Managing traceability

Introduction to the fast link editor

Objecteering Scope Manager uses the Objecteering fast link editor to display the traceability links that exist for an element selected in the explorer (for further information on traceability, please see "The concept of traceability").

Elements are represented in the form of "boxes" and traceability links are shown as oriented links. The selected model element (known as the master element) is represented in the center of the diagram, and is highlighted in blue.

Two types of traceability link are presented:

· "downstream" traceability links, which show traceability from another element to the master element

· "upstream" traceability links, which illustrate traceability from the master element to another element

The fast link editors works in two different modes, edit and browse. The browse mode, as its name suggests, lets you navigate between different elements in the explorer and display the links of the type selected using the bottom left-hand buttons that exist on each element in the fast link editor. The edit mode is used to "freeze" the master element highlighted in the fast link editor, irrespective of selection changes in the explorer. To create or modify links, you must be in edit mode.

An example of a view in the fast link editor is shown below.

The fast link editor displaying the traceability links which exist for the "Draft initial planning" requirement

Showing an element's traceability links

When an element is selected in the explorer, and the traceability view has been activated by clicking on the icon on the bottom left of the fast link editor, the fast link editor automatically displays any traceability links that exist for the selected element. As soon as a different element is selected, the traceability calculation is rerun and the view updated to show the traceability links for the newly selected element.

Showing traceability links for two different elements

Key:

1. You have selected the "Change floor" requirement in the explorer. The fast link editor therefore automatically shows the traceability links which exist for this element.

2. You have now selected the "Draft initial planning" requirement in the explorer, and the fast link editor has automatically updated itself to show the traceability links for this newly selected element.

Switching between the edit and browse modes in the fast link editor

To switch between the edit and browse modes, simply click on the "Switch between edit and browse modes" icon on the bottom right-hand side. A second click on this icon will then lock or unlock the editor.

Alternatively, simply double-click inside the editor itself to switch between the two modes.

When the browse mode is active, the background of the fast link editor is clear. When the edit mode has been selected, a dotted background appears.

Creating traceability links

To create a new traceability link, you have two options:

· creation of a model element from another model element, in which case a traceability link between the two elements is automatically created at the same time (for more information on this operation, please see "Creating model elements from other model elements").

· use of the drag and drop feature to drag elements from the explorer into the fast link editor (on the right or left of the master element), thereby creating a traceability link between the dragged and dropped element and the master element (see the screenshot below).

Using the drag and drop feature to create a traceability link

Steps:

1. In the explorer, select the element you wish to have as master element in the fast link editor, and click on the icon to lock your selection.

2. In the explorer, select the element you want to drag into the fast link editor.

3. Drag this element into the fast link editor.

4. Drop the element on the left-hand side or right-hand side of the master element (to create a "downstream" traceability link or an "upstream" traceability link respectively).

5. This is the result of the previous steps.

Note: It is possible to drag and drop several elements into the fast link editor at the same time.

Selecting an element simultaneously in the fast link editor and the explorer

To select an element simultaneously in the fast link editor and in the explorer, you should hold down the Ctrl key and click on the element in the fast link editor. The explorer then immediately jumps to the same element in the explorer.

Selecting traceability links in the fast link editor

If you click on a traceability link, this link is then selected. It is not possible to move the link, or change its origin or its destination, but it can be deleted simply by pressing on the "Del" key.