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  1. OMG Issue

UAF13 — Incorrect Use of MODAF::Viewpoint in Grid

  • Key: UAF13-153
  • Status: open  
  • Source: Eclectica Systems Ltd ( Nic Plum)
  • Summary:

    1.1 Overview of the Unified Architecture Framework p2 states:-

    'The UAF Grid (Figure 1:2) has rows that represent typical stakeholder domains (or viewpoints as they are called in UAF)'

    Figure 1:2 shows a left hand column which the callout labels as 'Viewpoints'. The cells identifiy 'View Specifications'

    This is clearly wrong and inconsistent with ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010. It looks as though the authors have not appreciated that 'viewpoint' for the leftmost column derives from the MODAF use of the term to collect together a group of architecture view definitions with a common theme. In the old ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010:2011 text this was referred to as an (architecture) perspective. In misusing 'viewpoint' this then left a problem of how to refer to the things that specify architecture view content (ISO42010:Architecture Viewpoint) and therefore another undefined term was added - 'view specification' which seems to mean the same thing as ISO42010:Architecture Viewpoint.

    The use of 'view specification' is further muddied by the DMM Figure 7-1 p13 which states that 'view specifications (cells) correspond to viewpoints'. This could be read a view specifications is a synonym for viewpoint.

    It's a mess. The easiest solution is to consistently use the ISO 42010 definitions and the names of the ISO 42010 concepts without alteration

    1) Eliminate any mention of 'view specification' where this refers to an artefact that specifies architecture view content. The correct term is 'Architecture Viewpoint' not 'Viewpoint' (as this is otherwise easily confused with other uses of the term).
    2) The use of Viewpoint in reference to the left hand column of the UAF Grid is incorrect - that is an inconsistent and incorrect and doesn't (as claimed) conform to ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010. The suggestion is 'Architecture Perspective'. 'Domain' often refers to other things. Whatever term is used it needs to be prefixed with 'Architecture' to separate it from the casual use of the term.
    3) Correct the names of the metamodel elements in the DMM. If you can't or won't, produce a mapping table that demonstrates the mapping and the equivalence to the standard.

    4) A viewpoint is not a 'stakeholder domain'. This seems to be using 'viewpoint' in another sense. It is also not a synonm for 'domain'. The cells identifiy 'architecture viewpoints' - specifications against which architecture views are created and interpreted.

  • Reported: UAF 1.2 — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 09:01 GMT
  • Updated: Mon, 22 Apr 2024 15:52 GMT