Method and system for encapsulation and re-use of models

A method for importing a first instantiated model into a second model and modifying at least one element from the first model in the second model, wherein the first instantiated model comprises at least one governance setting governing exportation of the at least one element from the first instantiated model, and wherein a governance contract defines the governance settings of each of the at least one element of the first instantiated model, the method comprising:

• receiving a request to import at least one element of the first model into the second model;
• importing instantiated elements of the first model into the second model receiving specification of modifications to at least one element of the first model;
• and
• instantiating in the second model the specified modifications to the at least one specified element.

A computer platform for modeling deployment of computer systems comprising:

• a user interface for entering at least one governance contract for a first model and for requesting modifications of a second model;
• memory for storing the first and second models;
• and a processor executing a program of instruction to:
• create a governance contract comprising at least one of an exportation governance setting and a modification governance setting governing the exportation and modification of attributes of elements from the first model by other models;
• in response to a request to import at least one element of the model, export by reference requested elements with a governance setting that allows for exportation;
• in response to a request to modify at least one imported element in the second model, determine the governance setting for said element;
• and
• modify said element if said element has a governance setting that allows modification by composing the modification in the second model.

A computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium having encoded thereon:

• program code for creating a configuration contract governing the exportation and modification of attributes of elements of a model by other models using a default governance setting, wherein the default governance setting comprises at least one of an element exportation governance setting, and an element modification governance setting;
• program code for defining on a unit basis governance settings that are exceptions to the default governance setting, wherein the governance setting defines the exportation and modification of attributes of elements from the first model by other models;
• program code for, in response to a request to import at least one element of the model into a second model, exporting to the second model by reference requested elements with a governance setting that allows for exportation;
• and
• program code for, in response to a request to modify at least one imported element in the second model, determining the governance setting for said element;
• and
• program code for modifying said element if said element has a governance setting that allows modification by composing the modification in the second model.