We’ve just released a new version of AIM, with 2 important new features
- Business scenario simulation
- Export to Concept of Operations guide
Business scenario simulation
Business scenario simulation lets you process real data through your AIM model.
Once you’ve created your AIM model, you can attach scripts to receive, process, and output information. JScript is the scripting language used to process data in JSON format through your model.
This is similar but different to BPM. Whereas BPM allows you to simulate the flow of control, AIM allows you to simulate the flow of information. The intent with AIM is to also simulate flows at a much higher level of abstraction than you might with BPM. Based on achieving agreement across the Enterprise on an information processing approach, you might then choose BPM to model further as you deep dive into 1 specific area of your AIM model.
This next level of detail, performing business scenario simulation on top of your existing macro design, gives you extra certainty in your design, in the form of defining the next level of detail on information processed.
For example, if everyone agrees that in your AIM model there’s a “Sales Dashboard” function that receives “Customer Summary” information, do we all agree what’s contained in that — is it just the Customer and receive Sales History, or does it also include the Financial History? Many projects have failed due to this basic information not being defined or understood up front.
With Macro data simulation you can model these high level structural information elements as they flow through your model, improving your information design, and de-risking your projects.
Concept of Operations Guide
There’s a new option under File > Export, to create a Concept of Operations guide in MS Word.
This is an export of all of your AIM model elements, with cross-references.
The idea is that while you’ll generate some insights about your business from directly using AIM, you’ll also want to export into document format sometimes.
This new export format is in additional to being able to export to Open Exchange (for use in most modern Architecture modelling tools), and Excel (so that you can map your IT portfolio against your AIM model).
Both of these are features are quite stable, but in beta, with more planned enhancements due to release in the next few weeks.