Architecture and Modeling Course

Welcome to the Architecture and Modeling Course, designed to guide architects through the structured process of creating system architecture from scratch using the IBM DevOps Solution Workbench!

This section is your starting point to master the IBM DevOps Solution Workbench at your own pace. It's tailored to help you understand and leverage the full potential of system architecture tooling. Starting with setting up a new project, diagramming, profiles, decisions, spotlight and collaboration, all the way to customizing and managing your architecture over time.

In this course, you will work through a concrete example where you create the architecture for our reference application RoboFlow from scratch. To visualize the architecture, you will use the C4 Model Profile, which provides different elements and diagrams for software architecture. The IBM DevOps Solution Workbench also provides other modeling profiles (e.g., DDD, Implementation Design) and makes it possible to create custom profiles. Further information about this can be found in Product Documentation and in the how-to guides. RoboFlow's requirements for the new solution are outlined in our Reference Implementation. You can use them for your model. As the scenario progresses, you will adapt this architecture to reflect evolving business needs, demonstrating how IBM DevOps Solution Workbench supports both initial design and ongoing change.

Ready to dive in? Browse the units below to find what you search for or go through the units chronologically!

Unit 1: Foundation of Software Architecture Modeling

Start the RoboFlow architecture from scratch, set up your project, and explore the core modeling capabilities.

Unit 2: Working with Model Elements and Diagramming

Model RoboFlow's systems, containers, and components, and bring them to life in your first diagrams.

Unit 3: Structuring and Layering the Architecture and the Loop concept

Organize the RoboFlow model into clear layers, connect elements with the Loop concept, and capture the big picture.

Unit 4: Decisions, Customization, and Spotlight

Highlight what matters in diagrams by creating custom fields and using spotlight. Document key RoboFlow design choices with Architecture Decision Records (ADRs).

Unit 5: Collaboration and Advanced Project Management

Collaborate on architecture design and manage the RoboFlow architecture project over time with our advanced project management capabilities.