For Amber models, the following view filters are available for performing basic analyses on the models. The view filters are located in the Generate/Present group on the Amber ribbon tab.
There are also advanced analysis functions for Amber: quantitative analyses and a simulator.
Dataflow view
The dataflow view visualizes the use of an item in the process. A dataflow from one action to another might exist when an item is modified during one action and read by the other action.
To create a dataflow view:
- Select an item in the diagram and click Amber > Dataflow in the ribbon.
All arrows on the path from actions that create or modify the item, to actions that use or delete the item, are displayed in red.
Precedence view
In an Amber model, the precedence view shows all possible preceding activities of a certain action according to the model.
To create a precedence view:
- Select an action in the model browser or in the diagram and click Amber > Precedence in the ribbon.
All actions preceding the selected one are displayed with colored borders and text. Actions that certainly precede are shown in red and the actions possibly preceding are green. The selected action has a blue border.
Assignment view
The assignment view shows the allocation of actors to actions in an Amber diagram. Hence, actors have to be specified in an actor diagram and entered in the properties of the actions.
To create an assignment view:
- Click Amber > Assignment in the ribbon and click the type of actor: Roles, Functions, Organizational units, Business functions, Systems, or Actors.
The colors of actions and interactions are those assigned to the actors in the actor diagram. If an actor does not have a background color, the view generates a color. Actions assigned to more than one actor will show all colors. Unassigned actions do not change color. You can use multiple assignment views at the same time.
Give all actors a different color before using the assignment view.
By placing the actor diagram and process diagram below each other when creating an assignment view, you have a good overview. To position both diagrams below each other, click Window > Stacked in the ribbon.
Like for the color view, the coloring of sub-processes for the assignment view can be specified at the graphics options for diagrams and views.
Lanes view
The lanes view splits the actions in an Amber diagram into lanes (sub-processes) based on the action properties.
To create a lanes view:
- Select a diagram and click Amber > Lanes view in the ribbon.
- Select the properties that separate the diagram into lanes. For example, the roles that are involved in activities.
For each property value, a lane is defined. The lanes are displayed in the window in alphabetical order. If necessary, you can alter the sequence by using the arrows to shift the lanes up or down.
This view adds a new process diagram to the model, which can be used and altered like any other diagram. You can choose if the lanes should be horizontal (default) or vertical. You can also choose whether the new diagram should be saved with the model. If you do not choose this option, the diagram will not be saved. You can always save the lanes diagram afterward by copying it into a new process diagram.
Lanes can also be generated for numerical properties, such as completion times or costs. For a useful result, it is necessary that just a few different values be distinguished. Otherwise, there will be a large number of lanes that result in an unclear diagram.
This view combines very well with other views, such as the color view. An example is a color view on systems in a lanes diagram on roles.
Restrictions
There are some restrictions on the lanes view:
- It cannot be used in a diagram with replicated sub-processes. To use lanes, the replication has to be removed.
- This view arranges a diagram into lanes. An existing arrangement into sub-processes is not taken into account.
- A new process diagram is generated next to the existing ones. Enterprise Studio does not support mutual consistency. That is, modifications in one diagram are not passed onto others.
- The layout of the lanes diagram is automatically generated by Enterprise Studio (the arrangement of sub-processes, actions, and arrows). Sometimes some modifications will be necessary.
Organigram
The layering of an Amber model for actors can be made visible by using the Organigram. An organigram shows the hierarchical structure of actors and subactors.
To create an organigram:
- Select an actor in the open diagram or in the model browser and click Amber > Organigram in the ribbon.
The organigram of the actor will be displayed in a new window.
The organigram shows differences between staff departments and functions and "ordinary" departments and functions. Collapsed actors can be shown collapsed or expanded by right-clicking a collapsed actor in the diagram and then clicking Show contents.
By using the Hierarchical layout function in the Generate/Present group on the Amber ribbon tab you can determine whether the hierarchical substructure of an actor will be shown horizontally, left, right, or left and right.
You can also make changes in the organigram (like deleting specific actors); this does not change the original diagram. An organigram view is saved in the model and can be viewed later on by selecting it in the model browser.
The organigram can be used in office applications by first selecting (a part of) the organigram and then cutting and pasting it to the office tool.
Process structure
The layering of an Amber model for sub-processes can be made visible by using the Process structure view. The process structure presents the hierarchical structure of a process and its sub-processes, similar to an organigram.
To create a process structure:
- Select a sub-process and click Amber > Process Structure in the ribbon.
The process structure of the sub-process is now displayed in a new window.
Collapsed sub-processes can be shown collapsed or expanded: right-click the collapsed sub-process and click Show contents. By using the Hierarchical layout function in the Generate/Present group on the Amber ribbon tab you can determine whether the hierarchical substructure of a sub-process will be shown horizontally, left, right, or left and right.
You can also make changes in the process structure view (like deleting certain sub-processes); this does not change the original diagram. A process structure view is saved in the model and can be viewed later on by selecting it in the model browser.
The process structure can be used in office applications by first selecting (a part of) the structure (by dragging the mouse or using Ctrl+A) and then cutting and pasting it to the office tool.
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