Frequently Asked Questions
Where does GRADE rank in terms of competitive products?
Answer: GRADE ranks at the top end of the graphical modeling and simulation
tools
specifically designed for analyzing and describing complex domains as they are or should be in a systematic manner safeguarding consistency. The
closest competitor would be the ARIS Toolset.
Why do I need GRADE if I have Visio?
Answer: For small and/or simple models Visio is sufficient.
But, if the complexity of your model is such that you have
problems keeping it consistent and clear enough for others to understand it, or
if you need certain results obtainable via simulation of the model, then Visio is
insufficient; in such cases you will benefit from GRADE.
What distinguishes GRADE from other modeling
tools?
Answer: GRADE offers unique a combination of features in one
integrated tool:
-
The capacity for modeling extremely large
and complex systems. For example, you can model a database
containing several thousand elements.
-
The capacity for exporting models to HTML.
That way, your diagrams can be shared with others via the Internet
or your company’s intranet.
-
The capacity for exporting models to Rational
Rose, the popular UML modeling tool. Once these models are
converted, you can use Rational Rose for detailed design and
code generation.
-
The implementation of
prize-winning layout algorithms. In practical terms,
this means you can add a new element to even a very large diagram,
and watch GRADE instantly reposition the other diagram elements
as needed.
-
Use of integrated modeling. GRADE lets
you model the total system in an integrated manner by combining
all relevant aspects in a single model.
-
Use of an easy to understand graphical language
with defined semantics and syntax. This language makes the simulation
of a system, and statistics gathering, possible.
-
Use of a data dictionary (see also the
question about data dictionary).
-
The capacity for turning
your model into a talking presentation. Select the presentation
diagram, activate Play, then sit back and listen to your
model talk.
There are plenty of good tools on the
market, so who needs GRADE?
Answer: Most of the good tools have been conceived by software
people for developing software in the fastest most efficient manner, leaving it
up to the imagination of the software designer what the software should do.
By contrast, GRADE lets you create models that depict all
relevant aspects of a sociotechnological system, including the people factor.
That way, you can design software that supports the user better in performing
his work.
Is GRADE Object-oriented?
Answer: Yes, in-so-far as analyzing and modeling a system is
concerned; no, as regards some of the OO programming concepts and terminology.
What does it take to learn
GRADE?
Answer: Typically, a one-day course is sufficient to learn to use the tool for
modeling. An additional day is required to learn to prepare a model for
simulation and run a simulation on it.
A motivated analyst can become proficient in modeling with GRADE in about one
to two weeks. No formal training is essential, since the documentation teaches
you how to use GRADE in a step-by-step approach.
Modeling a complex domain, however, requires system analysis
experience. Universities take a full semester to teach students system analysis
with GRADE.
What is so special about the
data dictionary?
Answer: The data dictionary makes your work with
GRADE easier in the following ways:
-
It provides an overview of all names in the model (or, if you wish, you can
generate a filtered list that displays only particular name types/name
patterns). That way, you can instantly identify all diagrams where a particular
name is defined or referenced.
-
It allows easy navigation to the diagrams
where a given name is found and vice versa: You can navigate from a diagram back
to the dictionary.
-
In case you are using GRADE to perform syntax analysis,
the dictionary provides an overview of errors and warnings and easy navigation
to the corresponding diagrams.
-
It allows you to make selective or global name changes; for example, to change a name that appears in your model 236 times, you
need change it only once in the dictionary.
-
It allows you to copy the
contents of the dictionary in table format (enabling further analysis in
Microsoft Excel).
-
It allows you to delete names no longer used.
-
It
provides the "pick name" function for reusing names already found in
the model. This ensures better model consistency.
-
It tells you who created a diagram and when.
What is meant by GRADE's excellent
diagram layout facilities?
Answer: It means that GRADE gives you maximum flexibility to choose the
layout mode you need:
- Fully automatic layout of, for example, database browser diagrams (this
allows you to discover hidden "clusters" in your data).
- Semi-automatic algorithms that maintain order in your diagrams; as you draw,
diagram elements will be repositioned automatically to avert overlapping,
excessive line intersections, etc.
- 100% manual drawing mode allowing positioning diagram elements manually to
fine-tune your diagram layout.
Comparable products currently support only one or two of the above-mentioned
capabilities.
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