TOOLS: Modelling Tools Hot Topics

The main (hot) topics for any modelling tool include:

- How to organize hierarchically information (eventually, segregate model info by SW life cycle phase plus, RFP, Proposal packages)
- UML Support: New packages, new subpackages; new [UML] diagrams; new [UML] elements; establish relationships between them (UML relationships, several types: agreggation, composition, generalization, simple trace, ...);
- How to store requirements information: features (requested, proposed), requirements (several types); features and requirements are not part of the initial UML spec so the tools will support them differently (with some kind of stereotyped UML element most probably); if applicable: How to store testing information (the spec as well as test results including evidences and created issues) - typically for this, test management tools will be used.

- How to create traceability matrices. How to export them (to Word, CSV / Excel, ...)

- How to perform traceability analysis (what relates to what; where is it stored in the model, ...), including gap analysis
- How to draw basic UML diagrams: Some are simpler than other: class, sequence, object, package, deployment, use case, state machine, activity, communication, composite structure, component, interaction overview, and timing diagrams (Tip: See "UML Distilled")
- How to capture sequence diagrams from executable code
- Team conventions for the model: package names, UML Element identifiers (requirements, UML components), ...

If you know how to do this in your UML Modelling tool then you're ready to start modelling.

Advanced tasks for team leaders might also include:
- How to generate documentation from the model (HTML, doc, xls, PDF, more)
- How to reverse engineer: Code, physical database models, Web Services, XML...
- How to forward engineer (classes to code skeletons; tables to DDL SQL, ...)

Additional tasks to be performed:
- How to create a collaborative (centralized) model from scratch
- How to baseline the model (per milestone) and perform backups
- How to activate and configure security (roles, users, authorization)
- How to activate and read audit logs (activity logs, per user)
- How to import and export from the model to other UML tools (XMI support) - either the full model or parts of it

If you know how to do these latter tasks, you're ready to help / manage teams doing modelling.

Modelling tools include Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect (EA), MagicDraw, ...
(Click here for EA additional documentation).

(@2016-07-26: Updated task grouping; minor rephrases/typos; 2016-11-17: EA add. doc. link)