MID Modeling Methodology M³

Efficient Development Processes with Methods

MID's modeling specialists can use the MID Modeling Methodology M³ to react to the steadily increasing pressure of time and the pressure to succeed when implementing complex projects. With the methodology, companies are provided with a structured guidance for implementing and documenting successful IT projects.

The Methods to Success

M³ systematically describes the individual process steps, modeling levels and roles, from the project idea right through to code. It uses its extensive, conceptional approach to improve the quality of software. M³ forms the basis for all of MID's consultancy and training offers.

The MID Modeling Methodology M³ is linked with V-Modell®XT standards and Unified Modeling Language (UML), but also allows the user to start planning their projects earlier on. It also offers more detailed and exact definitions and rules for using the available inventory of notations.

M³ is geared towards MID's modeling platform, Innovator, but can also be used with other tools.

M³ enables planning reliability and can lead to an accelerated return on investment. The early and comprehensive documenting of the development process enables investments and the evaluation of success of a project’s progress to be controlled precisely.

“The MID Modeling Methodology M³, inspired from classic engineering technololgy, is the result of over 25 years of experience in software development and is based on successful and tried and tested methods. In times of continuing cost and time pressures in software development, we provide our customers with reliable and accurate methodologies, as well as a modeling platform, for successful project implementation.”

Andreas Ditze, Managing Director and Principal Consultant

MID Modeling Methodology M³ map showing an example of an application path

Properties

The MID Modeling Methodology M³ contains the following features:

Business-Driven Development

Unlike other methodologies, M³ is already applied before the actual development work takes place. This means that the most complete overall picture of all departments involved and business processes is obtained right from the beginning and all requirements can be incorporated into the project. With reference to the last point, M³ contributes towards increased internal acceptance and increased close cooperation from all stakeholders in the company.

Support of Process Models, Such as V-Modell®XT

M³ supports process models and quality standards such as V-Modell®XT (process model), SPICE (Software Process Improvement and Capability Determination) and CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integration) by linking their products (documents, topics), activities and roles.

V-Modell®XT has achieved enormous significance as an important piece of equipment for project management within Federal agencies. M³ uses interfaces with V-Modell®XT and systematizes UML 2.

M³ also provides a full documentation covering project results with models, which allows the user to be consistent and to have freedom from redundancies and reusability, which safeguards investments made in the project.

Consistent Implementation of Model-Based Ideas, Including MDA

M³ is model-driven, i.e. all important project matters are covered using modeling tools such as Innovator and, if necessary, used to derive other project results. This particularly applies to transitions between project phases, e.g. from business process to system requirements, from design to code or, needless to say, from model to document.

The main feature of M³ is its focus towards MDA (Model Driven Architecture), as it does not produce paper documents when relaying results during its application. During MDA application on typical process models, the automatic creation of documentation from models adopts a key role.

Customizable to Customer Processes

Even though a methodology depicts a benchmark, it should also offer certain room for maneuver when adapting to technological areas of expertise, as well as processes within the company, without losing the methodology's identity. M³ is modeled directly in Innovator, which means that project and customer needs can be customized. The methodology sets the limits for specific processes. The aim is to standardize all processes.

M³ Phases and Modeling Purpose

Each phase of the MID Modeling Methodology makes specific views and aspects the subject of modeling. Transitions can, for the most part, be carried out generatively , whereas their contents can be and needs to be adapted to the project’s requirements.

Phases and topics of the MID Modeling Methodology M³

Initiation Plan

Processes from the customer view

Internal and external people/things involved in the process

Existing and planned IT infrastructures

Evaluation Plan

Requirements for a single IT system

Selective transfer of information from the initiation plan

Rough outline of problem areas

Projection Plan

3-layered architecture

Component-oriented design

Specification of interaction between system elements

Construction Plan

Class design according to EJB-3 specification

Consideration of platform-specific criteria

Code generation

Results

The following findings are available at this point in time. Just because the results are available does not mean that development of M³ has come to an end.

Documentation and Repository for the MID Modeling Methodology M³

Documentation of the complete development process, model structures, roles involved and products created in a document are combined as important results for M³ (see below for detailed M³ documentation).

Profiles for all Innovator Editions

Necessity for differentiating between diagrams in respective segments became ever more apparent during development of the methodology. This means that all UML diagrams only exist in the respective profiles below those stereotypes defined in the methodology. An interpretation of the diagram contents always occurs within the respective area of application, which occurs within diagram constraint and specialization.

Guiding the User through the Project

Classification of M³’s development in MID’s project areas also happened with the aim of compiling the highest possible synergy for the main product, Innovator. During M³ application in MID, the support which Innovator affords is increasingly geared towards M³. M³ consequently depicts the business process behind Innovator.

Revised Demo Example

Each methodology also has a complete example which shows the application of the MID Modeling Methodology M³ in a clear and concise manner. This example is included within all Innovator installations from version 10.0.2 on and replaces previous example models.