Series 2 - Sparx Basics

After getting started in Sparx Enterprise Architect, we get into the basics of Sparx EA. These are "how to" sessions on various UML Modeling approaches. We also expand on some of the Sparx Tooling a bit more. In 2023 our work was based on Sparx EA Version 16 which had multiple builds. You can get directly to our Playlists from 

The Basics Covered Here!

(e2) In "Sparx EA Toolbox", we introduce what I believe is the single most important window (widget) you need in modeling. Without this, how do you draw (model) anything? In this session we will focus on the Sparx Enterprise Architect (EA) Toolbox. We will expose Sparx Systems Help, Getting the Toolbox, Toolbox Placement, Toolbox Labels, and the ability to find and use the various Toolboxes (Recap).

(e3) As for "Our First Sparx Project Ideation", in this session we are going to carry on with our series on using Sparx Enterprise Architect to build and deliver a real project, starting with Ideation. We will introduce Requirement Element Types and Concepts. We will customize the Requirement Element, start a Kanban, and set up our proof-of-concept tooling (Closing).

(e4) Next is "YouTube Content Delivery With UML" where we are going to have some fun. I need a break from other sharing 😉

Here I will show you  how I use UML (Unified Modeling Language) and CASE (Computer Aided Software/System Engineering) to create and manage your content. I have used these patterns for years to delivery Presentations and other content. Now I reuse them for my YouTube Channel (Closing).

(e5) To save you time and effort, next we produced "Sparx EA Working Sets and Shortcuts". Save valuable labor time and money!! In this session I will show you how to quickly get back to work or collaborate with others, in Sparx Enterprise Architect (EA), using Working Sets and Shortcuts. This is very effective in saving labor and working more productively. It's a fantastic time saver (Recap).

(e6) In "Bring In Your Own Images for Modeling" we will bring in our own images to use as alternatives to elements in Sparx Enterprise Architect (EA) Diagrams. You will learn how to import other images and reference data, and you will learn how to effectively manage your image library.

(e7) In "Building a Simple Reusable Pattern" we will build and reuse a simple reusable pattern. You will find you are constantly having to repeat certain things (actions) when modeling. A "pattern" is something that has been done successfully more than twice. An "anti-pattern" is something that is done more than twice unsuccessfully. So let us repeat our successes.

(e8) With "Model-Driven Gaming" this is a fun way to introduce UML State Machine diagrams and modeling techniques. I play a lot of games on my PC, and in training myself, I may model different repeatable patterns to support my game experience and learning. While you can turn this code into macros and game automation, if allowed on the game platform, I primarily do this as part of my documentation and understanding of the game development, rules, and practices. This helps to learn Game Theory, Game Design & Development, and basically how some Games work on PC, Console, or Mobile (Recap).

(e9) In "Managing Relations in Sparx EA (Set Visible Relations vs Link Relations)" we will talk about managing relationships between elements and connectors. Sparx Enterprise Architect (EA) Modelers have been trying to manage their "links" on connectors (associations, lines) using the "Set Visible Relationships" we learned about in the Layout Tab video. When attaching Notes and Constraint links to connectors, we need a different dialog box because we are not talking about Elements, but rather Connectors. This video should help you understand the differences Set Visible Relations versus Link Relations (Closing).

(e10) In "Sparx EA Strict Connector Syntax" we will talk about UML Strict Connector Syntax in Sparx Enterprise Architect (EA). Assembly connectors are only allowed between ports and not between Components directly. You can work around UML strict syntax, but it is not recommended. In this video, I will show you how to work around such constraints.

(e11) Understanding that Sparx EA is built on a SQL database, metadata is very important in model-driven design. Drawing cute pictures is one thing, managing your model data is the most important thing. In the "Sparx EA Properties Window" video we will talk about the Sparx EA Properties Window. We will step through different properties window views and tooling, which includes different tabs, capabilities in each, exposing compartments exposing more intelligence, and the power of data in modeling. We will talk about the order of intelligence in the stack of elements. In Software Properties, in the field of computer science and software development, properties often refer to attributes or characteristics of software objects, variables, or entities (Recap). 

(e12) In "Sparx EA Managing Baselines" we will demonstrate Sparx Enterprise Architect (EA) Baseline capabilities. If you do not know how to version your models or projects, you will learn various methods for starting a Baseline exercise. You will learn how to effectively version so you know where you are in your projects and have the abilities to fall back or go be to a particular versions. You may also get some best practices in managing your models and projects (Wrap up).

(e13) In the "User Interface Design with UML" video we will start a simple User Interface (UI) Design for Browser, Tablet, and Mobile Device User Interfaces, using UML. I will use Sparx Enterprise Architect (EA) because of its power, all-in-on features, and data management. However, you can use multiple modeling tools, such as Axure for UI/UX design and/or Lucidchart or even Draw.io for your UML and Block Diagrams. Since Sparx EA provides me everything under one tool belt, this session will be in Sparx EA UML platform.

(e14) "Sparx EA Glossary" is one of the best features in the Sparx platform. Using the Sparx Enterprise Architect (EA) Glossary dialog, you can create, maintain and delete definitions of terms used in your project, as a Glossary. When reviewing the Glossary terms, you can filter the list to display terms of a specific Type. Your terms are now represented in your models, reporting, and efforts. The Glossary can be shared across projects as a reusable asset. Most importantly, you can build a ubiquitous language to promote the use of a shared language between your stakeholders. The biggest plus is that we can use the Sparx SQL database outside of Sparx in other applications.

(e15) So "What Sparx Version Am I On?" In this video we answer this question. By the end of this video you will know at any time, what your licensed version is, what your database version schema is, and what Pro Cloud Server version you are connected to, if applicable (Closing). There will be deeper dives as we progress in this channel.

(e16) In our video on "What Am I Working On", we hope to answer this question, along with other questions such as, "Do you have constant interruptions that kills your momentum in delivery?" The answer is to "project manage" yourself. In this video we will touch on Explore Panel and Project Search capabilities. We will focus on the "Recent" category for Recent Diagrams, Recent Elements, and Recent Tasks. It's a fairly short clip and just the beginning of these capabilities.

(e17) In "Sparx EA Element Appearances" we will touch on changing the visual appearance of various UML elements (e.g., Notes, Class, Object, and Actor). You can set appearance for an element to show differently in each Diagram, depending on visualization objectives.

(e18) "Sparx EA Custom Drawing Style" is an important feature in Sparx EA as you can take any model and transform the original (or copy) into a custom view for non-technical stakeholders or marketing material, while maintaining the intelligence under each model element (Closing).

(e19) Now it's time to get into "Sparx EA UML Component Diagrams". In this session we will touch on the Unified Modeling Language's (UML) Component Diagrams to help support and facilitate our architecture objectives. We will use Sparx Enterprise Architect (EA), but this applies to any UML compliant tool. By the end you will understand what a Component Diagram and its Toolbox, how to use the tools, when to use the Component tools, and the benefits of Component Diagrams in Model-Driven Design and Development.

(e20) The subject of "Sparx EA Tagged Values" can be complex and intimidating at first. In this session we will touch on UML Tagged Values and their benefits in Model & Design. You will learn what a Tagged Value is, what they are used for, and how to add Tagged Values in Sparx Enterprise Architect (EA). Tagged Values are extremely important in modeling, design, development, testing, and deployment (Outro).

(e21) When people think of Legends, they think of references to colors or symbols in a diagram or slide. In "Sparx EA Legends", we will show how Sparx goes beyond such simple references. In this session we will introduce you to using Legends in Sparx Enterprise Architect (EA). You will learn what a Legend is, what it can be used for, and how to customize in order to tell your stories through Modeling. The primary purpose of a Legend in Sparx EA is to enhance the understanding of the diagram for the viewers by explaining the meaning of different elements present in the diagram. It helps users, especially those who are not familiar with the symbols or notations used in the diagram, to interpret the diagram correctly. We also will show you how to "reuse" the Legends you build as Patterns.

(e22) In "Sparx EA Using Tagged Values for Automation", we take what we learned in the previous Legends video, and drive automation in our models. In Unified Modeling Language (UML), a Tagged Value is a mechanism that allows you to attach additional information or data to model elements, in this case...a Legend. It can be used to extend the standard UML elements with custom attributes or metadata. In this session we will pick up where we left off in the previous "Sparx EA Legends" video. We will use UML Tagged Values to drive coloring from our Legends to our Models. We are touching the surface here and will expand on Tagged Values in future videos (Outro).

(e23) In "Sparx EA UML Use Case Diagrams Part 1" we start a basic understanding of Use Cases. In this first part of a multi-part series on Use Cases we will get you started on effectively understanding and using Use Cases. Still today, Use Cases are not done or used effectively. We hope to take you from basic understanding of UML Use Cases to creating Effective Use Cases, Models, and Delivery (Wrap up).

(e24) In our next video, "Sparx EA UML Use Case Diagrams Part 2" while in the last session (Part 1) we learned "What" a Use Case is used for and "Why" to build "Use Cases". In this session we are going to touch on "When" to create a Use Case and "How" to start your Use Case(s) while referencing some good Use Case examples by Sparx Enterprise Architect (EA). Thus, by the end of this video, you have learned more about Use Cases and their importance in delivering ANYTHING! (Outro)

(e25) Taking a break from Use Cases, in "Sparx EA Keyboard Shortcuts" we will expose my most used Sparx EA Keyboard Shortcuts. I am asked often how I model so fast, and answer is through Automation and Shortcut keys. My Keyboard allows me to program my shortcuts, as well as my Elgato Stream Deck. In addition, I developed my own NLP capabilities that allow me to speak to Sparx and have it do things for me, but I will get into that much later in this channel.

(e26) Back to Use Cases, in "Sparx EA UML Effective Use Cases Part 3.1" we will focus helping you accomplish Effective Use Cases. This is Part 3 of a multi-part series, and I decided to split Part 3 into 2 pieces (Part 3.1 & 3.2). Part 3.1 will introduce you to this concept, while Part 3.2 will demonstrate this approach in motion. We will start our Actor Catalog, Actor-Goal List, start our Briefs, create a Actor-Goal Report, and version our work.

(e27) In "Building Sparx Effective Use Cases Part 3.2" we will pick up where we left off in Part 3.1. This session focuses on actually building Effective Use Cases and will touch on building Scenarios using Sparx Enterprise Architect (EA). When done in Sparx, we now have portable and reusable model assets for our objectives and delivery. In this video we will complete our Use Case Briefs, create a new Report, talk about various levels of Use Cases, get into Scenario Builder (Structure Editor), and auto-generate our Activity Diagrams and Test Cases. We will also touch on Reuse capabilities (Outro).

(e28) In "Getting Started with Sparx EA Custom Reporting" we will touch on the simple basics. This is the first of many videos on Sparx Enterprise Architect (EA) Reporting. This video is for modelers that are not familiar with Report Writers. Here you will learn how to build a custom report from scratch. In this session we will touch on the basic things you need to know for starting Custom Reporting Templates (refer to Chapters below). There is no point to model over a SQL Database if you are not taking advantage of that data (intelligence). In later sessions we will extend this template and reuse in other Custom Reports and Reporting Fragments. Starting out in Sparx Reporting? Follow this Reporting Playlist. As we progress, we will be adding more content relevant to reporting, custom reporting, building templates, and more.

(e29) "Simple Sparx EA Reporting Basics Continued" assumes you are new to Sparx Enterprise Architect (EA) Custom Reporting and Report Writing. At the end of this video you should be able to quickly create reusable templates for your model and project delivery. In this session we will pick-up where we left off in the last video, Getting Started with Sparx EA Custom Reporting - The Basics. We will add more content (Sparx data) to a new report, including Connectors in a Source, Target, and Notes Table. This will make our report be more understandable to our readers. This Custom Report Template will be reusable across many Diagram Types and Package hierarchy. Whether you are reporting on a single package or parent package will multiple child packages, this template will work.

(e30) In "Adding Diagrams to our Custom Report" we pickup where we left off on the last Video, Simple Sparx EA Reporting Basics Continued. We will add a Diagram to our Report Template we have been building in this series. 

• You will learn how to bring diagrams into your reports, or hide them from such documentation. 

• You will learn how to start formatting your diagram placement (left, middle, right).

• You will learn how to start building template that supports simple and complicated package structures.

• You will build reports for Word, RTF, or PDF and view in Sparx or outside applications.

• You will learn how to start building reports that best tell your stories.

Outro

(e31) "Model-Driven Data Design - Part 1" is a quick start in model-driven data design. In this session we are going to replace popular Building a Data Model in Sparx EA Part 1 and fix some mistakes I made in drawing connector directions between tables. We will build a Data Model in Sparx Enterprise Architect (EA). We start to do this at the beginning of any project, especially when engineering scope and requirements. We will step through creating a Data Base (tables) from scratch and then actually building the SQL that can be executed in the SQL Studio of choice (Outro).

(e32) In "Model-Driven Data Design - Part 2" we will pick up from our Building a Data Model in Sparx EA Part 1 (Updated) session and add intelligence to, manage, and report on our Data Model. Here we are just touching on the subject of Data Modeling and show how simple it is for anyone to do this for creating SQL Tables in any SQL Data Technology, in Sparx Enterprise Architect (EA). We will see real-time collaboration in action, as well as the benefits of team modeling to speed up the delivery lifecycle (Outro).

(e33) We conclude our 3 part series on MDDD (Model Driven Data Design), or what I sometimes refer to as M3D. From scratch to production, learn how to do data design, deploy, and test. In "Model Driven Data Design - Part 3" we pickup from where we left off on Model-Driven Data Design - Part 2. This is a multi-part series on using Sparx Enterprise Architect UML drive our data design and deployment. Here we will simulate a project delivery, starting with Data (Information and Intelligence). We will work through simple requirements (nouns & verbs) as we form our data design and deployment.

(e34) Here we get into "Sparx EA Activity Simulation Explained - Part 1". In this session I have been asked to explain the Sparx EA "EAExample" project where Sparx provides Simulation examples, one being Order Processing. I will deploy that example using Sparx Create from Patterns feature. Then I will step through those Activity Diagrams and Simulations. In a following session I will build these models from scratch (Outro).

(e35) In "Sparx EA Activity Simulation Explained - Part 2" we pick up where we left off in Sparx Order Processing Activity Simulation Explained Part 1 referencing the EAExample models Sparx Enterprise Architect (EA) provides with every installation. We will step through building these models from scratch to help you understand how Activity Diagrams can be used to simulate your systems and architecture (Outro).

(e36) In "What are Sparx EA Activity Diagrams", the question is not really "What are Activity Diagrams" as much as what are Activity Diagrams used for. We should first start with what they are... Activity Diagrams are important diagrams for bringing Business Processes and flows together with Model-Driven Development and Test Driven Design. Activity Diagrams provide a visual representation of how different activities interact and how control flows through the system, making them valuable for communication and analysis during the design and development of systems and processes. In this session we will step through the most commonly used model elements for Activity Diagrams and touch on their usage (Outro). 

(e37) In "Enable Concise Diagram Navigation" we will talk about "Concise Diagram Navigation". Factory default installation of Sparx may have this turned on (checked) for you. I usually have this turned off. The difference is your Diagram tabs and how they are used when launching diagrams from within a diagram. When Concise Diagram Navigation is turned on, diagrams launch concisely in that Diagram Tab. When turned off, launching a diagram from within a diagram puts the Diagram in a separate tab. This is your preference, so configure accordingly.

(e38) For those not on the latest version of Sparx EA, 16.1, things change from earlier versions, such as Tabs, Ribbons, and Tools. So if on versions 13 to 16.0, getting to Model Document Elements may be a challenge. In "Access to Model Document Element" we will talk about the differences before and after Build 1625 on the Publish Tab and Model Reports' Model Documents control. In this session we will talk about the "Model Document" element and how to get to it a few ways. In later videos I will demonstrate the Model Document element and its use (Outro).

I will continue to add content to this Playlist as we progress. To see what's coming next, visit the Home Page and "In the Pipeline...".