Modeling Capability: 2 - Data Import

Model Reference
  • Description
  • Diagram Context
    • Data Import is essential to any enterprise modeling. It is simply not practical to enter tens (even hundreds of) thousands of data items into the repository manually. <br/><b><br/></b><b>Must</b> be able to:<br/><ul>
    <li>Create new Elements\Objects (with at least a Name)</li></ul>
    <ul>
    <li>Populate Element properties</li><li>Update the Element's Name and all properties</li><li>Create new relationships, including for existing Elements</li><li>Populate relationship properties</li><li>Update all relationship properties</li></ul>
    <b><br/></b><b>Should</b> be able to:<br/><ul>
    <li>Delete relationships</li></ul>
    <ul>
    <li>Import and Update Diagram Properties (or at least, update Diagram Names and Descriptions).</li></ul>
    <b><br/></b><b>Notes</b><br/>Import routines should also be subject to<br/><ul>
    <li>Data typing: importing data of the wrong type should be disallowed (e.g. a string into a Date Field)</li><li>Access control: data cannot be imported into elements that the user has no access to</li></ul><p/>
      Import all Data as Defined in the Meta-Model
      Must be able to import data into all data types that are defined in the meta-model. For example, all Entities (Objects, Elements), their properties and attributes, Relationships and relationship properties/attributes. Any formatting and data type restrictions must also be supported. <br/>
      Import Relationships
      It is essential that relationships between entities can be imported along with all relationship properties and attributes.<br/>
      Import can Update Existing Data
      Import must not be a one-off. Subsequent import to existing entities and relationships must be supported. This means that data, when imported, can either create new data or update existing data. By default, an update will replace existing data, except for relationships.<br/> <br/>With relationships, there should be a choice to either replace all existing relationships or add new relationships to what already exist. The replace option effectively means you are deleting relationships. There should, however, be an option to prevent this if those relationships are already visualized on a diagram.<br/>