ArchiMate Notation Quick Reference
ArchiMate 3.2 uses a standardized set of iconography and colors to help architects describe enterprise structures unambiguously. While colors do not have formal semantics, the standard applies them to distinguish layers, while corners and shapes indicate the functional aspect of an element.
1. Notational Cues (Aspects and Layers)
- Corner Cues:
- Square Corners: Denote Structure Elements (nouns).
- Round Corners: Denote Behavior Elements (verbs).
- Diagonal Corners: Denote Motivation Elements.
- Standard Layer Colors:
- Yellow: Business Layer.
- Blue/Turquoise: Application Layer.
- Green: Technology and Physical Layers.
- Purple: Motivation Aspect.
- Tan: Strategy Layer.
2. Core Layer Elements
| Layer | Active Structure (Subjects) | Behavior (Actions) | Passive Structure (Objects) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business | Business Actor, Role, Collaboration, Interface. | Business Process, Function, Interaction, Service, Event. | Business Object, Contract, Representation. |
| Application | Application Component, Collaboration, Interface. | Application Function, Interaction, Service, Process, Event. | Data Object. |
| Technology | Node, Device, System Software, Network. | Technology Function, Service, Interaction, Process, Event. | Artifact. |
3. Strategic and Motivation Elements
- Strategy Layer: Includes Resource (asset), Capability (ability), and Course of Action (plan).
- Motivation Aspect: Captures the “why” via Stakeholder, Driver, Assessment, Goal, Outcome, Principle, Requirement, Constraint, Meaning, and Value.
- Physical Elements: Extension of the Technology layer including Equipment, Facility, Material, and Distribution Network.
4. Relationship Notations
ArchiMate relationships are classified into four categories to model links between concepts:
| Category | Relationship | Notation Description |
|---|---|---|
| Structural | Composition | Solid line with a filled diamond; source consists of target. |
| Aggregation | Solid line with an open diamond; source combines target. | |
| Assignment | Solid line with a filled circle at the source end; denotes performance/responsibility. | |
| Realization | Dashed line with an open arrowhead; tangible entity implements abstract one. | |
| Dependency | Serving | Solid line with an open arrowhead; one element provides functionality to another. |
| Access | Dotted line with optional arrowhead; denotes creation/usage of passive structures. | |
| Influence | Dashed line with optional “+” or “-“ sign; models impact on motivation elements. | |
| Dynamic | Triggering | Solid line with a filled arrowhead; temporal or causal link. |
| Flow | Dashed line with a filled arrowhead; transfer from one element to another. | |
| Other | Specialization | Solid line with an open arrowhead; one element is a kind of another. |
| Association | Solid line (undirected by default); unspecified relationship. | |
| Junction | Used to connect relationships of the same type; filled circle (And) or open circle (Or). |
5. Alternative Notations
- Nesting: Placing an element inside another serves as an alternative to explicit Structural Relationships like composition, aggregation, or assignment.
- AI Automation: Visual Paradigm’s AI Diagram Generator can automatically apply these notations, symbols, and relationship rules based on natural language prompts, ensuring syntactic compliance with the ArchiMate 3.2 standard.
