Welcome to Module 5, the culminating stage of this use-case-driven, Agile-focused UML course. Here we shift from pure modeling to the living connection between models and executable reality. Having built the use-case driver (Module 2), the structural skeleton (Module 3), and the behavioral heartbeat (Module 4), we now focus on how these artifacts actively guide, evolve, and stay synchronized with working software in short, risk-driven Agile iterations.
This module is about architecture-centric development in practice: treating architecture not as a one-time up-front activity, but as a continuously evolving, just-in-time set of decisions and artifacts that reduce uncertainty, enable incremental delivery, and keep models and code aligned. We emphasize lightweight, purposeful use of UML to support forward engineering, reverse engineering, round-trip synchronization, design pattern application, and iterative release management—all within Visual Paradigm’s powerful tooling.
Core Themes of Module 5
- Architecture as Living Artifact Using the 4+1 views (or 5 views: Use Case, Logical/Design, Process, Implementation/Component, Deployment) as primary lenses that evolve with each sprint. Models are never “done”—they are maintained “just barely good enough” to attack current risks.
- Use-Case Realization through Collaborations Mapping use cases to design elements (classes, components, sequences) via collaboration diagrams and mechanisms (parameterized patterns).
- Agile Code Engineering Workflows
- Forward Engineering: Generate code stubs, skeletons, or full classes from UML models.
- Reverse Engineering: Reconstruct UML from existing codebases (legacy understanding, onboarding).
- Round-Trip Engineering: Keep models and source code in continuous sync during refactoring and feature addition.
- Design Patterns as Reusable Collaborations Modeling common solutions (Observer, Strategy, Factory, Microservices patterns) as parameterized collaborations that realize multiple use cases.
- Iterative Release Management Organizing models by sprint/release using packages, versioning, baselines, and model management features to support Agile delivery cadences.
Practical Examples of Architecture & Implementation Workflows in Action
- E-commerce Platform – Incremental Microservices Adoption
- Sprint 0: High-level component + deployment views realize core use cases (“Browse”, “Cart”, “Checkout”).
- Sprint 1: Forward engineer OrderService component → generate Spring Boot skeleton.
- Sprint 2: Reverse engineer legacy monolithic payment code → extract to PaymentService microservice.
- Ongoing: Round-trip sync when adding “Apply Coupon” use case → model updates → code updates → model refresh.
- Collaboration: «CouponApplication» mechanism reused across Checkout and Cart use cases.
- Mobile Banking App – Security Architecture Evolution
- Use Case View → Logical View: Class diagrams realize “Authenticate with MFA”.
- Process View: Sequence + state machine show token lifecycle.
- Implementation View: Component diagram isolates AuthService with required interfaces.
- Deployment View: Shows AuthService on secure cloud nodes with HSM.
- Forward: Generate JWT token handler code.
- Reverse: Import existing OAuth library → annotate with UML stereotypes for traceability.
- Healthcare Telemedicine Platform – Compliance-Driven Refactoring
- Profile with «PHI» stereotype applied to sensitive classes.
- Reverse engineer legacy EHR adapter → identify tight coupling.
- Introduce «Adapter» pattern collaboration → refactor to ports & adapters.
- Forward engineer new FHIR-compliant interface.
- Package by bounded context → version “PatientRegistration v1.0” baseline before Sprint 3 release.
- Task Management SaaS – Real-Time Collaboration Feature
- Use case “Real-time Card Update” realized by collaboration «WebSocketSync».
- Sequence diagram shows pub/sub pattern → forward to Node.js + Socket.IO stubs.
- Round-trip: Developer adds retry logic in code → reverse engineer back to sequence → update model.
- Deployment view evolves: add Redis pub/sub node for scale.
- Legacy ERP Modernization (Strangler Fig)
- Start with reverse-engineered class + package diagrams of monolith.
- Identify “Billing” bounded context → extract to new component.
- Create «LegacyAdapter» collaboration to bridge old/new.
- Iterative releases: new Billing microservice v0.1 (forward), v0.2 (round-trip after manual fixes), v1.0 (baseline).
- Use case view updated to point to new vs. legacy realizations.
- IoT Smart Home – OTA Firmware Update Workflow
- State machine for DeviceUpdate states.
- Interaction overview orchestrates handshake + download + verification.
- Forward engineer FirmwareUpdateService component.
- Reverse from existing embedded C code → align model with reality.
- Profile with «IoTDevice» stereotype tracks firmwareVersion tagged value.
Practical 5: Implementation in Visual Paradigm
In the hands-on sessions, you will:
- Realize use cases with collaboration diagrams and mechanisms (reusable patterns).
- Perform code generation (forward engineering) from class/component diagrams.
- Execute reverse engineering of Java/C#/Python code into UML.
- Establish round-trip engineering sync between model and code.
- Manage iterative releases using package versioning, baselines, and model structure by sprint/release.
- Use AI-assisted features to suggest pattern applications or generate initial code stubs.
By the end of Module 5, you will have bridged the gap between visual modeling and executable software in a truly Agile way: models support delivery, stay alive through round-trip, capture patterns as reusable assets, and evolve incrementally alongside working increments—ensuring architecture remains a force multiplier rather than a source of drag.
This completes the full lifecycle—from use-case-driven requirements to living, synchronized architecture and code—preparing you to apply these techniques confidently in real-world Agile projects.
Ready to proceed to the first section (“Architecture-Centric Development”) or expand on any example here?
