Modellenlagen

Modellenlagen, or model layers, is a concept used in model-driven engineering and enterprise architecture to organize modeling artifacts into hierarchical levels of abstraction. The goal is to manage complexity, enable traceability, and support governance by separating concerns across different layers.

Typically, modelllagen follow a meta-modeling hierarchy often described as M3, M2, M1, and M0. The M3 layer, the meta-meta-model, defines the language used to describe meta-models. The M2 layer contains meta-models themselves (for example, UML or ArchiMate). The M1 layer holds the actual models built in those languages, such as a UML class diagram or an ArchiMate diagram of a system. The M0 layer consists of concrete data instances or runtime objects described by the M1 models.

In enterprise architecture and many software engineering approaches, layers are also expressed in domain-specific groups such as business, application, and technology layers. The business layer models processes, goals, and organizational structures; the application layer models software services, components, and interfaces; the technology layer models infrastructure, platforms, and deployment aspects. Depending on the framework, additional layers like data or presentation may be included to reflect concrete data stores or user interfaces.

Benefits of using modellenlagen include clearer separation of concerns, modular development, easier maintenance, and improved traceability from requirements to implementation. They support tool interoperability and governance by making it possible to analyze the impact of changes and to align models across levels.