Abstract

Model Driven Development of ArcGIS Geodatabases with UML 2
Track: Database Design and Management
Authors: Ben Constable

UML 2 is a leading notation for describing system architectures. Its use for the design of ArcGIS 10.x databases offers several important benefits including:

Better management of complexity of modern systems, through a well-established visual approach to design;
Automated generation of geodatabase schemas to enhance productivity;
Improved ability to reuse and understand existing or legacy geodatabase schemas;
Potential for aligning spatial databases with international standards;
Upstream and downstream traceability between GIS blueprints and enterprise models. For geodatabase experts, this provides potential to connect more effectively with stakeholders, system and enterprise architects and business analysts. Traceability also enables auditing and demonstrates the alignment of GIS developments with business goals and corporate strategy.

This presentation introduces a UML 2 profile and associated patterns and techniques for modeling ArcGIS 10.x schemas. By means of the profile, ArcGIS users can leverage modern UML tools to model, forward and reverse engineer geodatabase designs for ArcGIS.