A Rationale-based Model for Architecture Design Reasoning

11.3. Tracing AREL models
Figure 11.8: AREL Tool Menu Options
Figure 11.9: AREL Tool Consistency Check Results
11.3 Tracing AREL models
As discussed in Chapter 9, the tracing of architecture rationale and architecture elements
is important to help architects understand architecture design reasoning. The AREL Tool
enables architects to specify and trace an AREL model. Architects can select the Trace
Model button to activate tracing (see Figure 11.8) and a new window would be displayed
(see Figure 11.10).
Architects then input a valid architecture element AE which is where tracing will
begin. Architects then select the Element Type(s) and the Element Subtype(s) to specify
those elements that are required. There are four different viewpoint types classified
in AREL: Business, Information, Application and Technology. Each of them provides a
perspective to represent the architecture. There are five sub-viewpoints in the Business
Viewpoint, they specify different types of drivers which motivate the creation of an architecture.
These sub-viewpoints are functional requirements, non-functional requirements,
information system environment, business environment and technical environment. Ar-
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