Aspect of a system that provides an abstraction of its logistic and technical means
Introduction to the notion
The logical aspect describes the logistic system regardless of the technical choices.
- Stake: quality and control of the logistic system (non-redundancy, reuse, low coupling, control of development…); ability to rethink the technical system from top to bottom.
- Content: style of logical design, metaphor, architectural rules, description of the logistic system apart from technical choices.
Before tackling the detail of the technical choices specific to the logistic aspect, it is important to:
- get an idea of the overall system, its behavior and its quality;
- develop a description of the system, relatively independently of technical choices in order to (1) use it for communication purposes outside of the technical circle and (2) have a description available that can accompany the changes in the system over the long term.
We would not be able to get such a description if we dealt with it on a technical level: on the one hand, the technical detail and vocabulary would prohibit its use in communication with non-technical stakeholders (decision makers, clients, users…); on the other hand, it would be subject to technical obsolescence, even though it has to accompany the transformation over the long term.
“Logical” is therefore the opposite of “technical”, “material”, “physical”. The logical aspect presents itself as an abstraction of the logistic solution (technological, IT). It fits into the transformation chain as an intermediary aspect between the “business” and the technical side. It ensures the decoupling between both terms that go on at a different pace.
The logical model has a pivotal role in the design of the Enterprise System, linking the upstream aspects – semantic and pragmatic – to the technical design. The Enterprise System Topology positions it touching the semantic and pragmatic aspects. This position infers a precise approach. It results in changes to the face of the logistic system, around a structure that avoids the shortcomings of the functional approach.
The logical aspect is decomposed into strata, defined by the method, in order to keep the separation carried out upstream, between the semantics and pragmatics, within the technical system. The units of decomposition from these last two aspects are reused in the logical architecture, leading to a structurally profound transformation.
The approach of the logical aspect is detailed in the guide PxPRD-50. This is where the architecture style is discussed, for example: SOA (Service Oriented Architecture).
Related terms: aspect, system, logistic, technical system, abstraction, logical architecture.
