Module Link Statistics
Introduction
It's quite simple to create a link between the artifacts in Engineering Requirements Management DOORS Next. Users can create their own link types or use the default DOORS Next links, define the directions of links (and their different labels) and then use them for linking artifacts between each other. However, tracking statistics related to these links can be a challenge, such as the number of linked artifacts in a module and the validity of these links. Although users can build a report in the Report Builder application, it can be a complicated process for new users, requiring them to learn about the tool and invest significant time in report creation. To address this challenge, Softacus has developed a user-friendly widget that simplifies the reporting process. This extension provides users with a quick overview by displaying a pie chart that illustrates the percentage of linked artifacts according to the selected link type. The widget requires only two parameters: artifact type and a link type, making it an efficient and user-friendly solution for tracking link statistics.
Use Cases and Features
Based on the functionalities and use cases that this extension is helping you with, the current version of the extension contains:
Widget information section - section with version, short description and other information about the extension.
Artifact type selection dropdown - drop-down menu for selecting an artifact type.
Link type selection dropdown - drop-down menu for selecting a link type.
Main button - after all necessary selections are made this button must be pressed to start an extension.
Chart display section - this section is used for displaying the created charts. 2 graphs are displayed here. One graph for the linked and not linked artifacts, and another for the validity of the links.
The "Module Link Statistics" extension provides a quick and easy way for requirements engineers and managers to view the visual status of a module in Engineering Requirements Management DOORS Next without needing to access the Report Builder application. With minimal setup requirements, the extension automatically detects the module global configuration and allows users to jump between modules to get an overview. This is particularly useful for users who need to quickly assess the status of a module without the need to navigate through the application's complex reporting tools. The extension helps to save time and improve productivity by providing the following features:
Selecting artifact type - users are able to select an artifact type from a dropdown menu that lists all artifact types created within the project area/component. This selection will enable the user to generate a chart based on the selected artifact type.
Selecting link type - the widget requires also selecting a link type from the dropdown menu that lists all the link types present within the project area/component.
Displaying visual charts - the widget has the capability to generate visual charts for displaying module link statistics.
Display linked artifacts chart - this chart depicts the proportion of artifacts in your module that has at least one link to another artifact. The percentage of linked artifacts is represented in green, while the percentage of artifacts without any links is represented in red. Additionally, hovering over each chart segment provides users with a precise count of linked or unlinked artifacts.
Display the link validity chart - the link validity chart provides insight into the status of processed links. It displays the number of links that are either valid, invalid, or suspect as a percentage. Hovering over the corresponding chart segment will also reveal the exact number of valid, invalid, or suspect links. The chart is divided into the following segments:
Red segment: represents the number of invalid links.
Green segment: represents the number of valid links.
Grey segment: represents the number of suspect links.
Multi-Chart display - this extension is able to display three or more charts simultaneously. This feature is particularly useful for those who have multiple types of requirements in the same module and require a comprehensive visual overview of link statistics. Users can customize the chart parameters, such as artifact and link types, to generate a multi-chart display that meets their specific needs.
Jump between the modules - with our Module Link Statistics extension, you can seamlessly navigate between modules and explore multiple projects at once without requiring extensive setup.
Cache requests storage - the Module Link Statistics extension is able to store chart requests in cache, providing a convenient and efficient method of retrieving past results. Users can save charts of their interest in cache, eliminating the need for repeated setups when returning to a module at a later time.
Removing charts from widget and cache - this feature allows users to remove their previously requested charts from the widget and delete them from the cache, freeing up storage space and ensuring data privacy.
Preconditions and Restrictions
It should be noted that this extension is designed to be executed within the module. Attempting to initiate this extension outside of the module will result in a non-functional state, accompanied by a prompt advising the user to execute the extension from within the module. It is also important to keep in mind that this extension is designed to function exclusively with RM links.
The extension works only with DOORS Next link types, so it offers only DOORS Next link types in the dropdown selection of the link type. Cross application links are not supported.
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