Configuration Control of Architecture Models

1. Configuration Control of Architecture Models Dr. Ron Carson John Herrold Michael Crow The Boeing Company

2. Discussion Topics 1. How are models used in your organization today? 2. How are they managed/controlled today? 3. What are the problems in model management today? 4. What do you think are the solutions to the problem?

3. Underlying Objectives Establish purposes of configuration control of models in architecting (use cases) Establish measures of effectiveness of configuration control of models in architecting Quality attributes of configuration control Configuration control completeness Defects in configuration control

4. Elements and Features of Models Objects Relationships Vertical – parent/child Horizontal – e.g., functionsrequirements Configuration control of Objects Control by self or by parent or owner? Relationships Control by self, “owner”, “defining”, “complying” object? Event or time-sequenced configuration control Functional/Logical: Parentchild (left-side-of-V) Physical: Childparent (right-side-of-V) A sibling Parent (same or different type) Child of a different parent

5. Model Management Use Cases – 1 Develop architecture (left side of V) “Freeze” requirements, functions, logical architecture elements, interfaces at specified levels prior to going to next-lower level “Design review” sequence Synchronize at each level (horizontal integration) Allow lower-level items to be changed until baselined Enables sequential, tiered architecting Measures: Number of functional and logical objects under control Number of relationships under control % objects appropriately under control (maturity check) % relationships appropriately under control Sibling Sibling Child Child Child Child Child Child

6. Model Management Use Cases – 2 Maintain configuration control of design (right side of V) Manage functions, logical elements, at higher levels Manage effects of changes at lower levels E.g., Part substitutions Measures Number and % of physical objects under configuration control (by level) Sibling Sibling Child Child Child Child Child Child

7. Model Management Use Cases – 3 Maintain multiple versions concurrently Establish controlled object Establish controlled, alternative objects Establish compatibility of multiple objects Measures Number of available versions of any object (1,*) Accuracy of version assignment to configuration or “baseline” Consistency of version assignments to baseline across all objects Sibling Sibling Child Alt. Child Child Child Child Child

8. Satisfying Objectives Establish purposes of configuration control of models in architecting (use cases) Are there more use cases to consider? Establish measures of effectiveness of configuration control of models in architecting Quality attributes of configuration control Configuration control completeness Are we controlling the right things at the right times? Levels Links and relationships Children / parents Defect management Uncontrolled, or prematurely controlled Incompletely controlled (see completeness) “Size” – number of versions for any object Related artifacts