Create a Custom C4 MDG Technology

Create a Custom C4 MDG Technology

Overview

Create a custom EA MDG Technology or UML profile that introduces C4-specific stereotypes, toolbox entries, tagged values, diagram patterns, and visual styles.

How to implement

1. Define the C4 vocabulary: Person, Software System, Container, Component, Code, System Boundary, and relationship types.
2. Create stereotypes based on suitable UML metaclasses such as Class, Component, Node, Actor, or Artifact.
3. Add tagged values for fields such as technology, description, owner, URL, and status.
4. Define shapes, colors, icons, and labels that make C4 levels visually distinct.
5. Create toolbox pages for each C4 level.
6. Define diagram patterns or model templates for context, container, component, and code views.
7. Package the profile as an MDG Technology.
8. Test it in a pilot model, then distribute and version the technology with the modeling standards.

Example stereotypes

<<c4-person>> Customer
<<c4-system>> Order Management System
<<c4-container>> Orders API
<<c4-container>> Orders Database
<<c4-component>> Pricing Service
<<c4-code>> OrderController

Example tagged values

technology = Java / Spring Boot
owner = Commerce Platform
description = Receives and processes orders
external = false
c4Level = Container

Advantages

• Closest visual and semantic fit to the C4 method.
• Enforces consistent terminology and appearance.
• Can provide reusable toolboxes, patterns, and validation rules.
• Supports organization-specific metadata and reporting.

Disadvantages

• Requires profile/MDG expertise and ongoing maintenance.
• Must be tested after EA upgrades.
• Custom technologies can reduce portability to other tools.
• Teams need deployment, versioning, and support procedures.

When to choose it

Choose this option when C4 is a strategic standard, many teams need the same notation, and the organization can maintain a reusable EA extension.