Linked Architecture Elements and Relationship Types

Architecture elements can be linked to processes and to other architecture elements.

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 “Architecture Reference” relationship type is an exception. This is a Bpanda-specific relationship type. It serves as an abstract building block/placeholder that can subsequently be specialized in various architecture layers in order to depict concrete structures and relationships.

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 serves as an abstract building block/placeholder that can be specialized subsequently and is available for all elements and with all elements. It describes that the respective elements are related to each other.
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.