Artifacts in version 4.0

From version 4.0 of objectiF RPM, there is an option of defining individual artifacts and using them in your projects. Amongst other things, it is also possible to create artifact relations between your new artifacts and recognized elements like requirements. With the help of the artifacts and formulas it is possible to react quickly and easily to changes in your processes. Additionally, the artifact relationships contribute to a better understanding of the  traceability of your project. That helps you to configure objectiF RPM just how you need it for your development!

Create artifacts

In the following example we’ll show h0w to create and define an artifact for a change request. To generate the new artifact, select ‘display stereotype’ in the project view.

Display stereotype

In the opened stereotype list there is another new stereotype. Call it up with a right click on the context menu row “Artifact” and then select “create stereotype…”

It is now possible to determine diverse properties for your artifacts. For example, you can create a property from the type ”text” to use for the description of the change form later. Additionally, you can create an option to rate the urgency of the change request from three different levels. To do it you create a property with the type ”List”.

Properties of the stereotype Change Request

The change request needs an owner, too. This defines which stereotypes you can create your newly defined stereotypes onto. To do it, go to the tab ”owner” and use the plus button to add a new owner. In this example, an artifact can be created on a ”package”.

Owner of the artifact

Create artifact relationships

So that the change form can be set in a relationship, the relationship has to be set. In the same view ”Show stereotype” you can find under the entry “Artifact” the entry “ArtifactRelationship”. There you can select again with the context menu the option ”create stereotype”.

The interesting thing about this dialog is the opportunity to create a relationship between two stereotypes. That is done with a simple click of the … button at the end of ”stereotype of the source” and ”stereotype of the goal”. In the dialog that appears next, select the change request as the source and the requirement as the goal.

Create artifact relationship

You have created a relationship between the new and an already existing artifact.

Design the form for the artifact

In order to breathe life into the artifact, you need a recommended form that presents the properties of the artifact. Ideally, create a package under settings with the name forms to be able to manage the forms there.

To create a new form, open the context menu on a package, select ”create form” and then ”form”.

Create a new form

In the dialog that opens, enter the name and the created artifact. Confirm with ”OK” and you can already use the form designer to create your own form.

On the left-hand side you will find the tool box, that can be used to design the form according to your wishes. In the middle you can see the current design and on the right-hand side the properties with which you can adjust the fields and settings.

Overview of the form designer

To better get to know the possibilities of the form designer, we are looking here more closely at the name field. First, you need a field for naming the change request. Then select the control element ”TextBox” and place it in the dialog as the first element.

Text box for the name field

To be able to assign the necessary properties in the control element, select the pointer again and select ”TextBox”. Under ”Properties,” you can change the labels of the elements and instead of ”Label” write ”Name”. Apart from that, the field needs to be assigned a property from the artifact. This step activates the grey button under ”General content”, which is now green, and enables you to select a property for the artifact. In the field next to it, select the property ”Name”.

Properties of the text box

Now the field is configured for the name and the changes can be saved. Now you can simply use the same pattern to configure further properties like ”urgency” and ”description”. Additionally, it has to be possible to represent created references. Add the control element ”References” to your form to do this.

Complete change request form

In the properties area select the artifact relationship you just created under ”general – relationship”. In the selection box, celect ”source”. You can now save and close the form.

If you would like to use your artifact, you can open the context menu of a package and create an artifact using ”create artifact.”

Are you curious? Just sign up for our newsletter to know when the new version of objectiF RPM is available.