System Environment (Context) Viewpoint

This viewpoint provides the instructions to create the System Environment View in a System Description.

The description of the environment provides the context for the system-of-interest. This context includes any external systems that impact or interact with the system-of-interest. This context may also be shaped by the system-of-interest through the various interactions of the system.

The key aspect of the environment is the value delivered by this system-of-interest to the environment.

This viewpoint is necessary to ensure that the impact of the environment on the system-of-interest and the impact of the system-of-interest on the environment is understood.

This two way interaction is the essence of the fit of the system-of-interest and the environment. This mutual causality establishes a level of interdependence both horizontally and vertically in the context of other systems.

The environment may also place constraints on the system-of-interest. These constraints are important looking at any of the capabilities / functions of the system.

The models that can be used to describe how the system-of-interest fits within the environment are:

• Conceptual Models (concepts and relationships) of other systems in the environment.
• The behavioural models can also be used in this section to support the development of the behavior view:
  • Activity Diagram
  • Causal Loop Diagram
  • Sequence Diagram.
  • State Machine Diagram

  These models help identify triggers and interactions (including interfaces) to systems in the environment.

• Identify or create a conceptual model of the context where the system-of-interest is situated.
  • Identify systems in the environment
  • Identify the system relationships for the relevant systems in the environment (logical model of environment)
• Identify the triggers and the resulting system interactions within the environment (this can look like the behavior (structural changes) view).
• Create any of the behavioural diagrams (if necessary) .. needed for the behavioural view.
• Review the various diagrams.

• There should be alignment with the environmental interactions and the various system properties.
• No new functions or properties should be identified
• All interactions of systems may have corresponding interactions with the relationships identified in this view.

UML References

Provide notes and background information to track any changes or other information.