DORG — Directed Object–Relation Graph

DORG is a minimal architectural model for representing complex systems as directed graphs of objects and relations. Instead of treating diagrams as primary artifacts, DORG defines architecture as a formal structure consisting of objects and directed relations between them.

Within this framework, architectural diagrams become derived projections computed from the underlying object–relation graph. This separation between structure and representation enables deterministic reasoning about system architecture independent of visualization tools or notation styles.

1. Scope

DORG is an applied structural model developed under AstraVerge Research. It provides a minimal formal basis for describing complex technical and organizational systems in terms of objects and their relationships.

Traditional architecture descriptions often rely on diagrams as primary artifacts. In contrast, DORG treats diagrams as derived representations generated from a more fundamental structural model.

This approach allows architectural reasoning to remain stable across different visualization tools, modeling notations, or diagramming conventions.

2. Core principles

DORG is based on several foundational principles:

• Object-centered representation — systems are modeled as collections of discrete objects representing services, components, resources, or organizational entities.
• Directed relations — dependencies and interactions between objects are represented as directed relations within a graph.
• Minimal ontology — the architectural model is reduced to the smallest set of primitives required to describe complex systems: objects and relations.
• Separation of structure and visualization — diagrams are treated as projections derived from the underlying object–relation graph.

3. Graph structure

In the DORG model, a system is represented as a directed graph consisting of:

• objects — nodes representing architectural entities;
• relations — directed edges representing dependencies, interactions, or structural links between objects.

This minimal structure allows architectural descriptions to remain consistent across different levels of abstraction while supporting formal analysis of system dependencies.

4. Architectural projections

Architectural diagrams are treated as projections derived from the underlying object–relation graph.

Different projections may highlight different aspects of the system, including service dependencies, infrastructure layers, functional groupings, or domain boundaries.

Because projections are computed from the same structural model, multiple architectural views remain internally consistent and synchronized.

5. Applications

DORG can be applied to the analysis and modeling of complex systems, including:

• enterprise IT architectures;
• distributed service ecosystems;
• software system dependency analysis;
• organizational and business capability models;
• architecture visualization tools.

6. Relationship to other AstraVerge frameworks

Within the AstraVerge research ecosystem, DORG operates at the structural architecture layer and supports higher-level analytical models:

• UAM (Unified Availability Model) — evaluates availability and degradation across object dependency structures.
• LSEG (Segment-Based Protocol for Data Interpretation) — structures heterogeneous data streams used in observability and system analysis.
• architecture analysis and observability frameworks built on object–relation representations.

7. Status

DORG is an active research model within the AstraVerge program. Its conceptual structure, tooling ecosystem, and analytical methods may evolve as new applications and implementations are developed.

8. Publications

1. Nekludoff, Alexey A. Architecture as a Directed Object–Relation Graph: A Minimal and Complete Model of Complex Systems. AstraVerge Research.