Scenario of the video:

Just trying..

We (http://www.cmcons.com) constantly implement IBM Rational tools, i.e. we face both features of the tools and their limitations in practice.
Here I will speak about probably the most important tool when it comes to support of change processes - IBM Rational ClearQuest. I will not tell you about the tool itself since there are special materials on this topic. I want only to point out that it controls all changes in a project, or rather all change requests (CR).
In ClearQuest, change requests can be of the following types:

    * Enhancement request – New requirements from a client.
    * Defect – Documented defect.
    * Task – Planned task, task for defect correction or task for enhancement request implementation. All ClearQuest users deal with different CRs – analysts work with change requests, testers – with defects. But, one way or another, all project participants work with tasks, since in practice tasks are planned requests that have planned start and finish dates and many other attributes connected with planning (completion rate, workload, etc.).

Commonly, on basis of any enhancement request (or any defect) one task or multiple tasks (plan) are created for solving the request, i.e. a hierarchical chain is built:

• Request
  • Task
    • Subtask 1
      • Subtask …n

Every task has its owner, start and finish dates, planned and actual dates, etc. Also, upon completion of every task the request can be closed. Besides, tasks may have not only hierarchical relations (decomposition relations), but also relations of the Dependence type.

This is how any change tracking system including ClearQuest works in practice.

The advantage of the ClearQuest is that it stores data on both top-down and bottom-up relations between objects in a chain.

BUT! ClearQuest does not offer any tool for visualizing the change request hierarchy (regardless of the change request type – task, defect or any other).
I.e. Clear Quest stores all requests with all relations in the database, but represents them as a flat list. Using the Query tool you can represent anything you want as a hierarchy, but to do it, you should build special reports. However, the practice shows that our users do not like building reports much, the more so because the reports should be build with great care.

Several times we tried to eliminate this shortcoming and have developed the following tools:

• Package for visualizing the hierarchy of enhancement requests (Module for visualizing the hierarchy of change requests in ClearQuest). This package successfully solves the task of visualization, but it has the essential shortcoming – it works only on the Windows platform. It is a disappointing shortcoming, indeed, but it is what it is.
  
  
• Special module for integration with MS Project – ClearQuest and MS Project extended integration module (ProjectTracker) allows planning and tracking tasks from MS Project. The idea is rather simple – to track a project progress, a manager works with MS Project, as usual. It is the best decision for big projects or for reallocating resources between projects. By the way, it eliminates another shortcoming – without using MS Project, it would not be easy for a manager to rearrange tasks, especially when there are a couple hundred of them. But there is another BUT – a manager receives data with a certain delay since data needs to be synchronized. And again, this decision works only on Windows platform.

• The idea to develop a tool for Eclipse rose long ago, but we have managed to implement it only this year. As a result the GanttChart 1.0 for ClearQuest module has been developed. It allows the project manager or any project participant to visualize the hierarchy of change requests directly from ClearQuest.

GanttChart 1.0 for ClearQuest  will be of interest for those who use IBM Rational ClearQuest and who lack for project management fucntionality. The module does not substitute the existing project management tools. It just adds reports to IBM Rational (in the next versions of the module, the most of MS Project functions will probably be transferred from MS Project to ClearQuest). The module significantly simplifies management of complex hierarchical tasks and releases project managers from their routine allowing them to concentrate on the most important problems.

GanttChart 1.0 for ClearQuest is the next generation product designed for joint operation with  IBM Rational ClearQuest Eclipse. All management functions are available right after the installation in the ClearQuest standard menu.

GanttChart 1.0 for ClearQuest  is a flexible decision that allows configuring any change requests with different relations and with any nesting level, providing ability for fine tuning of additional fields.

The following are the main features of the  GanttChart 1.0 for ClearQuest :

1. Multiplatform application. The module is integrated into the Eclipse client of IBM Rational ClearQuest and works on different platforms – Widows and Unix.
2. No need to use additional tools. All functions are available in one tool - IBM Rational ClearQuest client – except for budgeting, resource allocation and project portfolio management.
3. Single source of information and real-time synchrinization mode. The module allows displaying the actual state of project tasks on basis of last chnages in IBM Rational ClearQuest. This is performed without any additional synchronization or duplication of the IBM Rational ClearQuest data into some other project management system. All data is visualized in the real-time mode.
4. Access to all fucntions of IBM Rational ClearQuest. Since the module is integrated into the IBM Rational ClearQuest client, a user has the access to both the planning funtionality on basis of Gannt chart  and to all functions of IBM Rational ClearQuest – making queries, building reports and charts, etc. – at the same time.

The beta version of this tool will soon be released.
More info about GanttChart 1.0 for ClearQuest
http://www.rational-tools.info
http://www.cmcons.com

Color coding allows highlighting tasks according to their statuses, for example, green – completed, yellow – in progress, red – late, blue – as planned.

Visualization of task hierarchy and decomposition of tasks: grouping of works and tasks by requests or defects.

Essay papers are the commonly used in the search engines.

I want to increase my understanding of Dimensions 7.2 ipbuilder, can anybody help?

Please join me at today's ALM Expo.  It's a great place to learn about CM, Agile & ALM, join in on some conference sessions and connect with your peers.

ALM Expo 2009 - ALM and the New Economy Free Online Conference

CM Crossroads is hosting the 2009 ALM Expo TOMORROW!!!

The module of the visualization of the ClearQuest tasks hierarchy as Gantt diagram

The module is made in the form of Plug-in for IBM Rational ClearQuest 7.0 and upper. This module is intended for every person who uses IBM Rational ClearQuest and is short of project management capabilities. The module does not substitute for existing project management tools but adds the operational sections into IBM Rational. For the most experienced users the functions of this module will be absolutely enough for ad-hock planning and operational management of their projects. The module has no analogues in the world!

ALM Expo 2009 - ALM and the New Economy Free Online Conference

CM Crossroads is hosting the 2009 ALM Expo next week on October 15th. The ALM Expo is a one day, virtual conference and technology showcase. It will be a great event to learn what's going on in the Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) community and how CM, Build, Agile and other areas impact the latest in ALM. This year's topic of "ALM in the New Economy" features six hours of high-interest discussions by industry experts and live audience Q&A, beginning with a keynote panel discussion led by noted author and columnist, Mario Moreira. The exhibit hall is packed with virtual exhibit booths where attendees may investigate new products and services, view streaming media demos, view literature and white papers, get in on vendor sponsored drawings and even engage in live discussions with product developers. All conference material and exhibits will be available online at no cost to registered attendees beginning October 15th, 2009 and for 6 months following the live event. Register today.

Over the last 24-hours we have been busy migrating to a new green server, which is now live! We are hoping that you notice the increased performance on the site and that the transition goes smoothly. However, some of you who may have uploaded images, made status updates or participated in the forums and groups during the transition may have to re-post these items. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please continue to let us know how we can make cmcrossroads.com even better in the future!