Siemens Polarion for IBM Rational DOORS Classic user
Blog-Series 2: How to use filter
1. General Introduction
In this blog-series we want to show you how to work with Siemens PolarionTM, especially if you have previously used (or currently use) IBM Rational DOORSTM Classic during your daily work.
The following content is intended to support you to use Siemens PolarionTM (get started easily and quickly) without giving up the basic functions and representations of IBM Rational DOORSTM Classic. For this purpose, examples are used to explain similarities between both tools and tool-related differences.
Did you know
To find out, how easy it is to migrate your existing data from IBM Rational DOORSTM Classic to Siemens PolarionTM, please have a look on our blog-series “How to Exchange Data from IBM Rational DOORSTM Classic to Siemens PolarionTM” by using the following links.
General Introduction
Part 1: The ReqIF-function
Part 2: The Polarion “Import-Function”
Part 3: The Polarion “Synchronizer-Function”
This blog-series shows Siemens PolarionTM key functionalities, which are part of the core product. You will see that Siemens PolarionTM (as a modern and open ALM-tool) offers many functionalities, which are not available in a pure requirement management tool.
2. Repetition
In the previous blog post (General Introduction), we have seen that within Siemens PolarionTM views can be visualized equally to IBM Rational DOORSTM Classic by using the table or tree representation. In addition to this visualization, a table or tree view can be switched to a textual surface view (LiveDoc).
For more information’s see the blog post “Siemens PolarionTM for IBM Rational DOORSTM Classic user, Blog-Series 1: How to work with Table and LiveDoc” by using the following link:
3. Use filter in IBM Rational DOORS TM Classic
Within DOORSTM Classic, objects can be filtered. For this purpose, various filter options are available. As an example, objects can be filtered by attributes (incl. conditions and values), links, columns and many more. Furthermore, filters can be “nested” by e.g. “AND/ OR” functions to increase the scope of the application. Additional conditions like e.g. “is not equal to, is less than, is greater than or equal to” etc. can help to narrow down the desired filter results. The following example (Picture 1: Simple DOORSTM Classic filter example) shows a simple DOORSTM Classic filter which displays only objects whose condition in the attribute “Compliance Statement Saturn” is equal to “N/A”.
Rule of Filter 1: Compliance Statement Saturn == N/A
Picture 1: Simple DOORSTM Classic filter example
The same filter can be modified to cover additional properties. Picture 2 shows the previously used simple DOORSTM Classic filter, expanded by an AND-function. Here, the AND-function is “not empty” for the attribute “Product Variant” has been added.
Rule of Filter 2: (Product Variant is not empty) AND (Compliance Statement Saturn == N/A)
The result of the combined and applied filter 2 (see Picture 2: Combined DOORSTM Classic filter) differs only minimally from the previously used filter 1:
Filter 1 > (see Picture 1) returned three objects as a result.
Filter 2 > (see Picture 2) returned two objects as a result.
Picture 2: Combined DOORSTM Classic filter
Within DOORSTM Classic, the last activated filter can be used and “saved” within a view. For example: After activating and closing the filter setting menu, only the last activated filter is displayed within the filter settings (see Picture 3: Filter visualization before and after activating).
Picture 3: Filter visualization before and after activating
4. Use filter in Siemens PolarionTM
Within Siemens PolarionTM, filter (queries) can be created and used as well to increase the scope of the application and find customized, necessary information. In addition to the table-view in DOORSTM, PolarionTM offers the possibility to use filters within the table-/ or tree – view as well as within the LiveDoc (text-based-surface). Once activated within a view, the filter remains activated even after changing the view which makes work more comfortable (of course an activated filter can be deactivated at any time). Picture 4 shows a created and activated filter within the PolarionTM table-view while Picture 5 shows the same (and still activated) view within the PolarionTM LiveDoc surface (after changing the PolarionTM surface/ view from table to LiveDoc). Both examples use the same filtering (combined AND filter) as shown before in the DOORSTM example.
Please note: The table/ tree visualization can be changed by using the “Title Panes Horizontally” or “Title Panes Vertically” setting. For more information see Part I of these blog series (Siemens PolarionTM for IBM Rational DOORSTM Classic user).
Picture 4: Activated Filter within PolarionTM Table View
Picture 5: Activated Filter within PolarionTM LiveDoc
Regardless of the representation (used surface), a filter-creation in PolarionTM follows always the same principle. This applies to (as mentioned before) for the visualization of different views within PolarionTM, but also for filtering (or the creation) of Dashboards. Within a table, tree or LiveDoc surface, the activated filter settings can be seen in the header. Picture 6 shows the created AND filter in detail.
Picture 6: Example PolarionTM Filter
5. How to create a filter
Creating a filter within PolarionTM is very easy. As mentioned before, the creation process is independent from the current surface where you are currently working with. In the following example, we create a AND filter within the PolarionTM table view (surface). At the beginning no filter has been created and all items are displayed within the table-view (see Picture 7).
Step 1: Open the table-view
Picture 7: UAS-module without an activated filter
Step 2: Filter function
Open the filter function via the “plus symbol” (see top menu bar) and search for the attribute/ field, which has to be filtered (see Picture 8).
Picture 8: Open filter menu
Tip: By using the search function, you can reduce the possible attributes/ fields which can be filtered by typing in the first letters of the attribute/ field which you want to filter (see Picture 9). Here, we used the letters “prod” to reduce the possible attributes/ fields.
Picture 9: Using search function
Step 3: Select attributes/ fields
Select the desired attribute/ field and the filter condition for filter activation. Use the “plus symbol” and repeat the previous steps to add an additional filter variant (see Picture 10).
Picture 10: Filter menu to add a second filter condition
Here: We choose “Compliance Statement Saturn” with the condition “N/A”. In this case, we have several filter options due to the fact, that the used compliance field is an Enum field which contains preset values (see Picture 11).
Picture 11: Creation filter rule with Enum-field.
Result: The combined AND filter has been activated and displays the desired result.
6. How to save a filter
Within PolarionTM, you can save new- and manage existing filters. You decide if you want to save the filter as (e.g.) a personal custom configuration or as default for all project users etc. (see Picture 12).
Picture 12: Save and manage Queries
If you want to save a new filter, select “Save Current Query” and chose a name and type (see Picture 13).
Picture 13: Save Query
Here: The saved (new) User-filter can now be found within “My Queries” (see Picture 14).
Picture 14: Query Overview
By selecting the “Manage Queries” function, you can modify or delete a previously created filter.
7. Summary
PolarionTM offers the opportunity to create and manage filters very easy and quickly. You can create various filters and save them (one or more independent filters) regarding your needs on a global, project or user level. Adjustments or deletion processes can also be carried out easily (appropriate rights provided). Filter can be activated within different views (e.g. LiveDoc or table-view) and remain activated even the visualization is changed.
Briefly explained: Keep the previous filter methods known from DOORSTM and extend them with additional functionality.
- Save different filters/ views on same data.
- Use filters within the PolarionTM LiveDoc, table- and tree surface (as well as Dashboards).
- Use filters on global, project or user level.
- Use different editing modes.
- Parallel editing inside a view without locking the whole module.
- Use filters/ views for data export functions (e.g. WORDTM, ExcelTM, ReqIF etc.)
8. Outlook
Did you know: Every filter can be converted into text and copied for reuse. As an example, a copied filter/ query can be used to modify a dashboard very easily. You can also adjust the filter condition (e.g. create an OR filter instead of the used AND filter). This will be part of our next blog-series.
You need more information’s? Please visit our websites:
PolarionTM product page
PolarionTM What’s new and noteworthy
Product Updates | Polarion (siemens.com)
PolarionTM Extensions
Polarion Extensions
Note
DOORSTM is a registered trademark of IBM.
WORDTM and ExcelTM are registered trademarks of Microsoft.
