Lesson 2 Exercise: Creating a Basic Model

Objective

In this exercise, you will begin creating a model of the fictitious company, ACME, Inc., and its employees. In the model, you will create objects and relationships to represent the relationships between a department and two persons.

Try to complete the following steps on your own. If you need help, click the step to jump to a set of more detailed steps. Don't worry about how your model looks at this point; you will learn how to optimize the model's appearance in later lessons.

1	Start METIS

First, minimize your web browser and any other application you have open (except this window) to see your desktop.

2	Create a New Model File

Create a new model file called MyExerciseL2 based on the GEM template.

3	Create a Container

Create a container to hold objects representing the organization and persons within ACME, Inc.

4	Insert Person Objects

Within the container, create two objects to represent the persons W. Coyote and R. Runner.

5	Insert Organization Object

Within the container, create one object to represent ACME, Inc.

6	Decompose Organization Into Departments

Decompose the organization to represent its Marketing and Development departments.

7	Create Relationships

Create relationships between the Development department and each of the persons W. Coyote and R. Runner, to show that they work in that department.

8	Save the Model and Close METIS

9	Practice on Your Own (Optional)

Start METIS

To begin this exercise, start METIS as follows:

1	First, minimize your web browser and any other application you have open (except this window) to see your desktop.

2	Double-click the METIS icon [image] to launch METIS.

Create a New Model File

Create a new model file based on a specific template:

1	In the dialog box, click the Model From Template option.

2	In the template list, click GEM, then click OK.

3	At the filename prompt, enter MyExerciseL2 and click Save.

4	Position this Exercise window so that you have a good view of the modeling window.

Create a Container

Complete the following steps to create a container to hold objects representing the organization and persons within ACME, Inc.

1	If necessary, click the Domain tab to display the Domain tree in the left pane. Find the Modeling domain and click the + icon to expand it.

2	Drag the Container type from the Domain tree and drop onto the modeling area.

3	In the Name field of the property dialog box, type Organization and click OK.

4	If necessary, click the Zoom All tool [image] to display all of the container.

Insert Person Objects

Within the container, create two objects to represent the persons W. Coyote and R. Runner.

1	In the Domain tree, expand the Resource domain.

2	Drag the Person type from the Domain tree and drop onto the lower half of the container.

3	In the Name field of the property dialog box, type W. Coyote and click OK.

4	Repeat the two previous steps to create person R. Runner.

Example

Insert Organization Object

Within the container, create one object to represent ACME, Inc. as follows:

1	In the Domain tree, expand the Organization domain.

2	Drag the Organization type from the Domain tree and drop onto the upper half of the container.

3	In the Name field of the property dialog box, type ACME, Inc. and click OK.

Decompose Organization Into Departments

Decompose ACME, Inc. to represent its Marketing and Development departments as follows:

1	Drag the Organization type from the Domain tree and drop onto the ACME, Inc. object.

2	In the Name field of the property dialog box, type Marketing and click OK.

3	Repeat the two previous steps to create the Development department. Move the Development department to the right so that you can see the Marketing department also.

Example

Create Relationships

Create two relationships between the Development department and the persons W. Coyote and R. Runner as follows:

1	Select person W. Coyote. Hold down the Shift key and select person R. Runner and then release the Shift key.

2	Right-click the Development department object and select Connect To Selected.

3	In the menu that pops up, select relationship type Organization has employee Person.

Example

Save the Model and Close METIS

Complete the following steps to complete the lesson:

1	From the File menu, click Save.

2	From the File menu, click Exit.

3	Close this window and maximize your browser to continue with the course.

Practice on Your Own (Optional)


Practice on Your Own (Optional)

In this same file, model another organization that manufactures parts for ACME. To do so, create containers and include objects and relationships from the Organization, Product, and Product Catalog domains.

Remember, there is no "correct" answer. Your model may look different from someone else's. What's important is to use objects and relationships that communicate the appropriate information for your audience.


Container and Person Objects

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Container and Organization Objects
Decomposed Organization

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Creating Relationships
Relationships

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