Real-Life MDA: Solving Business Problems with Model Driven Architecture (The MK/OMG Press) [Paperback]

Michael Guttman (Author), John Parodi (Author)

Book Description

Series: The MK/OMG Press | Publication Date: December 19, 2006

Model Driven Architecture (MDA) is a new approach to software development that helps companies manage large, complex software projects and save development costs while allowing new technologies that come along to be readily incorporated. Although it is based on many long-standing industry precepts and best practices, such as UML, it is enough of a departure from traditional IT approaches to require some "proof of the pudding." Real-Life MDA is composed of six case studies of real companies using MDA that will furnish that proof. The authors' approach MDA projects by describing all aspects of the project from the viewpoint of the end-users—from the reason for choosing an MDA approach to the results and benefits. The case studies are preceded by an introductory chapter and are followed by a wrap-up chapter summarizing lessons learned.

* Written for executives, analysts, architects, and engineers positioned to influence business-oriented software development at the highest levels.

* Filled with concrete examples and analyses of how MDA is relevant for organizations of various sizes.

* Considers a range of uses for MDA-from business process analysis to full-scale software modeling and development.

* Presents results for each case study in terms of tangible, measured benefits, including automatically generated code, defect reduction, improved visibility, and ROI.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The need for this book—No one has published a similar compendium of MDA case studies, making a transition to new technology is not simply a technical affair, although many of us tend to overlook this point, and the authors are superb writers. These are people who have seen a lot in the industry and have a gift for articulating important trends."—David Frankel, consultant and author

Book Description

The first field reports of MDA from leading companies

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Morgan Kaufmann; 1 edition (December 19, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0123705924
• ISBN-13: 978-0123705921
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,118,463 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for real-life MDA prospects, April 20, 2007

By 

Ernest Stambouly (Orange County, CA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Real-Life MDA: Solving Business Problems with Model Driven Architecture (The MK/OMG Press) (Paperback)

I read this book skipping over technical and theoretical excerpts and focusing on the 'project experience' part of every case study. This book confirms to me that MDA is finding its way into IT reality, graduating the approach from what's probable to what's possible, from phenomenon to ontic. The format, style, and presentation are excellent, and some of the case studies are captivating narratives that I learned quite a bit from. For me, this book is about what is workable more so than what is viable.
The nebulous aspect of "what is really MDA" is not clarified in this book, rather it is confirmed because you will see that each case study presents a project using some form of MDA, and they are all different.
So who do I recommend this book to? First, let's recognize that this book is fist-in-class, so it cannot be compared to others --the OMG has had MDA case studies posted on their Website for a while, but not with this substance.
If you are curious regarding what MDA is about, surprisingly, this book offers a great introduction by way of analogy to manufacturing -- I found the analogy very powerful. And browsing the case studies can paint a picture as to what the MDA experience entails.
If you are flirting with MDA, you might find the case studies compelling and perhaps start thinking about your first MDA pilot project.
If you are part of an MDA (or any model driven whatever) project, this book is mostly for you -- without meaning to preclude the first two.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clearly illustrates the broad application of MDA, May 17, 2007

By 

Michael Rosen "Enterprise Archictect" (Wilton, NH United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Real-Life MDA: Solving Business Problems with Model Driven Architecture (The MK/OMG Press) (Paperback)

One of the problems with something like architecture is that it's difficult to quantify the value. This is even more difficult when the approach can be applied in many different ways, in many different circumstances. This is certainly the case for MDA. Perhaps the best we can do is point to examples of how it is used, where it's been successful, and what value it has contributed. Well, if you want to answer those questions for MDA, this book is for you.

Real-life MDA, as the title suggests, is basically a book of case studies. Each case has a similar structure describing the problem being addressed, why an MDA approach was chosen, the goals, the challenges faced, how MDA was used, what processes and tools were used, the results and benefits, and the client's assessment of the MDA experience. But that's where the similarity ends. One case show MDA in an Agile environment, another highlights MDA and code generation, another shows how MDA is used to create Enterprise Architecture, yet another shows an MDA approach to outsourcing. This illustrates the variety of MDA approaches, while providing a framework to understand and compare the different examples.

I should of course mention that the book is easy to read, in spite of the non-trivial nature of the subject. Both Guttman and Parodi are excellent writers who keep the flow interesting and insightful. If you've thought MDA sounded good, but couldn't articulate the value, now you'll be able to. If you never quite bought the idea of MDA, hopefully this book will change your mind. In either case, you'll enjoy the read and learn something in the process.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent MDA Overview then straight to real MDA Projects, May 16, 2007

By 

David Zenie - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Real-Life MDA: Solving Business Problems with Model Driven Architecture (The MK/OMG Press) (Paperback)

We all know that there's a relationship between technology and history. Some argue that technology determines history (in terms of its shaping of economic, social, and political institutions). Others are concerned that we're not ready for really new technology at this point in history. The authors of this very well written book have used history and technology to locate MDA in a similar historical process (the development of mechanical technology - assembly line, components, machine tools, etc.) - by doing this we can think about where MDA is, where it is going to, and most importantly, what it needs next.