By using FigJam’s component diagram template, you also gain access to a powerful visual workspace, allowing you to quickly build on the template with automated diagramming tools and collaborate seamlessly with your team online.
In the following section, we’ll guide you through maximizing the potential of our UML component diagram template.
How to use the Component Diagram Template
To get started, click the blue “Use Template” button to open the component diagram template in FigJam. Once inside, invite any collaborators to work on the template with you. When you're ready, follow these steps to fill out the component diagram template:
- Pick a System
Choose the system you want to visualize, whether it’s an e-commerce platform, banking system, or another type of project. Align with your team to gather any necessary input before building the diagram.
- Plot Components
Begin by mapping out the various components of your system. The template comes with pre-made component symbols from FigJam’s UML shape pack. Double-click the text on any component to label it with your own. For example, in an e-commerce system, your components might include “User Interface,” “Payment Gateway,” and “Product Catalog.”
- Plot Interfaces
The template includes pre-made interface symbols with editable text boxes. Replace the pre-filled content with your system’s specific interfaces. For instance, in an e-commerce example, you could have interfaces such as “Customer Interface” and “Admin Interface.”
- Adjust Connection Lines
Use the template’s pre-made connection lines to represent the dependencies or relationships between components. Click on a line to reveal white dots on each end, allowing you to drag and adjust its position. The blue dot in the middle can be used to adjust the curve of the line. You can also add context to these connections by using sticky notes or text boxes.
- Customize the Template
Once the key components, interfaces, and connections are mapped out, customize the template to fit your needs. Change colors, adjust font styles, or resize elements to improve clarity or make the diagram visually appealing. You can also modify the connection lines to differentiate them. Click on a line to access the pop-up menu, and then click “Type” to change the line style.
- Share the Diagram
Once your diagram is complete, share it with your team to gather feedback. You can invite them to comment directly on the FigJam board, export the diagram as a PDF or image, generate a shareable link, or embed the board on other websites.
If you prefer to start from scratch, you can use FigJam's UML component diagram tool to create your diagram and access the full UML shape pack.
Component diagram example: e-commerce website
Let’s look at an example of a component diagram representing an e-commerce website. In this scenario, the component diagram should include all the physical components and artifacts that form the e-commerce system. Here are some key components you might include:
- Suppliers
Components labeled “suppliers” would represent entities like warehouses that store and ship goods or production facilities such as factories and workshops. These supplier components are typically connected to other adjacent components, including transportation, logistics, and manufacturing systems.
- Goods
Physical goods are a crucial component in the diagram of an e-commerce website. You can represent them independently or as part of another component, such as a store, warehouse, or factory.
- The Receiving Customer
The receiving customer is another important physical entity to include in the component diagram. While they interact with the system, they are not an internal part of it, so they should be visualized separately from the other components in the diagram.
This kind of component diagram helps provide a clear view of how different physical elements connect and interact within an e-commerce system.
