Toolbar : : > <perspective group> > <perspective> (takes

you to the Model Wizard)

Perspectives

Category Perspectives

UML The UML category provides the Perspectives for normal UML modeling, including:
· All UML Modeling - all modeling tools and objects provided by the other
Perspectives in this group
· Structural - the modeling tools and objects for structural UML models, such as:
- Package diagrams
- Class diagrams
- Object diagrams
- Composite Structure diagrams
- Component diagrams

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- Deployment diagrams
· Behavioral - the modeling tools and objects for behavioral UML models, such
as:
- Use Case diagrams
- Sequence diagrams
- Timing diagrams
- Interaction Overview diagrams
- StateMachine diagrams
- Communication diagrams
- Activity diagrams

Strategy The Strategy category provides Perspectives for:

· Mind Maps - the basic Mind Map diagram
· Strategy modeling, such as:
- Organizational Charts
- Value Chains
- Strategy Maps
- Balanced Scorecards
- One-level and Two-level Flowcharts
- Decision Analyses with Trees and with Decision Tables
- SWOT Analyses
· Risk Analysis - the Risk Taxonomy Threat Community diagram

Analysis The Analysis category provides Perspectives for:

· White Boarding - diagram structures in Whiteboard and/or Hand-drawn mode
· Simple Analysis, based on a Two Activity Process
· Case Management Model & Notation (CMMN) analysis, with a:
- Claims Management example
- Basic 5-Task Plan
- Three Choice Tasks Pattern
- Two Phase Case Plan
· Erikson Penker modeling, the basic business process
· Web Modeling, based on a simple Java Server Page (JSP) model

Requirements The Requirements category provides Perspectives for:

· Creating a range of Requirement Hierarchy diagrams, and a Requirement
Specification View
· Working with Decision Modeling Notation (DMN) to:
- Create a simple Decision diagram with a Decision Table
- Set up a DMN Business Knowledge Model
- Model a DMN Decision
· Setting up a Business Rule model
· Setting up one-level and two-level Data Flow models

UX Design The UX Design category provides a number of Perspectives for modeling user
interfaces on various devices, including:
· Wireframing for various phone and tablet devices
· IFML Interaction flows on desktop applications, information entry, interaction
on wireframe devices, and information searches
· A basic Enterprise Architect user interface model for a window with lists and
combo boxes
· An alternative simple user interface

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· Win 32 User Interface modeling

Business Modeling The Business Modeling category provides these Perspectives:

· BPMN - Patterns for:
- BPMN 2.0 modeling
- BPEL 2.0 Starter model
· BPSim - Patterns for BPMN 2.0 and BPEL 2.0 modeling, plus:
- Patterns for Business Process Simulation (BPSim) constructs and
- Patterns for a number of BPSim Case Studies
· Business Model Patterns for Business Use Case models and Use Case
Realization
· Business Interaction model Patterns
· BABOK - a wide range of Patterns supporting models for:
- Strategies
- Collaboration activities
- Analyses
- Business Processes
- Project Management activities
- Standard business documents
· BIZBOK - Patterns for modeling BIZBOK activities

Software Engineering The Software Engineering category provides Perspectives for software
development, including:
· Code Engineering, modeling programs in a number of programming languages
· Service Oriented SOMF 2.1, for several Conceptual Association types
· SoaML, for modeling aspects of basic service provision
· XSLT Feature demonstrations, such as XSLT transforms and debugging
· ICONIX modeling
· GOF Patterns for Creational, Structural and Behavioral models

Systems Engineering The Systems Engineering category provides Perspectives to support systems
Engineering projects under:
· SysML1.5, with a wide range of Patterns for generating:
- Project structures
- Requirements diagrams
- Use Case diagrams
- Activity diagrams
- Block Definition diagrams
- Internal Block diagrams
- Parametric diagrams
- State Machine diagrams
- Libraries
- Model elements
- Modelica Case Studies
· UAF, with Patterns for:
- Strategic Views (St-xx)
- Operational Views (Op-xx)
- Services View (Sv-xx)
- Personnel Views (Pr-xx)
- Resources Views (Rs-xx)
- Security Views (Sc-xx)
- Projects Views (Pj-xx)
- Standards Views (Sd-xx)
- Actual Resources Views (Ar-xx)

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User Guide - Perspectives 22 June, 2018

- Dictionary View (Dc)

- Requirements View (Rq)
- Summary and Overview (SmOv)
- Information View (If)
- Parameters Views (Pm-xx)
- The SysML 1.5 sets (as listed, except for Modelica Case Studies)
· UPDM with Patterns for:
- UPDM Frameworks (DoDAF and MODAF)
- DoDAF All Viewpoints (AV-n)
- DoDAF Capability Viewpoints (CV-n)
- DoDAF Data and Information Viewpoints (DIV-n)
- DoDAF Operational Viewpoints (OV-n)
- DoDAF Project Viewpoints (PV-n)
- DoDAF Services Viewpoints (SvcV-n)
- DoDAF Standard Viewpoints (StdV-n)
- DoDAF Systems Viewpoints (SV-n)
- MODAF All Views (AV-n) Viewpoints
- MODAF Acquisition (AcV-n) Viewpoints
- MODAF Operational (OV-n) Viewpoints
- MODAF Service Oriented Views (SOV-n) Viewpoints
- MODAF Strategic Views (StV-n) Viewpoints
- MODAF System Viewpoints (SV-n)
- MODAF Technical Standards Views (TV-n) Viewpoints
· Executable State Machines, with various Patterns including a set to
demonstrate case studies

Database Engineering The Database Engineering category provides sets of Perspectives for modeling a
range of DBMS repositories, including:
· Starter Model and Model Structure Patterns for each of the main DBMSs
supported by Enterprise Architect
· Patterns for simple Entity Relationship models
· Patterns for simple ArcGIS projects and workspaces
· A simple EA Data Modeling diagram Pattern

Enterprise Architecture The Enterprise Architecture category provides a number of Perspectives for
Enterprise Architecture frameworks, including:
· ArchiMate, supplying Patterns for:
- Basic viewpoints such as Organization, Application Usage and Service
Realization
- Motivation Viewpoints such as for Stakeholders, Principles and
Requirements Realization
- Strategy Viewpoints
- Implementation and Migration Viewpoints
· TOGAF, with Patterns for:
- A Starter Model
- The Architecture Development Method
- The Enterprise Continuum
- The Technical Reference Model
- Catalogs
· Zachmann Framework
· GRA-UML annotations library and starter model

Information Exchange The Information Exchange category supports a number of built-in technologies,
providing Perspectives and basic model Patterns for:
· Ontology Definition (ODM)

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· Geographic GML
· Archetype Modeling Language
· NIEM 3.0, 3.1, 3.2 and 4.0 Reference Models and NIEM 3 and 4 starter models
· SIMF
· Universal Business Language
· UPCC 3.0
· UMM 2.0 Profile

Construction The Construction category provides these Perspectives:

· Project Roadmaps, for a range of management work areas
· Kanban workflows
· Document Publishing for types of Project document
· Dashboards and Charts for various scenarios
· Reviews and Discussions to define the structure and function of these team
collaboration activities
· Test Management to define how tests are planned and managed
· Change Management to define a model for managing issues and changes
· Resource Management to define how resources are identified and managed
· Legends to define how diagram legends are set up and used

Management The Management category provides Perspectives to support:

· SPEM
· Process Guidance - working up process templates
· The Enterprise Architect Script Library
· The MDG Technology Builder

My Perspectives The 'My Perspectives' category holds the Perspectives that you have created for
yourself, using the 'Start > View > Perspective > Customize List of Available
Perspectives' option. For further details, see the Managing Perspectives Help topic.

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Managing Perspectives
Whilst there is a huge range of Perspectives provided in Enterprise Architect, you might decide to create others more
specifically tailored to your area of work. Equally, you might prefer to filter this wide range of available Perspectives so
that only those you are likely to use are made visible. The methods for tailoring Perspectives to match your work
environment are described here.

Access

The access options display the 'Perspective Sets' dialog, through which you can both filter the existing Perspectives and
create customized Perspectives.

Ribbon Start > View > Perspective > Customize List of Available Perspectives
Design > Diagram > Insert > 'Hamburger' icon > Manage > Customize

Other
(Top right corner of screen) > > Manage > Customize

Filter Perspectives Listed

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When the 'Perspective Sets' dialog displays, it defaults to the 'Global Perspectives' tab. You use this tab to exclude
Perspectives - or even whole categories of Perspective - from display in the Model Wizard and
selection lists.
If you want to exclude a complete category of Perspectives, deselect the checkbox against that category in the
'Perspective Sets' panel.
Otherwise, if you want to just exclude individual Perspectives, click on the parent Perspective Set name and deselect the
checkbox against the Perspective name in the 'Perspectives' panel. In this illustration, the CMMN and Erikson-Penker
Model Perspectives have been excluded from display.

Note that if you exclude a category of Perspectives, the checkboxes against the individual member Perspectives remain
selected. However, the Perspectives do not show in the selection lists of Perspectives.
If you decide to show any excluded Perspectives again, return to the dialog and select the appropriate checkboxes.
Alternatively, to show all excluded Perspectives again, either:
· Click on the Reset button on the 'Perspective Sets' dialog, or

· Click on the button and select the 'Manage > Show All Perspectives' option

Create Custom Perspective

On the 'Perspective Sets' dialog, click on the 'My Perspectives' tab.

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Step Action

1 Click on the New button. The 'Select MDG Technologies' dialog displays.

2 In the 'Set Name' field, type a name for the custom Perspective. Then select the 'Add' checkbox against
each MDG Technology to make visible.

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You can click on the All button and then deselect the checkbox against each Technology to hide, or click
on the None button to clear all selected checkboxes and then re-select those against Technologies you
want to keep visible.
If you want to group your selections by Technology, click on the 'Group Categories by Technology'
checkbox.

3 When you have added the necessary Technologies to the Perspective, click on the OK button. The
Perspective name displays in the 'Create Perspective' panel, and the Technologies in the Perspective are
listed in the 'MDG Technologies' panel in alphabetical order.
Notice that all buttons at the bottom of the window are now enabled.

4 If you prefer to:

· List the Technologies in the Perspective in a different sequence, click on each Technology name in
turn and use the green Up Arrow button and Down Arrow button to move the Technology name to
the correct position in the sequence
· Remove a Technology from the Perspective, click on the Technology name and click on the X button
to redisplay the 'Select MDG Technologies' dialog, listing just the Technologies that are in the
Perspective; clear the 'Add' checkbox against the Technology to be removed, and click on the OK
button
· Add another Technology to the Perspective, click on the + button to redisplay the 'Select MDG
Technologies' dialog, listing the Technologies that are not already in the set; select the 'Add'
checkbox against the required Technology, and click on the OK button

5 Click on the Save button and, if you have finished setting up or changing a Perspective, click on the Close
button.

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Revert to General Pattern Lists

If you have been working within a specialized Perspective, such as SIMF or a customized Perspective, and you want to
return to a non-specific environment, simply select the 'Start > View > Perspective > Clear Current Perspective' ribbon
option.

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