The rising complexity of the products and systems being developed globally is driving engineering teams to seek effective model-based engineering practices, including model-based systems engineering (MBSE). Rising compliance demands are driving the need for rigorous change management and lifecycle traceability while at the same time, engineering teams must maintain or improve their quality and engineering productivity.
To achieve these goals, the engineers who create these models must be full participants in the development lifecycle by partaking in activities that span engineering disciplines, such as:
- Planning
- Requirements elaboration and validation
- Change management
- Reporting
With Rhapsody Model Manager (RMM) 6.0.6 and Rhapsody 8.3.1, the enhancements that we have introduced allows users to work in a more seamless way with the other lifecycle development tools, enabling configuration-managed lifecycle traceability across the Jazz platform.
Introducing Rhapsody Model Manager V6.0.6
The first version of Rhapsody Model Manager (V 6.0.5) enabled users to start working with models in a collaborative way, facilitating the engineering disciplines required to manage the lifecycle and develop complex solutions. For details see MBSE across the lifecycle: Introducing Rhapsody Model Manager.
The 6.0.6 version of Rhapsody Model Manager builds on the features and functionality developed in the previous version, enhancing the tool’s capabilities in the following areas:
- Improved coverage of OSLC linking capabilities by enabling the creation of OSLC Links to Rational Quality Manager (RQM) test cases and Rational Team Concert (RTC) work items in a configuration-managed environment.
- Simplified creation of links between remote resources (requirements, test cases, and work items seen in the Rhapsody browser as remote artifacts) and model elements using drag and drop in the model.
- Visibility in the Rhapsody thick client and Model Manager web browser of link direction and also an indication of link storage location, allowing users to see where links are stored.
- Improved integration with Rational Team Concert with new pop-up menu options in the Rhapsody thick client, reducing the need for the user to use the Rational Team Concert Eclipse client (see below).
- The ability to create a Rhapsody Model Manager project as part of a lifecycle project, enabling rapid creation of a set of integrated projects across Rational DOORS Next Generation/Rational DOORS.
- Navigation from the web interface to an element in Rational Rhapsody providing a quick and an easy way to navigate between the web view and the Rhapsody client.
- The schema for generating Rational Publishing Engine reports directly from the RMM server so you do not need the Rhapsody thick client to generate reports. There is also a reportable REST API that allows users to create reports showing traceability elements that are external to RMM, thus enabling the creation of documents that can detail the coverage of requirements by model elements.
- Migration of Models and OSLC links from Rhapsody Design Manager, enabling users to move existing models with links from their existing Rhapsody Design Manager (RDM) Server.
Rational Model Manager 6.0.6 includes two technology previews available for features that we are looking to introduce to the main product for which we are soliciting feedback. As such, technology previews should not be used in production environments and require functionality to be enabled separately from the main product, either through separate licenses and/or a separate download. Here are the two technology previews:
- Allows diagrams from the Rhapsody thick client to be viewed on the web as part of the RMM functionality with hyperlinked navigation and indication of updates.
2. Conversion of RTC server to RMM server
- Under Externally Managed Mode, the Rational Team Concert server as acts as the configuration management server for models for RDM, this technology preview enables the conversion of that RTC server to an RMM server.
Introducing Rhapsody 8.3.1
With the advent of Rhapsody Model Manager, Rhapsody has also had new usability features added to it. These are following the theme of reducing the need for the users to access the Rational Team Concert Eclipse client. Users will find more Configuration Management features such as Save and Check-in, Deliver and Associating Change Requests as well as Lock/Unlock directly available to them from the Rhapsody toolbar.
There has also been a considerable effort in this (and coming releases) to unify the look and feel of the Rhapsody display options and the combo box. We recently completed the work on unifying the display options, which has resulted in a much more uniform and standardized approach to how the display options look and feel to the user. They are much more intuitive and easier to use.
Users will also find a big difference with how their diagrams can look and feel in this version of Rhapsody. At last, we have bridges for rectilinear lines, thus giving a clear indication to users of what lines are crossing each other.
Rhapsody now also has a new model element called a Diagram View, which enables users to apply a filter via a query to a diagram and show the resulting output as a view in its own right. This is much more powerful than the previous way of applying a query to a diagram, which made the diagram read-only. Now the original diagram can still be worked on and updates seen in the diagrams views themselves.
Finally, there is also a technical preview for Rhapsody for the ability to create navigable HTML documentation of the Rhapsody model using Rational Publishing Engine. This functionality allows the user to create a set of web documentation based upon the structure of the model browser. If the user customizes the format of the model browser, this is reflected in the structure of the output document. This means users have a very easy way to generate structured documentation that could follow a company’s typical model structure. This technical preview can be found at Hyperlinked HTML reporting.
Rational Model Manager is part of the IBM Continuous Engineering solution. To download and install RMM, go to https://jazz.net/downloads/rhapsody-model-manager. RMM cloud trials will be coming to jazz.net soon.
Graham Bleakley, Ph.D.
MBSE Offering Manager
graham.bleakley@uk.ibm.com
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Hello,
The hyperlinked html reporting is not accessible. (IBM notice : the page you requested cannot be displayed)
How can i try it please ?
Hi Juelien
Sorry for the delay in responding to this, i only just saw it. Please try this link.
https://www-01.ibm.com/marketing/iwm/iwm/web/dispatcher.do?source=swerpsw-rhapsody-3
You will need a Jazz.net password to get access to it.
Best regards Graham