Analyzing a model element

We analyze a model element when we want to identify its related elements so as to foresee the potential impact that may cause on the model resulted by modifying the model element. The term "related" here represents any kinds of connection that can have between two elements, such as a general to-and-from relationship, a parent-child relationship, transitor, or even a sub-diagram relationship with a diagram.

To analyze a model element

By analyzing a model element, you can know its relationships with other elements. To analyze:

1. Right click on the diagram element we want to analyze, and select Related Elements > Analysis... from the pop-up menu.
   

   Analyze a diagram element

   NOTE:

   You can analyze a model element in Model Explorer by right clicking on the desired element node in Model Explorer, and selecting Analysis... from the popup menu.

2. The result of analysis will be presented in analysis diagram. In the Analysis dialog box, either select Create new diagram to present the result in a new analysis diagram, or select to present in an existing analysis diagram. The check boxes at the Analyse section governs the type(s) of relationship to be analyzed. Click OK when ready.
   

   Create a diagram, or select an existing analysis diagram to present the result

   
   

   Type Description Transitor The transited element of the chosen element, or the element where the chosen element was transited from Reference The shape or diagram references of the chosen element Parent-Child The parent (e.g. package) or the child of the chosen element Sub-diagram The sub-diagram(s) of the chosen element Relationship The relationship(s) of the chosen element, such as association, dependencies, sequence flow, etc Used The connection with the chosen element, other than any other kinds of relationship types. For example, requirement owned by use case added through use case description is a kind of Used relationship. View The view(s) of a model element, which can be seen as the shapes of a model element

   Kinds of relationships that can analyze

Reading analysis diagram

The result of analysis is shown in an analysis diagram.

An analysis diagram

The oval node at the center of diagram represents the element you have chosen to analyze, the connectors branching out are the relationships with the analyzing element and the nodes at the opposite end of connectors are the related elements.

Inside a node of a related element, you can see a tag (e.g. <<View>>), which represents the type of that related element. At the bottom part of a node box is the name of the related element.

By reading the diagram, you can identify the relationship of a model element, and determine the impact that may act upon the model when modifying the model element.