Welcome to Atoll Architect! This guide will help you create your first ArchiMate diagram and understand the fundamentals of enterprise architecture modeling.
What is ArchiMate?
ArchiMate is an open and independent enterprise architecture modeling language that provides a common language for describing, analyzing, and visualizing architecture across business domains. Think of it as a standardized way to communicate complex architectural concepts clearly.
Why Use ArchiMate?
- Standardized Notation: Industry-standard symbols and relationships that everyone understands
- Cross-Domain Modeling: Model business, application, technology, and implementation layers in one unified model
- Clear Communication: Bridge the gap between business stakeholders and technical teams
- Comprehensive Views: Create different views of your architecture for different audiences
Creating Your First Diagram
Getting started with Atoll Architect is simple:
1. Create a New Model
Start by creating a new architecture model in your workspace. Each model represents a complete architecture landscape that can contain multiple diagrams.
2. Choose Your View Type
ArchiMate supports different types of views:
- Business Layer: Business processes, actors, and services
- Application Layer: Application components and interfaces
- Technology Layer: Infrastructure, devices, and networks
- Implementation Layer: Deliverables, work packages, and plateaus
3. Add Elements
Drag and drop ArchiMate elements onto your canvas:
Business Actor → Business Process → Application Service → Application Component
Each element has specific semantics in ArchiMate. For example:
- Business Actor: An organizational entity capable of performing behavior
- Business Process: A sequence of business behaviors that achieves a specific outcome
- Application Service: An explicitly defined exposed application behavior
4. Create Relationships
Connect your elements with ArchiMate relationships:
- Composition: Element is composed of other elements
- Aggregation: Element groups other elements
- Serving: Element serves another element
- Realization: Element realizes another element
- Flow: Flow of information or goods between elements
Best Practices
Here are some tips to create effective ArchiMate diagrams:
Keep It Simple
Don't try to model everything at once. Start with a focused view that answers a specific question or addresses a particular concern.
Use Layers Appropriately
Respect the ArchiMate layering:
- Strategy Layer (top): Goals, capabilities, resources
- Business Layer: Business services and processes
- Application Layer: Application services and components
- Technology Layer: Technology services and infrastructure
- Physical Layer (bottom): Physical equipment and facilities
Be Consistent
- Use consistent naming conventions
- Apply the same level of detail across similar elements
- Use colors meaningfully (group related elements)
Model for Your Audience
Different stakeholders need different views:
- Executives: High-level strategy and capability maps
- Business: Process and service views
- IT: Application and technology architecture
- Project Teams: Implementation and migration views
Collaboration Features
Atoll Architect makes team collaboration seamless:
- Shared Models: Invite team members to collaborate on models
- Branches: Create future-state scenarios without affecting current state
- Gap Analysis: Compare branches to identify changes
- Version History: Track changes over time
Next Steps
Now that you understand the basics:
- Explore the ArchiMate metamodel in our documentation
- Try creating different view types
- Use model branching to explore future scenarios
- Share your models with your team
Happy modeling! If you have questions or need help, reach out to our support team at support@atollarchitect.com.
Additional Resources
- ArchiMate 3.2 Specification
- The Open Group ArchiMate Forum
- Atoll Architect Documentation (coming soon)
This article was last updated on January 6, 2026.