Visualizing Architecture Metrics and Heatmaps in Archi

Introduction: Why Visualize Architecture Metrics?

Architecture is not just about static diagrams — it’s about insight. As architecture models grow, stakeholders need clear, meaningful ways to understand complexity, risk, redundancy, and opportunity. Visualizing architecture metrics through heatmaps and indicators can turn static models into dynamic decision tools.

Archi , as an open-source ArchiMate modeling platform, provides flexible mechanisms to visualize data, status, and key metrics through custom properties, jArchi scripting, and visual styling. This guide shows how to use Archi to create architecture heatmaps for lifecycle status, maturity, ownership, and more.

What Are Architecture Heatmaps?

Heatmaps are visual overlays that color-code elements based on a particular attribute or metric. Examples include:

Lifecycle Heatmap: Legacy, Active, Planned systems
Maturity Heatmap: Capability or application maturity levels
Risk Exposure: Systems without controls or security classification
SLA Coverage: Applications missing disaster recovery plans

Prerequisites in Archi

Install the jArchi plugin to enable scripting
Ensure your elements are tagged with metadata (e.g., Lifecycle , Maturity )
Use consistent naming or categorization schemes

Step-by-Step: Creating Heatmaps in Archi

Step 1: Tag Your Elements

Add tagged values to elements based on relevant attributes:

ApplicationComponent:
  - Lifecycle: Active / Legacy / Planned
  - SLA: Gold / Silver / Bronze
  - Owner: BusinessUnitX

Step 2: Create a View

Create a dedicated ArchiMate view (e.g., “Application Landscape - Heatmap”) and place the relevant elements. Keep the layout consistent for easier comparison over time.

Step 3: Use jArchi to Apply Colors


// jArchi Script: Color by Lifecycle
var view = model.activeView;
view.children().forEach(obj => {
    var status = obj.concept.get("Lifecycle");
    if (status == "Legacy") obj.style("fillColor", "red");
    else if (status == "Active") obj.style("fillColor", "green");
    else if (status == "Planned") obj.style("fillColor", "yellow");
    else obj.style("fillColor", "gray");
});

Step 4: Export or Present

Export your heatmap view to PNG or SVG for slide decks or reports
Print directly from Archi or publish to HTML repository

Use Case Examples

1. Lifecycle Management

Map all applications by lifecycle status
Highlight legacy systems requiring modernization
Visualize IT rationalization candidates

2. Capability Maturity

Assign maturity levels (Initial, Defined, Optimized)
Use grouped capability views
Color-code based on readiness or gaps

3. Business Criticality

Tag systems with Criticality (High, Medium, Low)
Show impact during disaster recovery planning
Highlight systems needing better redundancy

4. SLA and Compliance Coverage

Use tags like SLALevel or GDPRReady
Spot areas lacking controls or policies
Map progress toward compliance goals

Best Practices for Heatmap Modeling

Use neutral colors for “unknown” or “unclassified” states
Always document what each color means in the diagram notes
Use consistent tagging schemas across all elements
Store scripts for reuse and automate for dashboards
Keep views focused: one heatmap = one purpose

Advanced Techniques

Multi-Dimensional Heatmaps

Combine color + border + icon styling to show multiple dimensions
E.g., color = lifecycle, border = SLA, icon = risk flag

Script-Based Heatmap Switching

Create toggle scripts to cycle through views by different metrics:


function colorBy(tag) {
    var view = model.activeView;
    view.children().forEach(obj => {
        var value = obj.concept.get(tag);
        if (value == "High") obj.style("fillColor", "red");
        else if (value == "Medium") obj.style("fillColor", "orange");
        else if (value == "Low") obj.style("fillColor", "green");
        else obj.style("fillColor", "gray");
    });
}
colorBy("RiskLevel");

Dynamic Heatmaps with Git

Maintain heatmap views in Git-backed model repositories
Track changes to tagged values over time
Generate change diffs and trends with external BI tools

Stakeholder Engagement with Visual Metrics

IT Managers: Lifecycle, SLA, cloud-readiness
Security Teams: Risk exposure, classification gaps
Compliance Officers: Control implementation status
Business Leaders: Capability maturity and dependency visuals

Conclusion: Turn Data Into Insight

Architecture heatmaps transform abstract models into operational insight. In Archi, with just a few scripts and tagging standards, you can visualize complexity, highlight risk, and guide governance through color-coded clarity.

Whether you’re preparing a board presentation or running a technical audit, visualizing architecture metrics makes your models speak louder and smarter.