PIM Modeling Process
The Platform-Independent Model (PIM) describes a serverless architecture without selecting a cloud provider. The PIM process covers service boundaries, contracts, data, compute, integrations, and policies. It defines six phases for new PIM work and for refinement after CIM-to-PIM transformation. Each phase contains activities and task uses. Its metamodel bindings identify the PIM classes covered by a task; process work products are recorded separately.
Treat elements created by CIM-to-PIM transformation as draft architecture. Review them, refine the service slice, and record unresolved decisions before continuing. The phase order gives teams a working path. They can return to an earlier phase when a contract or integration gap requires a change.
PIM Phases
| Phase | Name | In engine | Stages (summary) |
|---|---|---|---|
pim.ph1 |
Architecture & Slice Framing | ✓ | Service Slice Planning, Architecture Posture, Service Boundaries |
pim.ph2 |
Contracts & Data | ✓ | Contracts & Schemas, Data Architecture |
pim.ph3 |
Compute & Exposure | ✓ | Compute Units, API Surface |
pim.ph4 |
Integration & Orchestration | ✓ | Integration Topology, Workflow Orchestration |
pim.ph5 |
Assurance & Configuration | ✓ | Security & Identity, Architecture Policies, External & Config |
pim.ph6 |
Platform Readiness | ✓ | Platform Mapping, Trace & Readiness, Increment Review |
Roles
| Role | Responsibility in PIM |
|---|---|
| Solution Architect | Engine phases: slice framing, architecture, boundaries, contracts, integration, policies |
| Process Reviewer | Readiness phase: EVL gate approval and platform mapping readiness |
Phase Flow
flowchart TD
PH1["Phase 1, Architecture & Slice Framing"]
PH2["Phase 2, Contracts & Data"]
PH3["Phase 3, Compute & Exposure"]
PH4["Phase 4, Integration & Orchestration"]
PH5["Phase 5, Assurance & Configuration"]
PH6["Phase 6, Platform Readiness"]
PH1 --> PH2 --> PH3 --> PH4 --> PH5 --> PH6
PH6 -->|EVL pass| GATE["PIM → PSM transform"]
Detailed tasks
Task Catalog
Process modriss.pim.modeling · 6 phases · 32 TaskUses / TaskDefinitions · PIM metamodel coverage enforced in CI.
Architecture & Slice Framing (pim.ph1)
Frame the current service slice, establish or refresh PIM posture, and align serverless boundaries to CIM intent.
Runs: in engine cycle · Role: Solution Architect
Phase entry:
- CIM transform complete, prior PIM increment selected, or greenfield PIM
Phase exit:
- PIM root configured
- Service-slice objective and architecture definition of done are agreed
- Services cover deployable boundaries for the slice
Service Slice Planning (pim.ph1.st0)
Select the PIM service slice and define architecture review expectations.
Viewpoint: services
Tasks
Plan service slice (pim.ph1.st0.t1)
Viewpoint: services Duration: 30m Work products: PIM Increment Plan
Steps:
- Select one service slice traced to CIM goals, bounded contexts, and behavior.
- Record scope boundaries, architectural risks, manual transform decisions, and definition of done.
- Confirm the expected PIM EVL gate and review participants for the cycle.
Entry criteria:
- CIM transform complete, prior PIM increment selected, or greenfield PIM
Exit criteria:
- Service-slice scope and definition of done are agreed
Architecture Posture (pim.ph1.st1)
Create or refresh the PIMModel root with architecture style and implementation profile.
Viewpoint: dashboard
Tasks
Create PIM model root (pim.ph1.st1.t1)
Viewpoint: dashboard
Duration: 20m
Inputs: PIM Increment Plan
Work products: Architecture Posture
Palette focus: PIMModel
Steps:
- Create or verify PIMModel with domain linkage to CIM source.
- Set modeling date, lifecycle status, and annotation conventions.
Entry criteria:
- Service-slice scope agreed
Exit criteria:
- PIMModel root exists
Set architecture posture (pim.ph1.st1.t2)
Viewpoint: dashboard
Duration: 30m
Inputs: Architecture Posture, PIM Increment Plan
Work products: Architecture Posture
Palette focus: ImplementationProfile
Steps:
- Configure ImplementationProfile with serverless posture and platform assumptions.
- Select ArchitectureStyle and document key architectural decisions.
Entry criteria:
- PIM model root exists
Exit criteria:
- Architecture style and profile configured
Establish shared model contract and evidence conventions (pim.ph1.st1.t3)
Viewpoint: dashboard Duration: 30m Inputs: Architecture Posture, PIM Increment Plan Work products: Architecture Posture Palette focus:
DeployableElementInvocationSourceInvocationTargetFunctionTargetWorkflowTargetSubscriptionTargetRoutingTargetFlowEndpointProtectedResourcePolicyTargetDataAccessTargetExternalCallTarget
Steps:
- Apply shared identity, annotation, traceability, expression, and lifecycle conventions across PIM elements.
- Record the revision, transformation provenance, and review-state convention for the service slice.
- Keep support concepts in inspectors and readiness evidence instead of exposing them as false deployable architecture nodes.
Entry criteria:
- PIM model root exists
Exit criteria:
- Shared model contract and evidence convention are recorded
Service Boundaries (pim.ph1.st2)
Define serverless services and element memberships aligned to bounded contexts.
Viewpoint: services
Tasks
Define serverless services (pim.ph1.st2.t1)
Viewpoint: services
Duration: 1h
Inputs: Architecture Posture, PIM Increment Plan
Work products: Service Boundary Map
Palette focus: ServerlessService
Steps:
- Create ServerlessService elements aligned to CIM bounded contexts.
- Set boundary type and ownership scope per service.
Entry criteria:
- Architecture posture set
Exit criteria:
- Services defined for increment slice
Assign element memberships (pim.ph1.st2.t2)
Viewpoint: services
Duration: 45m
Inputs: Service Boundary Map, Architecture Posture
Work products: Service Boundary Map
Palette focus: ServiceElementMembership
Steps:
- Create ServiceElementMembership links from services to planned elements.
- Set OwnershipKind for each membership.
Entry criteria:
- Services defined
Exit criteria:
- Memberships cover deployable boundaries
Contracts & Data (pim.ph2)
Define API/event contracts and persistent data architecture for the increment slice.
Runs: in engine cycle · Role: Solution Architect
Phase entry:
- Architecture & Slice Framing complete
Phase exit:
- Contracts exist for APIs and events
- Persistent stores cover domain data
Contracts & Schemas (pim.ph2.st1)
Model schemas, validation constraints, and event envelopes aligned to CIM behavior.
Viewpoint: contracts
Tasks
Define schemas and fields (pim.ph2.st1.t1)
Viewpoint: contracts
Duration: 1-2h
Inputs: Service Boundary Map, Architecture Posture, PIM Increment Plan
Work products: Contract Catalog
Palette focus: Schema, SchemaField, SchemaEnumLiteral
Steps:
- Create Schema elements with fields and enum literals.
- Set schema kind and field types aligned to CIM information items.
Entry criteria:
- Service boundaries defined
Exit criteria:
- Schemas cover API and message payloads
Model event types and envelopes (pim.ph2.st1.t2)
Viewpoint: contracts
Duration: 1h
Inputs: Contract Catalog, Service Boundary Map
Work products: Contract Catalog
Palette focus: EventType, EventEnvelope, SchemaValidationConstraint, SchemaConstraint
Steps:
- Define EventType and EventEnvelope elements from CIM events.
- Apply validation constraints and compatibility rules.
Entry criteria:
- Schemas defined
Exit criteria:
- Event contracts aligned with CIM behavior surface
Data Architecture (pim.ph2.st2)
Model data stores, access patterns, and change streams for domain persistence.
Viewpoint: data
Tasks
Model data stores and models (pim.ph2.st2.t1)
Viewpoint: data
Duration: 1-2h
Inputs: Contract Catalog, Service Boundary Map, Architecture Posture
Work products: Data Architecture
Palette focus: DataStore, ObjectStore, DataModel, DataField
Steps:
- Create DataStore and ObjectStore elements per service.
- Define DataModel and DataField structures from CIM entities.
Entry criteria:
- Contracts defined
Exit criteria:
- Stores and models cover domain data
Define access patterns and indexes (pim.ph2.st2.t2)
Viewpoint: data
Duration: 1h
Inputs: Data Architecture, Contract Catalog, Service Boundary Map
Work products: Data Architecture
Palette focus: AccessPattern, IndexCandidate, DataAccess
Steps:
- Model AccessPattern elements from CIM queries and commands.
- Define IndexCandidate and DataAccess bindings per store.
Entry criteria:
- Data models drafted
Exit criteria:
- Access patterns cover read/write use cases
Configure change streams and notifications (pim.ph2.st2.t3)
Viewpoint: data
Duration: 45m
Inputs: Data Architecture, Contract Catalog, Service Boundary Map
Work products: Data Architecture
Palette focus: DataChangeStream, ObjectNotificationRule
Steps:
- Define DataChangeStream elements for event-sourced projections.
- Configure ObjectNotificationRule for object store triggers.
Entry criteria:
- Access patterns defined
Exit criteria:
- Change streams linked to event contracts
Compute & Exposure (pim.ph3)
Define compute units and expose them through a coherent API surface.
Runs: in engine cycle · Role: Solution Architect
Phase entry:
- Contracts & Data complete for slice
Phase exit:
- Functions cover behavioral surface
- Public API surface complete
Compute Units (pim.ph3.st1)
Define functions with contracts and triggers mapped to CIM commands and events.
Viewpoint: compute
Tasks
Define functions and contracts (pim.ph3.st1.t1)
Viewpoint: compute
Duration: 1-2h
Inputs: Data Architecture, Service Boundary Map, Contract Catalog
Work products: Compute Catalog
Palette focus: Function, FunctionContract
Steps:
- Create Function elements with FunctionContract bindings.
- Set compute profile and execution model per handler.
Entry criteria:
- Data architecture drafted
Exit criteria:
- Functions mapped to CIM commands and queries
Configure triggers and runtime (pim.ph3.st1.t2)
Viewpoint: compute
Duration: 1h
Inputs: Compute Catalog, Contract Catalog
Work products: Compute Catalog
Palette focus: Trigger
Steps:
- Define Trigger elements linking functions to events and schedules.
- Set runtime language and package manager per function.
Entry criteria:
- Functions defined
Exit criteria:
- Triggers cover behavioral entry points
API Surface (pim.ph3.st2)
Expose functions through APIs with routes, contracts, and error mappings.
Viewpoint: api
Tasks
Define APIs and routes (pim.ph3.st2.t1)
Viewpoint: api
Duration: 1h
Inputs: Compute Catalog, Contract Catalog, Service Boundary Map
Work products: API Catalog
Palette focus: Api, ApiRoute
Steps:
- Create Api elements with routes and HTTP methods.
- Connect routes to function handlers.
Entry criteria:
- Compute units defined
Exit criteria:
- API routes cover public endpoints
Map API contracts and errors (pim.ph3.st2.t2)
Viewpoint: api
Duration: 45m
Inputs: API Catalog, Contract Catalog, Compute Catalog
Work products: API Catalog
Palette focus: ApiContract, ErrorMapping
Steps:
- Bind ApiContract elements to schema definitions.
- Map ErrorMapping responses to CIM business errors.
Entry criteria:
- API routes defined
Exit criteria:
- Contracts and error mappings complete
Integration & Orchestration (pim.ph4)
Wire async integration topology and long-running workflow orchestration.
Runs: in engine cycle · Role: Solution Architect
Phase entry:
- Compute & Exposure complete for slice
Phase exit:
- Async integration topology complete
- Long-running processes orchestrated
Integration Topology (pim.ph4.st1)
Model event channels, flows, and routing rules connecting services.
Viewpoint: integration
Tasks
Model event channels and buses (pim.ph4.st1.t1)
Viewpoint: integration
Duration: 1h
Inputs: API Catalog, Contract Catalog, Compute Catalog, Service Boundary Map
Work products: Integration Topology
Palette focus: EventChannel, Queue, Topic, EventBus
Steps:
- Create EventChannel, Queue, Topic, and EventBus elements.
- Set delivery semantics and ordering requirements.
Entry criteria:
- API surface defined
Exit criteria:
- Channels cover async integration points
Define flows and routing rules (pim.ph4.st1.t2)
Viewpoint: integration Duration: 1-2h Inputs: Integration Topology, API Catalog, Contract Catalog, Compute Catalog Work products: Integration Topology Palette focus:
FlowRequestResponseFlowEventFlowMessageFlowPubSubFlowOrchestrationFlowExternalIntegrationFlowEventRoutingRuleScheduleSubscription
Steps:
- Model Flow variants connecting producers and consumers.
- Define EventRoutingRule and Subscription bindings.
- Configure Schedule triggers for periodic integration.
Entry criteria:
- Channels defined
Exit criteria:
- Flows connect integration endpoints to functions
Workflow Orchestration (pim.ph4.st2)
Model workflows from CIM business processes with human tasks and compensation.
Viewpoint: workflow
Tasks
Model workflows and states (pim.ph4.st2.t1)
Viewpoint: workflow Duration: 1-2h Inputs: Integration Topology, Service Boundary Map, API Catalog, Contract Catalog Work products: Workflow Model Palette focus:
WorkflowWorkflowStepStartStepTaskStepChoiceStepWaitStepSuccessEndStepFailureEndStepParallelStepMapStepPassStepWorkflowTransition
Steps:
- Create Workflow elements from CIM business processes.
- Define typed workflow steps, transitions, and workflow kind.
Entry criteria:
- Integration topology defined
Exit criteria:
- Workflows cover long-running CIM processes
Configure human tasks and error handling (pim.ph4.st2.t2)
Viewpoint: workflow Duration: 1h Inputs: Workflow Model, Integration Topology, Service Boundary Map, API Catalog, Contract Catalog Work products: Workflow Model Palette focus:
HumanTaskApprovalTaskEscalationPolicyCompensationPolicyErrorHandlerParallelBranchMapStateConfigCallbackTaskConfig
Steps:
- Add HumanTask and ApprovalTask elements with escalation policies.
- Define CompensationPolicy and ErrorHandler for failure paths.
Entry criteria:
- Workflows drafted
Exit criteria:
- Human steps and error paths orchestrated
Assurance & Configuration (pim.ph5)
Apply security, operational policies, and environment configuration across the slice.
Runs: in engine cycle · Role: Solution Architect
Phase entry:
- Integration & Orchestration complete for slice
Phase exit:
- Auth model covers all public endpoints
- Operational policies applied
- External integrations and config complete
Security & Identity (pim.ph5.st1)
Configure identity providers, principals, and authorization for APIs and functions.
Viewpoint: security
Tasks
Configure identity providers and principals (pim.ph5.st1.t1)
Viewpoint: security
Duration: 45m
Inputs: Architecture Posture, Service Boundary Map, Contract Catalog
Work products: Security Model
Palette focus: IdentityProvider, Principal
Steps:
- Define IdentityProvider elements aligned to CIM actors.
- Register Principal elements for human and service identities.
Entry criteria:
- Workflow orchestration drafted
Exit criteria:
- Identity model covers all actor types
Define permissions and security policies (pim.ph5.st1.t2)
Viewpoint: security Duration: 1h Inputs:
- Security Model
- Architecture Posture
- Service Boundary Map
- API Catalog
- Compute Catalog
- Contract Catalog
Work products: Security Model
Palette focus:
Permission,SecurityPolicy,AuthPolicy,AuthorizationPolicy
Steps:
- Create Permission elements with effect and action kind.
- Apply AuthPolicy and AuthorizationPolicy to APIs and functions.
Entry criteria:
- Principals configured
Exit criteria:
- Auth model covers all public endpoints
Architecture Policies (pim.ph5.st2)
Apply resilience, observability, governance, and cost policies to architecture elements.
Resilience & Throughput (pim.ph5.st2.ss1)
Configure retry, timeout, concurrency, and throughput policies.
Viewpoint: policies
Tasks
Apply resilience policies (pim.ph5.st2.ss1.t1)
Viewpoint: policies
Duration: 1h
Inputs: Security Model, Compute Catalog, Integration Topology, Service Boundary Map
Work products: Architecture Policy Catalog
Palette focus: ResiliencePolicy, RetryPolicy, DeadLetterPolicy, TimeoutPolicy, IdempotencyPolicy
Steps:
- Define ResiliencePolicy on functions and integration flows.
- Configure RetryPolicy, DeadLetterPolicy, and TimeoutPolicy per target.
- Set IdempotencyPolicy for state-changing handlers.
Entry criteria:
- Security and identity configured
Exit criteria:
- Resilience policies applied to critical paths
Configure throughput and ordering policies (pim.ph5.st2.ss1.t2)
Viewpoint: policies Duration: 45m Inputs: Architecture Policy Catalog, Data Architecture, API Catalog, Compute Catalog, Integration Topology Work products: Architecture Policy Catalog Palette focus:
ConcurrencyPolicyRateLimitPolicyBatchPolicyOrderingPolicyCachePolicyBackupPolicyRetentionPolicyCostPolicy
Steps:
- Set ConcurrencyPolicy and RateLimitPolicy on APIs and functions.
- Configure BatchPolicy, OrderingPolicy, and CachePolicy where needed.
- Apply BackupPolicy, RetentionPolicy, and CostPolicy to stores.
Entry criteria:
- Resilience policies applied
Exit criteria:
- Throughput and cost policies configured
Observability & SLOs (pim.ph5.st2.ss2)
Configure logging, metrics, tracing, alerts, and service level objectives.
Viewpoint: policies
Tasks
Configure observability policies (pim.ph5.st2.ss2.t1)
Viewpoint: policies Duration: 45m Inputs:
- Architecture Policy Catalog
- Compute Catalog
- API Catalog
- Integration Topology
- Workflow Model
- Service Boundary Map
Work products: Architecture Policy Catalog
Palette focus:
ObservabilityConfig,LoggingPolicy,MetricPolicy,MetricDimension,TracingPolicy
Steps:
- Define ObservabilityConfig per service.
- Apply LoggingPolicy, MetricPolicy, and TracingPolicy to functions and APIs.
Entry criteria:
- Resilience policies applied
Exit criteria:
- Observability baseline configured
Define alerts, SLOs, and CORS (pim.ph5.st2.ss2.t2)
Viewpoint: policies
Duration: 30m
Inputs: Architecture Policy Catalog, API Catalog, Workflow Model, Service Boundary Map
Work products: Architecture Policy Catalog
Palette focus: AlertPolicy, Slo, CorsPolicy
Steps:
- Create AlertPolicy and Slo elements for critical endpoints.
- Apply CorsPolicy to public API routes.
Entry criteria:
- Observability baseline configured
Exit criteria:
- Alerts and SLOs cover critical paths
Governance & Business Rules (pim.ph5.st2.ss3)
Apply data protection, compliance, and business rule policies.
Viewpoint: policies
Tasks
Apply governance and compliance policies (pim.ph5.st2.ss3.t1)
Viewpoint: policies Duration: 45m Inputs: Architecture Policy Catalog, Security Model, Data Architecture Work products: Architecture Policy Catalog Palette focus:
ArchitecturePolicyPolicySettingDataProtectionPolicyDataQualityPolicyCompliancePolicy
Steps:
- Define ArchitecturePolicy and PolicySetting elements.
- Apply DataProtectionPolicy and CompliancePolicy from CIM governance.
Entry criteria:
- Observability policies configured
Exit criteria:
- Governance policies linked to data and APIs
Map business rules and decision models (pim.ph5.st2.ss3.t2)
Viewpoint: policies
Duration: 45m
Inputs: Architecture Policy Catalog, Workflow Model, API Catalog, Service Boundary Map
Work products: Architecture Policy Catalog
Palette focus: BusinessRule, DecisionModel, DecisionRule
Steps:
- Create BusinessRule elements from CIM policies.
- Model DecisionModel with DecisionRule rows for branching logic.
Entry criteria:
- Governance policies applied
Exit criteria:
- Business rules linked to functions and workflows
External & Config (pim.ph5.st3)
Model external integrations, environments, secrets, and deployment units.
Viewpoint: config
Tasks
Model external endpoints and adapters (pim.ph5.st3.t1)
Viewpoint: config Duration: 45m Inputs:
- Architecture Policy Catalog
- API Catalog
- Integration Topology
- Contract Catalog
- Service Boundary Map
- Architecture Posture
Work products: Configuration Package
Palette focus:
ExternalEndpoint,ExternalAdapter
Steps:
- Create ExternalEndpoint elements from CIM external systems.
- Define ExternalAdapter bindings to integration flows.
Entry criteria:
- Architecture policies applied
Exit criteria:
- External integrations modeled
Configure environments and deployment units (pim.ph5.st3.t2)
Viewpoint: config Duration: 1h Inputs:
- Configuration Package
- Architecture Posture
- Security Model
- Compute Catalog
- API Catalog
-
Integration Topology Work products: Configuration Package Palette focus:
-
Environment DeploymentUnitConfigurationSetConfigParameterEnvironmentVariableSecretCredentialRequirement
Steps:
- Define Environment and DeploymentUnit elements per stage.
- Configure ConfigurationSet, secrets, and credential requirements.
- Set ConfigParameter and EnvironmentVariable values per environment.
Entry criteria:
- External integrations modeled
Exit criteria:
- Environments and config complete for slice
Platform Readiness (pim.ph6)
Assess platform capability mapping, close traceability, and pass PIM EVL gate.
Runs: in engine cycle · Role: Process Reviewer
Phase entry:
- Assurance & Configuration complete for slice
Phase exit:
- PIM EVL passes
- Readiness gate approved
- PIM increment reviewed and improvement actions captured
Platform Mapping Assessment (pim.ph6.st1)
Evaluate platform capability coverage and mapping readiness.
Viewpoint: readiness
Tasks
Assess platform capabilities (pim.ph6.st1.t1)
Viewpoint: readiness Duration: 1h Inputs:
- Configuration Package
- Architecture Posture
- Service Boundary Map
- Data Architecture
- Compute Catalog
- API Catalog
- Integration Topology
- Security Model
- Architecture Policy Catalog
Work products: Platform Readiness Record
Palette focus:
PlatformCapability,PlatformMappingAssessment
Steps:
- Review PlatformCapability coverage against modeled elements.
- Complete PlatformMappingAssessment with gap analysis.
Entry criteria:
- External and config complete
Exit criteria:
- Platform mapping assessment documented
Trace & Readiness Gate (pim.ph6.st2)
Close trace links and production readiness before PIM→PSM transform.
Viewpoint: readiness
Tasks
Complete trace and readiness (pim.ph6.st2.t1)
Viewpoint: readiness Duration: 1-2h Inputs:
- Platform Readiness Record
- PIM Increment Plan
- Architecture Posture
- Service Boundary Map
- Contract Catalog
- Data Architecture
- Compute Catalog
- API Catalog
- Integration Topology
- Workflow Model
- Security Model
- Architecture Policy Catalog
-
Configuration Package Work products: Platform Readiness Record Palette focus:
-
TraceModel TraceLinkTransformationAssumptionProductionReadinessAssessmentReadinessFindingReadinessCheckManualDecision
Steps:
- Build TraceModel links across CIM and PIM elements.
- Complete ProductionReadinessAssessment and resolve findings.
Entry criteria:
- Platform mapping assessment complete
Exit criteria:
- PIM EVL passes; readiness gate approved
Validation:
pim-semantic-validation
Increment Review & Adapt (pim.ph6.st3)
Review the service slice architecture, accept the increment, and adapt the next cycle.
Viewpoint: readiness
Tasks
Review and adapt PIM increment (pim.ph6.st3.t1)
Viewpoint: readiness Duration: 45m Inputs:
- Platform Readiness Record
- PIM Increment Plan
- Architecture Posture
- Security Model
- Architecture Policy Catalog
- Configuration Package Work products: PIM Increment Review Record
Steps:
- Review architecture outcomes against CIM trace links and PIM definition of done.
- Record accepted scope, deferred architecture decisions, and platform mapping feedback.
- Create improvement actions and backlog adjustments for the next service slice.
Entry criteria:
- PIM EVL passes or all blocking findings are dispositioned
Exit criteria:
- Increment accepted or rework loop selected; improvement actions captured
Process transition
The PIM process produces a reviewed PIM revision for PIM-to-AWS-PSM transformation. Review the resulting AWS PSM draft before beginning AWS PSM refinement.