What does UML modeling do for my site?

The most important part of creating a web site is to fully understand the requirements of the customer. Sometimes the requirements are not fully understood before development begins and this leads to time and effort wasted and higher costs (see Be Agile). The best way to understand the requirements is with a visual model. Using the activity model the functions of the site can be laid out clearly. Modeling lends a clarity to the design of the site and the Activity model builds on the Business Process model with a flow chart like view of the activities of the site. This model can be easily be produced by a non-technical web site designer.

This model details functions the site is to perform and helps the designer to plan the layout of pages and page design from a visual understanding of the requirements. Another reason to do a visual model is that it documents the site. What the site does, what sections of the site do and how it all fits together with the graphic design and user interface design. When creating a model documentation is also being created at the same time and rework and changes to the requirements can be more easily understood and updated in the design.

The Activity model shows the steps, more like a flow chart, that will take place as the customer browses the site. Another way to view these same activities is to use swim lanes. Swim lanes allow the web developer to view the activities as they relate to different processes that the site uses. With swim lanes the crossover between departments or functions are shown. It is easy to see areas where activity is to heavily concentrated or where there is a lot of crossover between different area's that may be counterproductive to the business/site goals. If you move your cursor over the activity model you will see the same model shown with swim lanes. The two models on this page were created using the Sparx System, Inc, Enterprise Architect UML Modeling System. The models themselves were created by me.

Activity Model and Activity with SwimLanes

 

 

 

 

© Copyright 2008, Lonnie Percent The information provided in this site is for informational purposes only. The information is provided “as is” with in implied or expressed warranty for accuracy. The content within may be distributed for non-commercial and educational purposes only.