Linked Architecture Elements and Relationship Types

Architecture elements can be linked to processes and to other architecture elements. The relationship type determines which link is permitted.

Architecture elements can be linked to processes and to other architecture elements. These elements are thus related to each other. Bpanda provides you with various relationship types for these relationships.

Just like the types of the architecture elements themselves, the relationship types available in Bpanda for linked architecture elements comply with the ArchiMate® 3.2 specification. On the MID website you will find a very informative poster on the ArchiMate® 3.2 specification.

The following relationship types are currently available to you. With the exception of the “Architecture Reference” type, these are aimed at advanced ArchiMate users:

Relationship Type	Meaning
Architecture Reference	Bpanda-specific relationship type that is not part of the ArchiMate® 3.2 specification. It is permitted between all elements and only states that the two elements are related to each other. You cannot change the type of a relationship later on. If it is to become a more specific relationship, remove the Architecture Reference and create the relationship anew with the appropriate type.
Influence	Expresses that an element influences the achievement of a motivation element.
Access	Represents the ability of behavior elements and active structure elements to observe passive structure elements or to do something with them.
Serving	Expresses that an element provides its functionality to another element.
Realization	Expresses that an entity plays a critical role in the creation, achievement, sustenance or operation of a more abstract entity.
Assignment	Expresses the allocation of responsibility, the performance of behavior, storage or execution.
Aggregation	Expresses that an element groups one or more other concepts.
Composition	Expresses that an element consists of one or more concepts.
Flow	Represents a transfer (e.g. of information, goods or money) from one element to another.
Triggering	Represents a temporal or causal relationship between elements.
Specialization	Expresses that an element is a particular kind of another element.
Association	Represents a relationship that is not further specified or one that is not expressed by another ArchiMate® relationship.

How to Link Two Architecture Elements

Linking takes place on the Draft, in the Linked Architecture Elements section.

Open the draft of the architecture element.
In the Linked Architecture Elements section, select the + button.

The Link Architecture Elements wizard opens.
Select the Architecture Element you want to link to.
Select the Relationship Type.
Select the Direction: From source to target element, From target to source element, Bidirectional or Undirected.
Check: Review the summary and select Apply.

Only what is permitted is offered. Which relationship types Bpanda offers you depends on two things: on the types of the two elements according to ArchiMate® 3.2 and on which relationships already exist between them. If the two already have a relationship of a given type, Bpanda does not offer that type again. If none are available, Bpanda reports No common relationship types were found or All relationship types are already assigned.

Two things always apply: You can set the Architecture Reference between any elements — for the Architecture Element type it is even the only possible one, because this type does not exist in ArchiMate®. And an element cannot be linked to itself.

The List of Linked Elements

Each row shows the icon, name and relationship type with direction arrows. Three switches control the view:

Group by linked elements
Show invalid
Show hidden

On the draft, you remove a relationship via the recycle bin icon in the row.

Note: A relationship is checked when it is created and on import, not later. If the type of an element changes, existing relationships may become invalid — the Invalid Relationships evaluation collects them. See Editing Architecture Elements.