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'TimeTracker' Working hours tracking module for ClearQuest

Task to  be performed, active button on taskbar

IBM Rational ClearQuest TimeTracker allows you to improve the process of estimating time actually spent on tasks and increase effectiveness of working time planning, both personal and of the whole project. It also allows saving ClearQuest licenses used.
ClearQuest TimeTracker allows you to launch tracking of time spent on tasks by the single mouse click.
Since ClearQuest Time Tracker automatically gets the list of tasks and updates task statuses, the time an employee spends working with ClearQuest significantly reduces, that allows saving up to 40% of ClearQuest licenses. Such saving is achieved due to decrease of user session duration in ClearQuest.


GanttChart for ClearQuest. Testimonials

The major advantage of the GanttChart tool is the ability to graphically represent states of activities. When you have a large number of activities it is difficult to visually represent and estimate them using the grid view only. In such case, a chart is very useful. Another advantage is the possibility to modify dates of activities in graphic view (i.e. in a chart itself) that simplifies data updating in ClearQuest.

Jesuino Jose de Freitas Neto, IT Executive Manager, Banco do Nordeste do Brazil, Federal  Bank of Brazil


 
This is a usefull and successful solution allowing to simplify a life to ClearQuest users who got used to work with Gantt charts. Visualisation of hierarchy and relationships of change requests of different types allows to accelerate the analysis of a current tasks' status and to make a decision faster. 
Dmitry Lapygine, Rational Technical Specialist, IBM EE/A, SWG Department.

 
With GanttChart module my team achieved possibility to plan tasks for  change requests resolving right after acceptance, in the same tool, without any intermediate steps. I recommend this tool as a rapid-planning extension to all teams, which use ClearQuest. 
Rustam Zaydullin, Lead analyst, SCM Specialist, TatNeft (Oil company).


CM-Consult’s GanttChart is a product that was wanted by many project managers using IBM Rational ClearQuest. It allows executing almost every PM’s task within IBM Rational ClearQuest in a new and agile way.
Vasily Razuvaykin,  former Rational sales specialist, IBM (2005-2007)

See details




The new version of GanttChart for ClearQuest is available!

GanttChart 1.3 for ClearQuestGanttChart for ClearQuest 1.3 is a plug-in for IBM Rational ClearQuest 7.1 or later version. This plug-in is of interest for everybody who uses IBM Rational ClearQuest and who lacks for project management functionality. The module does not substitute the existing project management tools. It just adds operational slices into IBM Rational. For most users, the functions provided by the plug-in are enough for planning and operation management (see more info).

New features in version 1.3:

1. Ability to demonstrate a workload diagram to the owners basing on the selected diagram or general workload by projects:

  • Building the owners workload diagram on basis of the Gantt chart built earlier or data from ClearQuest
  • Representing the owners workload diagram in two views: In task view with ability to perform planning; In bar chart vie
  • Building the workload diagram by owners
  • Distributing change requests into basic (for example, tasks that have planned dates and workload), and auxiliary (for example, defects and enhancement requests that do not have planned dates and workload) by workload
  • Splitting the workload diagram into sections by owners
  • Automatically synchronizing changes in the Gantt chart and the workload diagram to improve the effectiveness of planning

Read more (screenshots and video) -->




Site news. May'10: new article and technical information
Follow us on  Twitter
Besides, we have published testimonialsof our customers and IBM specialist on GanttChart. 

In Articles and Media section, the new articleImplementing IBM RSA and IBM ClearQuest integration: UML to State-Machine with RSA plug-in. Original sources are attached to the article. In the Technical information, release notes etc. section, the following materials have been published:



GanttChart for ClearQuest. User Guide. Ver 1.3

 

Main contacts

 

CM-Consult company

Mail site: http://rational-tools.info (English site)

 

Company site: http://cmcons.com (Russian site) Blog: IBM Blog (English blog) E'mails: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
  • Moscow
    • Uznobutovskaya st, 23, Moscow, Russia
    • Phone & fax: +7(495) 648-63-28
  • Kaliningrad
    • Office 213, Garajnaya st. 2, Kaliningrad, Russia
    • Phone & fax: +7 (4012) 563671

     

Partners in Europe
Contacts in Germany, IBTS - International Business & Technology Solutions

Internet: http://www.ibts-online.com

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Scheelestr. 108, D-12209 Berlin

Tel.: +49 (0)30 755 14 304

Fax: +49 (0)30 755 14 348

Contents

1. List of Abbreviations and Terms

2. Glossary

3. Introduction

3.1 Field of Application of This Document

3.2 Purpose of This Document

3.3 System Requirements

4. General Description

5. Configuration

5.1 Setting up parameters

5.2 Export and import of settings

6. Using the plug-in

6.1 Building a Gantt chart

6.2 Opening forms

6.3 Modifying planned dates

6.4 Reassigning owners

6.5 Owners workload

6.6 Saving changes

6.7 Export information

6.8 Visualization of states

7. Appendix A

 

List of Abbreviations and Terms

Abbreviation Expansion
CM Change management
DB Database

Glossary

Term Interpretation
ClearQuest IBM Rational change management system
Change Request Document/ ClearQuest object

Introduction

Field of Application of This Document

This Guide is intended for users of ClearQuest.

Purpose of This Document

The document provides users with information on functionality of the GanttChart for ClearQuest application that allows effectively use ClearQuest when planning works and tracking their statuses. The document covers the following topics:
  • Configuring the application
  • Using the application

System Requirements

To be able to use the GanttChart for ClearQuest plug-in you must have
  • IBM Rational ClearQuest Eclipse Client 7.0.0 or later version.

General Description

GanttChart for ClearQuest is the plug-in for the Eclipse client for ClearQuest that provides the following opportunities:
Building a Gantt chart on basis of executed queries. It allows building a chart of any necessary view.
  • Visualizing change request hierarchy and relations between the requests in the form of a Gantt chart.
  • Visualizing task completion rate.
  • Visualizing ratio of planned to actual dates.
  • Visualizing change requests using different colour schemes depending on the completion rate and ratio of planned to actual dates.
  • Splitting a Gantt chart on sections for visualization of composite requests for more convenient analysis and work planning.
  • Changing and saving results of updating planned dates of change requests.
  • Assigning owners for change requests;
  • Visualizing workload of an owners;
  • Opening forms of change requests from a Gantt chart;
  • Printing;
  • Visualizing State Chart Diagram;
  • Exporting to MS Project XML file.

    Configuration

     

    Setting up parameters

     

     

    Configuration includes setting up the parameters of record types for which the Gantt chart will be build. First, you should set up the connection to the DB (see Figure 1. Setting up the connection to the ClearQuest database).

     


    Figure 1. Setting up the connection to the ClearQuest database

    To adjust the module settings, in the Window menu, select Preferences. (see Figure 2. Opening the dialog box for adjusting the module settings).

     


     

    Figure 2. Opening the dialog box for adjusting the module settings
    In the Preferences dialog box, on the left, select CMC Plug-ins/GanttChart for ClearQuest. The Preferences dialog box will open. (see Figure 3. Configuring the module (the ALMRequest entity is taken as an example). This dialog box contains the following tabs:
    1. Record types - on this tab, you can configure all necessary record types, for which the Gantt chart will be built.
    2. Record types hierarchy - on this tab, you can set up all necessary relations between change requests:
      1. Hierarchical relations
      2. Sequential relations
    3. Advanced - on this tab, you can adjust additional settings.
    4. Custom - on this tab, you can adjust some custom settings to make your work with GanttChart for ClearQuest more convenient.


    Figure 3. Configuring the module (the ALMRequest entity is taken as an example)

    The Record types tab contains the following settings:
    1. Connection - the list of active ClearQuest connections. In this list, you should select the connection to the user's ClearQuest database.
    2. Record types - the list of record types that are used in the user's ClearQuest DB. In this list, select the record types that should be used for building the Gantt chart. For every record type, you can set up a number of parameters displayed on the right of the record types list:
      1. Modify action - the action performed by ClearQuest to modify the change request. It is used for saving planned values for the change requests. This is an optional parameter. You need not set it up unless you need to save changes in the Gantt chart.
      2. Assign action - the action performed by ClearQuest to transfer a change request into the Assigned state. It is used if it is necessary to automatically transfer a change request into the Assigned state when an owner is assigned to the request. This is an optional parameter. You need not set it up unless you need to automatically transfer a change request into the Assigned state.
      3. Headline - this field contains a brief description. This is a mandatory parameter.
      4. Owner - this field contains a name of an owner assigned to a change request. This parameter is optional.
      5. Plan start date - this field contains a planned date of starting work in the ClearQuest request. This field is not mandatory for change requests with child requests.
      6. Plan end date - this field contains a planned date of finishing work in the ClearQuest request. This field is not mandatory for change requests with child requests.
      7. Actual start date - this field contains an actual date of starting work in the ClearQuest request. This field is not mandatory for change requests with child requests.
      8. Actual end date - this field contains an actual date of finishing work in the ClearQuest request. This field is not mandatory for change requests with child requests.
      9. Completing percent - this field contains the task completion rate. Its value should fall into the range between 0 and 100. This parameter is optional.


    Figure 4. Configuring the hierarchy for the ALMActivity entity

    For setting up relations between change requests, you should open the Record types hierarchy tab (see Figure 4. Configuring the hierarchy for the ALMActivity entity). This tab contains the Record types list containing the list of record types that were configured on the Record types tab. For every record type, you can set up a number of relationship parameters:

     

    1. Parameters for hierarchical relations, that are displayed in a Gantt chart as aggregated tasks:
      1. Parent record - a parent change request for the request that is currently being configured.
      2. Child record - a child change request for the request that is currently being configured.
    2. Parameters for the sequential relations:
      1. Predecessor record - a change request that goes before the request that is currently being configured.
      2. Successor record - a change request that goes after the request that is currently being configured.

     


    Figure 5. Additional settings

    The Advanced tab contains the following settings:
    1. Color theme - the color scheme that will be applied to a Gantt chart.
    2. Use color events - if this option is selected, all tasks will be highlighted by different colors depending on their states:
      1. Grey - the task has not been planned.
      2. Blue - the task has been planned and the plan end date has not come yet.
      3. Yellow - the task has been planned and is in progress.
      4. Crimson - the task has been planned, but the planned start date is past due.
      5. Red - the task has been planned and the planned finish date is past due.
      6. Green - the task is completed.
    3. Split chart by section - if this option is selected, the Gantt chart is divided into sections concerning records of the first level of hierarchy.
    4. Use AMWorkActivitySchedule package - if this option is selected, you can use the AMWorkActivitySchedule package.
    5. Use users - allows creating lists of owners for using them in the Gantt chart the workload diagram:
      1. Use the record choice list - creates the list of owners that corresponds to the selected record and its Owner field;
      2. Use owners workload - allows selecting the necessary User entity which will be used a basis for building a diagram of workload per owner.
      3. Use users record type - creates the list of owners on basis of the Users record type;
      4. Use specified record type - creates the list of owners on basis of the specified type of record Record type and its main field User name, which contains the owner name.
      5. Use record types for workload - a list of configured record types which will be used as a basis for building a workload diagram;
      6. Split a diagram into sections - a workload diagram in addition to splitting by owners will also be splitted into sections by record types.
    6. Enable change preferences by administrators only - if this option is selected, the settings can be edited only by users with Super user and Security admin privileges.


    Figure 6. Custom settings

    The Custom tab contains the following elements:
    • Auto build queries - allows defining the list of queries. As a result of execution of these queries, a Gantt chart will be automatically built.

    To finish the configuration, click Apply.

    Export and import of settings

    GanttChart for ClearQuest allows exporting and importing settings. You can do it in the Preferences window using the corresponding buttons (see Figure 7. Buttons for exporting and importing settings).

     

    Figure 7. Buttons for exporting and importing settings

    To export settings, perform the following steps:
    1. In the Preferences window, click Export.
    2. In the dialog box, select the directory and specify the name of the file that will store the imported settings.
    To import settings, perform the following steps:
    1. In the Preferences window, click Import.
    2. In the dialog box, select the file with the settings.
    3. To apply the new settings, click Apply.

    Using the plug-in

     

    Building a Gantt chart

    Since GanttChart for ClearQuest uses requests selected from the ClearQuest, to build a Gantt chart it is necessary to execute a query that will return the list of records (see Figure 8. Configuring the filter of displayed records).


    Figure 8. Configuring the filter of displayed records

    In the CMC Plug-ins menu, select GanttCart for ClearQuest (see Figure 9. Launching the plug-in). The new tab GanttCart for ClearQuest will open (see Figure 10. Plug-in's tab displayed in ClearQuest).


    Figure 9. Launching the plug-in

    On the GanttCart for ClearQuest tab, in the Executed queries list, select the executed query and, to build a Gantt chart, click Fill from result (see Figure 10. Plug-in's tab displayed in ClearQuest, Figure 11. Running a query).


    Figure 10. Plug-in's tab displayed in ClearQuest


    Figure 11. Running a query

    As a result of the plug-in installation and configuration, you will get the Gantt chart (see Figure 12. Displaying the Gantt chart).


    Figure 12. Displaying the Gantt chart

    Opening forms

    GanttChart for ClearQuest allows opening forms of change requests directly from a Gantt chart. To open a change request form, click the necessary task in the Gantt chart. The ClearQuest form will open where you can perform all regular operations with the request, i.e. view, modify, change its state, etc.
    Figure 13. ClearQuest Form Opened from a Gantt Chart

     

    Modifying planned dates

    GanttChart for ClearQuest supports changing planned dates directly from a Gantt chart. To be able to modify planned dates for tasks, you should specify the following parameters:
    1. Fields containing planned dates.
    2. Modify action for a record.
    To modify planned dates for a task on a Gantt chart, you should pull one of the tasks ends by the cursor. GanttChart for ClearQuest also supports grouped operations for tasks of a Gantt chart.
    1. Selecting a group of tasks. You can select multiple tasks by clicking Shift or Ctrl and selecting the necessary tasks. Also, you can select a group of tasks by clicking Ctrl and then, using the right mouse button, selecting an area on a Gantt chart where the necessary tasks are displayed (see Figure 14. Selecting a group of tasks)


    Figure 14. Selecting a group of tasks

    1. Modifying a group of tasks. To modify a group of tasks, you should modify one of the selected tasks holding the Ctrl button.
    2. Modifying connected tasks. To modify connected tasks, you should modify one of the selected tasks holding the Shift button.
    3. Aggregated tasks. When you move an aggregated task, its child tasks are also moved, including the aggregated ones.
    The plug-in allows evaluating how the new planned dates differ from the previous ones. To do it, right-click a Gantt chart and select Show Planned Dates (see Figure 15. Displaying the shift between old and new planned dates). In the chart, additional green and red lines appear indicating the shift between old and new planned start dates and planned finish dates correspondingly. If a task has actual dates, these lines will indicate the shift between actual and planned dates of the task.


    Figure 15. Displaying the shift between old and new planned dates

    Reassigning owners

    GanttChart for ClearQuest allows assigning owners for change requests directly from a Gantt chart. To make it possible, it is necessary to apply the following settings for the record type:
    1. Owner field.
    2. Modify or Assign action.
    To assign a new owner or reassign an existing owner, do the following:
    1. On a Gantt chart, right-click a task and select Assign owner.
    2. The dialog appears (see Figure 16. Selecting an owner) with the list of available owners. To find a necessary owner in a large list, use the filter field.


    Figure 16. Selecting an owner

    1. Click OK to save changes, or Cancel to quit without saving.
    2. Before you have saved the new settings, you can restore the previous owner by clicking Restore.

    Owners workload

    GanttChart for ClearQuest allows building a workload diagram by owners on basis of data from the Gantt chart built earlier or data from ClearQuest. There are two ways to open the workload diagram:
    1. From the toolbar of the Gantt Chart


    Figure 17. Opening the workload diagram from the toolbar

    1. From the right-click menu of a task on the Gantt chart. For every task that is used for building the workload diagram, there are two additional items in the right-click menu:
      1. Show owners workload - the workload diagram will be built for owners that are selected from the Owner list for the selected record type;
      2. Show workload of available owners - the workload diagram will be built for owners that are available in the Owner list for the selected record type. This menu item is available, if the Use the record choice list option is selected in owner settings.


    Figure 18. Opening the workload diagram from the right-click menu of a task


    Figure 19. Toolbar of the workload diagram

    To build the workload diagram, set the following parameters on the toolbar of the workload diagram (see Figure 19. Toolbar of the workload diagram):
    • Period - in this field, specify the start and the end dates of the period for which the diagram should be built. By default, the start date is equal to the current date; the end date is set as current date plus two months.
    • Style - allows setting the style of the workload diagram display.
      • Tasks - in the workload diagram, in a section for every owner, a list of tasks is displayed that are assigned to the owner for the specified period. The distinguishing feature of this diagram is that you can change the planned dates for the selected tasks right from the diagram;


    Figure 20. Workload diagram: the tasks view.

    • Bars - in a section for every owner, a bar chart is build, where the height of bars for every date represents the number of tasks assigned for this owner. The color of bars depends on the number of tasks assigned to the owner:
      • Blue - one task is assigned to the owner;
      • Yellow - two tasks are assigned to the owner;
      • Red - tree or more tasks are assigned to the owner;


    Figure 21. Workload diagram: the bar view

    • Source - this option allows selecting a source for building the workload diagram:
    1. GanttChart - the workload diagram is built on basis of tasks from the Gantt chart;
    2. ClearQuest - the workload diagram is built on basis of ClearQuest records.

     

    • Owners - a list of owners for which the workload diagram is build. To specify the owner list, click the Select owners


    Figure 22. Selecting owners

     

    1. To build or refresh the workload diagram, click the Build diagram
    2. Synchronization of task parameter changes - when the planned dates of a task are changed on one diagram, they are automatically changed on another. This functionality is available when the task view of workload diagram is selected;
    3. Synchronization of display period change - when you scroll one diagram in horizontal direction, the other diagram is scrolled synchronously;
    4. Synchronization of diagram zooming - when you click buttons Zoom in

    Figure 23. Synchronous display of diagrams

     

    Saving changes

    To save the results of planning in the Gantt chart, you can use two methods (see Figure 17. Saving changes.):

    • Complete saving of all changes Click


    Figure 17. Saving changes.

     


    Figure 18. Selecting tasks for saving

    The process of updating the planned dates is logged into the console window of the Eclipse client for ClearQuest (see Figure 19. Log of the planned dates saving process):


    Figure 19. Log of the planned dates saving process

    Export information

    GanttChart for ClearQuest allows you to export the displayed information to the file in MS Project XML. For export, follow these steps:
    • Click "Export";

    Figure 20. Exporting data

    • Set the file name that you want to export the information;


    Figure 21. Selecting file name

    • Launch MS Project and select "FileaOpen";
    • Choose a file export;


    Figure 22. Opening file

    • Select "Append the data to active project"


    Figure 23. Import Wizard

    • The new plan to add a display field "Text1" and "Text2", which contain CQID information and the type of record ClearQuest;


    Figure 24. Inserting text fields

    • Information on the planned dates stored in the baseline, so to display it on the MS Project Gantt chart to choose the type of View "Tracking Gantt"

    Figure 25. View "Tracking Gantt"

    Visualization of states

    GanttChart for ClearQuest allows you to view a state chart diagram for the selected change request. To do this, follow these steps:
    • At the required change request, right-click and choose "Show state chart"

    Figure 26. Openning state chart

    • On the resulting graph displays the states and transitions between states. In parentheses at the transitions is also reflected in the number of transitions executed during the entire lifecycle of the change request.

    Figure 27. StateChart Vizualizer

     

    Appendix A

    Example of ALM-schema configuration

    The following configuration is given for guidance only. This appendix contains detailed description of configuration and step-by-step instructions for adjusting the ALM-schema:
    • Changes in the schema. Since the ALM-schema does not have all necessary fields for setting planned and actual dates, you should add them using ClearQuest Designer. For the ALMActivity record type it is necessary to add the following fields:
    1. Plan_start - planned start date, type DATE_TIME;
    2. Plan_start - planned end date, type DATE_TIME;
    3. Fact_start - actual start date, type DATE_TIME;
    4. Fact_end - actual end date, type DATE_TIME;
    5. Percent_complete - completion rate, type INT;
    6. PredecessorActivity - predecessor for a task, type REFERENCE_LIST for the record type ALMActivity;

    • Configuring the application
      • Configuring fields for ALMRequest:

  • Configuring fields for ALMTask:
  • Configuring fields for ALMAcivity:
  • Configuring relations for ALMTask:
  • Configuring relations for ALMRequest:
  •  

     




    GanttChart for ClearQuest. User Guide. Ver 1.2

     

    CM-Consult company

    Mail site: http://rational-tools.info (English site)

    Company site: http://cmcons.com (Russian site)

    Blog: IBM Blog (English blog)

    E'mails: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

    • Moscow
      • Uznobutovskaya st, 23, Moscow, Russia
      • Phone & fax: +7(495) 648-63-28
    • Kaliningrad
      • Office 213, Garajnaya st. 2, Kaliningrad, Russia
      • Phone & fax: +7 (4012) 563671

       Partners in Europe

    Contacts in Germany,

    IBTS - International Business & Technology Solutions

    Internet: http://www.ibts-online.com

    E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Scheelestr. 108, D-12209 Berlin

    Tel.: +49 (0)30 755 14 304

    Fax: +49 (0)30 755 14 348

    Contents

    1. List of Abbreviations and Terms 

    2. Glossary 

    3. Introduction 

    3.1 Field of Application of This Document 

    3.2 Purpose of This Document 

    3.3 System Requirements 

    4. General Description 

    5. Configuration 

    5.1 Setting up parameters 

    5.2 Export and import of settings 

    6. Using the plug-in 

    6.1 Building a Gantt chart 

    6.2 Opening forms 

    6.3 Modifying planned dates 

    6.4 Reassigning owners 

    6.5 Saving changes 

    6.6 Export information 

    6.7 Visualization of states 

    7. Appendix A 

     

     

     

    List of Abbreviations and Terms

     

    Abbreviation

    Expansion

    CM

    Change management

    DB

    Database

     

     

    Glossary

     

    Term

    Interpretation

    ClearQuest

    IBM Rational change management system

    Change Request

    Document/ ClearQuest object

     

     

     

    Introduction

     

     

    Field of Application of This Document

     

    This Guide is intended for users of ClearQuest.

     

     

    Purpose of This Document

     

    The document provides users with information on functionality of the GanttChart for ClearQuest application that allows effectively use ClearQuest when planning works and tracking their statuses.

    The document covers the following topics:

    • Configuring the application
    • Using the application

     

     

    System Requirements

     

    To be able to use the GanttChart for ClearQuest plug-in you must have

    • IBM Rational ClearQuest Eclipse Client 7.0.0 or later version.

     

     

    General Description

     

    GanttChart for ClearQuest is the plug-in for the Eclipse client for ClearQuest that provides the following opportunities:

    • Building a Gantt chart on basis of executed queries. It allows building a chart of any necessary view.
    • Visualizing change request hierarchy and relations between the requests in the form of a Gantt chart.
    • Visualizing task completion rate.
    • Visualizing ratio of planned to actual dates.
    • Visualizing change requests using different colour schemes depending on the completion rate and ratio of planned to actual dates.
    • Splitting a Gantt chart on sections for visualization of composite requests for more convenient analysis and work planning.
    • Changing and saving results of updating planned dates of change requests.
    • Assigning owners for change requests.
    • Opening forms of change requests from a Gantt chart;
    • Printing;
    • Visualizing State Chart Diagram;
    • Exporting to MS Project XML file.

     

     

    Configuration

     

     

    Setting up parameters

     

    Configuration includes setting up the parameters of record types for which the Gantt chart will be build. First, you should set up the connection to the DB (see Figure 1. Setting up the connection to the ClearQuest database).

     

    Figure 1. Setting up the connection to the ClearQuest database

     

    To adjust the module settings, in the Window menu, select Preferences. (see Figure 2. Opening the dialog box for adjusting the module settings).

    Figure 2. Opening the dialog box for adjusting the module settings

     

    In the Preferences dialog box, on the left, select CMC Plug-ins/GanttChart for ClearQuest. The Preferences dialog box will open. (see Figure 3. Configuring the module (the ALMRequest entity is taken as an example). This dialog box contains the following tabs:

    1. Record types - on this tab, you can configure all necessary record types, for which the Gantt chart will be built.
    2. Record types hierarchy - on this tab, you can set up all necessary relations between change requests:
      1. Hierarchical relations
      2. Sequential relations
    3. Advanced - on this tab, you can adjust additional settings.
    4. Custom - on this tab, you can adjust some custom settings to make your work with GanttChart for ClearQuest more convenient.

    Figure 3. Configuring the module (the ALMRequest entity is taken as an example)

     

    The Record types tab contains the following settings:

    1. Connection - the list of active ClearQuest connections. In this list, you should select the connection to the user's ClearQuest database.
    2. Record types - the list of record types that are used in the user's ClearQuest DB. In this list, select the record types that should be used for building the Gantt chart. For every record type, you can set up a number of parameters displayed on the right of the record types list:
      1. Modify action - the action performed by ClearQuest to modify the change request. It is used for saving planned values for the change requests. This is an optional parameter. You need not set it up unless you need to save changes in the Gantt chart.
      2. Assign action - the action performed by ClearQuest to transfer a change request into the Assigned state. It is used if it is necessary to automatically transfer a change request into the Assigned state when an owner is assigned to the request. This is an optional parameter. You need not set it up unless you need to automatically transfer a change request into the Assigned state.
      3. Headline - this field contains a brief description. This is a mandatory parameter.
      4. Owner - this field contains a name of an owner assigned to a change request. This parameter is optional.
      5. Plan start date - this field contains a planned date of starting work in the ClearQuest request. This field is not mandatory for change requests with child requests.
      6. Plan end date - this field contains a planned date of finishing work in the ClearQuest request. This field is not mandatory for change requests with child requests.
      7. Actual start date - this field contains an actual date of starting work in the ClearQuest request. This field is not mandatory for change requests with child requests.
      8. Actual end date - this field contains an actual date of finishing work in the ClearQuest request. This field is not mandatory for change requests with child requests.
      9. Completing percent - this field contains the task completion rate. Its value should fall into the range between 0 and 100. This parameter is optional.

     

    Figure 4. Configuring the hierarchy for the ALMActivity entity

     

    For setting up relations between change requests, you should open the Record types hierarchy tab (see Figure 4. Configuring the hierarchy for the ALMActivity entity). This tab contains the Record types list containing the list of record types that were configured on the Record types tab. For every record type, you can set up a number of relationship parameters:

    1. Parameters for hierarchical relations, that are displayed in a Gantt chart as aggregated tasks:
      1. Parent record - a parent change request for the request that is currently being configured.
      2. Child record - a child change request for the request that is currently being configured.
    2. Parameters for the sequential relations:
      1. Predecessor record - a change request that goes before the request that is currently being configured.
      2. Successor record - a change request that goes after the request that is currently being configured.

     

    Figure 5. Additional settings

     

    The Advanced tab contains the following settings:

    1. Color theme - the color scheme that will be applied to a Gantt chart.
    2. Use color events - if this option is selected, all tasks will be highlighted by different colors depending on their states:
      1. Grey - the task has not been planned.
      2. Blue - the task has been planned and the plan end date has not come yet.
      3. Yellow - the task has been planned and is in progress.
      4. Crimson - the task has been planned, but the planned start date is past due.
      5. Red - the task has been planned and the planned finish date is past due.
      6. Green - the task is completed.
    3. Split chart by section - if this option is selected, the Gantt chart is divided into sections concerning records of the first level of hierarchy.
    4. Use AMWorkActivitySchedule package - if this option is selected, you can use the AMWorkActivitySchedule package.
    5. Use users - allows creating lists of owners for using them in the Gantt chart:
      1. Use the record choice list - creates the list of owners that corresponds to the selected record and its Owner field;
      2. Use users record type - creates the list of owners on basis of the Users record type;
      3. Use specified record type - creates the list of owners on basis of the specified type of record Record type and its main field User name, which contains the owner name.
    6. Enable change preferences by administrators only - if this option is selected, the settings can be edited only by users with Super user and Security admin privileges.

     

    Figure 6. Custom settings

     

    The Custom tab contains the following elements:

    • Auto build queries - allows defining the list of queries. As a result of execution of these queries, a Gantt chart will be automatically built.

     

    To finish the configuration, click Apply.

     

     

    Export and import of settings

     

     

    GanttChart for ClearQuest allows exporting and importing settings. You can do it in the Preferences window using the corresponding buttons (see Figure 7. Buttons for exporting and importing settings

    ).

     

    Figure 7. Buttons for exporting and importing settings

     

    To export settings, perform the following steps:

    1. In the Preferences window, click Export.
    2. In the dialog box, select the directory and specify the name of the file that will store the imported settings.

     

    To import settings, perform the following steps:

    1. In the Preferences window, click Import.
    2. In the dialog box, select the file with the settings.
    3. To apply the new settings, click Apply.

     

     

    Using the plug-in

     

     

    Building a Gantt chart

     

    Since GanttChart for ClearQuest uses requests selected from the ClearQuest, to build a Gantt chart it is necessary to execute a query that will return the list of records (see Figure 8. Configuring the filter of displayed records).

    Figure 8. Configuring the filter of displayed records

    In the CMC Plug-ins menu, select GanttCart for ClearQuest (see Figure 9. Launching the plug-in). The new tab GanttCart for ClearQuest will open (see Figure 10. Plug-in's tab displayed in ClearQuest).

    Figure 9. Launching the plug-in

    On the GanttCart for ClearQuest tab, in the Executed queries list, select the executed query and, to build a Gantt chart, click Fill from result (see Figure 10. Plug-in's tab displayed in ClearQuest, Figure 11. Running a query).

    Figure 10. Plug-in's tab displayed in ClearQuest

     

    Figure 11. Running a query

    As a result of the plug-in installation and configuration, you will get the Gantt chart (see Figure 12. Displaying the Gantt chart).

    Figure 12. Displaying the Gantt chart

     

     

    Opening forms

     

    GanttChart for ClearQuest allows opening forms of change requests directly from a Gantt chart. To open a change request form, click the necessary task in the Gantt chart. The ClearQuest form will open where you can perform all regular operations with the request, i.e. view, modify, change its state, etc.

     

    Figure 13. ClearQuest Form Opened from a Gantt Chart

     

     

    Modifying planned dates

     

     

    GanttChart for ClearQuest supports changing planned dates directly from a Gantt chart. To be able to modify planned dates for tasks, you should specify the following parameters:

    1. Fields containing planned dates.
    2. Modify action for a record.

     

    To modify planned dates for a task on a Gantt chart, you should pull one of the tasks ends by the cursor.

    GanttChart for ClearQuest also supports grouped operations for tasks of a Gantt chart.

    1. Selecting a group of tasks. You can select multiple tasks by clicking Shift or Ctrl and selecting the necessary tasks. Also, you can select a group of tasks by clicking Ctrl and then, using the right mouse button, selecting an area on a Gantt chart where the necessary tasks are displayed (see Figure 14. Selecting a group of tasks
    2. )

    Figure 14. Selecting a group of tasks

     

    1. Modifying a group of tasks. To modify a group of tasks, you should modify one of the selected tasks holding the Ctrl button.
    2. Modifying connected tasks. To modify connected tasks, you should modify one of the selected tasks holding the Shift button.
    3. Aggregated tasks. When you move an aggregated task, its child tasks are also moved, including the aggregated ones.

     

    The plug-in allows evaluating how the new planned dates differ from the previous ones. To do it, right-click a Gantt chart and select Show Planned Dates (see Figure 15. Displaying the shift between old and new planned dates

    ). In the chart, additional green and red lines appear indicating the shift between old and new planned start dates and planned finish dates correspondingly. If a task has actual dates, these lines will indicate the shift between actual and planned dates of the task.

    Figure 15. Displaying the shift between old and new planned dates

     

     

    Reassigning owners

     

     

    GanttChart for ClearQuest allows assigning owners for change requests directly from a Gantt chart. To make it possible, it is necessary to apply the following settings for the record type:

    1. Owner field.
    2. Modify or Assign action.

     

    To assign a new owner or reassign an existing owner, do the following:

    1. On a Gantt chart, right-click a task and select Assign owner.
    2. The dialog appears (see Figure 16. Selecting an owner
    3. ) with the list of available owners. To find a necessary owner in a large list, use the filter field.

    Figure 16. Selecting an owner

     

    1. Click OK to save changes, or Cancel to quit without saving.
    2. Before you have saved the new settings, you can restore the previous owner by clicking Restore.

     

     

    Saving changes

     

    To save the results of planning in the Gantt chart, you can use two methods (see Figure 17. Saving changes.):

    1. Complete saving of all changes Click (Apply changes). All changes made in the Gantt chart are saved into the ClearQuest change requests.
    2. Selective saving. Click (Analyse changes). The dialog box with the list of change requests to be saved and changed fields will open (see Figure 18. Selecting tasks for saving
    3. ). In this dialog box, you can select the change requests to be saved. Besides, you can select the following options:
      1. Save plan dates if actual dates exist - if this option is selected, the list of change requests to be saved will be supplemented with the change requests with the actual dates, for which the planned dates were modified;
      2. Update plan dates for summary tasks - if this option is selected, the list of change requests to be saved will be supplemented with the change requests that correspond to the aggregated tasks of the Gantt chart and for which the planned dates and the Modify action are specified in the settings of GanttChart for ClearQuest.

     

    Figure 17. Saving changes.

    Figure 18. Selecting tasks for saving

     

    The process of updating the planned dates is logged into the console window of the Eclipse client for ClearQuest (see Figure 19. Log of the planned dates saving process):

    Figure 19. Log of the planned dates saving process

     

     

    Export information

     

    GanttChart for ClearQuest allows you to export the displayed information to the file in MS Project XML. For export, follow these steps:

    1. Click "Export";

    Figure 20. Exporting data

    1. Set the file name that you want to export the information;

    Figure 21. Selecting file name

    1. Launch MS Project and select "FileaOpen";
    2. Choose a file export;

    Figure 22. Opening file

    1. Select "Append the data to active project"

    Figure 23. Import Wizard

    1. The new plan to add a display field "Text1" and "Text2", which contain CQID information and the type of record ClearQuest;

    Figure 24. Inserting text fields

    1. Information on the planned dates stored in the baseline, so to display it on the MS Project Gantt chart to choose the type of View "Tracking Gantt"

    Figure 25. View "Tracking Gantt"

     

     

    Visualization of states

     

    GanttChart for ClearQuest allows you to view a state chart diagram for the selected change request. To do this, follow these steps:

    1. At the required change request, right-click and choose "Show state chart"

    Figure 26. Openning state chart

    1. On the resulting graph displays the states and transitions between states. In parentheses at the transitions is also reflected in the number of transitions executed during the entire lifecycle of the change request.

    Figure 27. StateChart Vizualizer

     

     

    Appendix A

     

    Example of ALM-schema configuration

     

    The following configuration is given for guidance only.

     

    This appendix contains detailed description of configuration and step-by-step instructions for adjusting the ALM-schema:

    1. Changes in the schema. Since the ALM-schema does not have all necessary fields for setting planned and actual dates, you should add them using ClearQuest Designer. For the ALMActivity record type it is necessary to add the following fields:
      1. Plan_start - planned start date, type DATE_TIME;
      2. Plan_start - planned end date, type DATE_TIME;
      3. Fact_start - actual start date, type DATE_TIME;
      4. Fact_end - actual end date, type DATE_TIME;
      5. Percent_complete - completion rate, type INT;
      6. PredecessorActivity - predecessor for a task, type REFERENCE_LIST for the record type ALMActivity;
    2. Configuring the application
      1. Configuring fields for ALMRequest:

    1. Configuring fields for ALMTask:

    1. Configuring fields for ALMAcivity:

    1. Configuring relations for ALMTask:

    1. Configuring relations for ALMRequest:




    Fully Functional GanttChart for ClearQuest Trial is now Available!
     CM-Consult  announced that it now provides a free, fully-functional and unrestricted edition of its flagship product GanttChart for ClearQuest . People who download this free edition are entitled to 15 days of free technical support as well.

     




    Press-release: GanttChart for ClearQuest is added to the IBM Global Solutions Directory

     CM-Consult products intended to provide business continuity are added to the international solutions catalogue IBM Global Solutions Directory . IBM Corporation adds to this directory the most significant solutions that are based on IBM technologies and have been successfully implemented for a number of customers.
    GanttChart for ClearQuest is added to the IBM Global Solutions Directory with the ID 41151. GanttChart for ClearQuest is a plug-in for IBM Rational ClearQuest 7.0, 7.1 or later version. This plug-in is of interest for everybody who uses IBM Rational ClearQuest and who lacks for project management functionality. The module does not substitute the existing project management tools. It just adds operational slices into IBM Rational. For most users, the functions provided by the plug-in are enough for planning and operation management.

    "Recently our solution ProjectTracker has been added to the  IBM Global Solutions Directory and now the turn of  GanttChart for ClearQuest has come. This solution was developed as a result of an effort of both our specialists and our clients. The idea to create such solution has emerged as a result of close cooperation with our customers and deep understanding of their business problems. In most companies we have cooperated with the planning horizon for tasks and works is measured in months and quarters, but not years. Project managers have often to modify work schedule, update it, establish priorities, and set responsible persons. ClearQuest is a powerful tool that simplifies this process, but it has its limits. In ClearQuest, planning and representation of tasks is performed in flat view, but all managers are used to using the Gantt chart for planning. Unfortunately, the standard ClearQuest package does not provide users with such opportunity. GanttChart for ClearQuest allows managers to save a lot of time while preparing plans of work/tasks and exercising operational control over the project. In absolute terms, a manager spends about 12-16 minutes on rescheduling the average group of connected tasks without using GanttChart. Using GanttChart for ClearQuest, the same operation takes 10-15 seconds. So, using GanttChart for ClearQuest results in increasing the manager’s efficiency and manageability of the whole project. We are greatly pleased to have gained recognition of our contribution from IBM Corporation", Alexander Novichkov , the general director of CM-Consult, sais. 

     




    GanttChart for ClearQuest have been published in IBM Global Solutions Directory

    GanttChartOur product  GanttChart for ClearQuest,  are now part of the IBM Global Solutions Directory, an online directory containing applications, tools and services from IBM and IBM business partners.
    GanttChart for ClearQuest ID 41151

     

     

    More info:




    Visualization of the Change Request Hierarchy in IBM Rational Using the GanttChart

    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.

    See youtube video




    New version of UML2ClearQuest - UML2ClearQuest 3.0

     CM-Consult Ltd and the Rational-Tools.com project (www.cmcons.com and www.rational-tools.info) announce the new release of the UML2ClearQuest 3.0 software.
    UML2ClearQuest 
    is the specially designed solution that extends IBM Rational ClearQuest with the new capabilities. This solution provides the ability of the lifecycle creating and modifying for IBM Rational ClearQuest records types basing on UML-diagrams (up to UML 2.1). This solution is intended first of all for the managers of the IBM Rational ClearQuest system, who are occupied with the projecting and developing the schemes for this system in their company as well as for their customers.




    Project Tracker 2.5.1 New Version
    CM-Consult has released a new version of the solution for extended integration of IBM Rational ClearQuestand Microsoft Project (or Microsoft Project Server) 2003/2007 Project Tracker 2.5.1.
    CM-Consult ProjectTracker is featured in the IBM Global Solutions Directory  ID 38167


    'CQlite' for ClearQuest. Safe and secure client
    'ClearQuest Lite' - A safe client for ClearQuest. Safe client for ClearQuest. This tool provides the owner of the project to grant the limited access to project data in CQ base for the external teams involved in project. It also allows to export bug-reports in XML to distribute it to external teams which can edit it in MS Excel and send it back for automatic synchronization with CQ base. Using this tool provides assurance in confidentiality of the project data which keeps authorized access only. The applicationmodule is designed to work with IBM Rational ClearQuest in a manner that allows the system administrator to limit user access privileges: viewing queried records, adding new records and changing the state of records.
    Download demo-version
     

     
    See videos and presentationsBuy now (node-locked license)



    'ProjectTracker' for MSP Server 2003 & 2007
    'ProjectTracker for MSP Server 2003 & 2007' MS Project and MSP Server and ClearQuest integration module. This tool is registered as the V.A.P-solution in IBM. State-of-art MS Project (Project Server 2003 & 2007) and ClearQuest integration module which allows bidirectional collaboration keeping the full hierarchy, total resources information and all dependencies as well. During planning in MS Project the module allows to import all resources available from the CQ base. It’s irreplaceable tool for excellent project management.
    CM-Consult ProjectTracker is featured in the IBM Global Solutions Directory  ID 38167
    Download demo-version
     

     
    See videos and presentationsBuy now (node-locked license)




    'cmc_hvis' ClearQuest's change request hierarchy visualisation package
    Solution type: ClearQuest package
    Limitations: Doesn't work through the WEB. Requires slight modifications of ClearQuest's schema.
    Distributed as: ClearQuest package
    Compatibility: Compatible with any ClearQuest version (including ClearQuest 7.1). Supports any schema.


    Developing Packages for IBM Rational ClearQuest
    Remote development of ClearQuest packages (add-ons) complies with the declared requirements. Packages can be of any complexity. Additionally, CM-Consult provides support if necessary.


    'UML2ClearQuest' Tansform UML diagrams into ClearQuest Designer state matrix
    The purpose of this application is to ease the process of programming ClearQuest Designer's state transitions matrix for change requests. UML2ClearQuest can export UML state charts to ClearQuest Designer, which makes for a simple visual design process. UML Export is supported from StarUML, IBM Rational Software Architect or MS Visio. The demo version can export diagrams to IBM Rational ClearQuest with no more than 3 states. See success story. Compatibility: Compatible with any ClearQuest version (including ClearQuest 7.1).
    Download demo-version
     

     
    See videos and presentationsBuy now (node-locked license)




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