Data Modeling

Details

The details tab is where most of the detailed model editing is done. Although selecting the details tab directly does very little, this is where the properties appear once an element has been selected from the NavTree.

Diagram

Diagrams are a very easy way to visualize models and explore their connectivity. A modeling tool would not be complete without some means of building diagrams. While constructing PHENOM's diagramming engine, users expressed their desire for a "modeling scratchpad" capability. This concept allows users to build model content without immediately affecting the data model. This makes it possible to experiment with different modeling ideas without adding a bunch of intermediate content to the model. The new elements become official model content once they are "committed."

Beyond modeling new elements and patterns, the diagram tool can be used to build interface documentation. This functions oppositely from PHENOM's typical mode of documentation. Instead of start with the most specific details and then adding context, this view editing tool starts with the broadest context and narrows down to the most specific details. This approach is difficult to use unless you know the data model.

Health Check

Rapidly check the overall health of your data model using PHENOM's Health Check. It runs 19 different tests against the model.

Some of the health checks provide tools to help users fix errors.

Analytics

These are tools that provide additional insight into the model. It can show the distribution of entities and attributes used in the documentation. This helps identify areas of the model where refactoring activities can provide the greatest benefit.