Rational Focal Point glossary

To use IBM® Rational® Focal Point™, you need to understand a few fundamental terms.

To see glossaries for other IBM products, go to http://www.ibm.com/software/globalization/terminology.

The following information structure shows how some of the fundamental terms in Rational Focal Point are related: Information structure image.

Table 1. Fundamental terms in Rational Focal Point
Term Description
attributes Descriptive information that provides important details about a module, requirement, discussion, or element. The elements in a module are associated with a number of attributes. An attribute has a name, type, description, and value. The attribute types are Checkbox, Choice, Date, File, Float, Heading, History, Integer, Link, Incoming Links, List, Lock, Matrix, Multi Choice, Text, Unique ID, and URL.
baseline A read-only copy of a module, which contains the history of the module up to the time that the baseline was created. You might create baselines of a module at certain times so that you can compare the baselines and identify differences. The name of the active baseline is in parenthesis after the title of the view.
business rule An advanced expression that can be used to perform calculations or otherwise manipulate the value of attributes. For example, a business rule could be a formula that can check the quality of requirements, implement a complete workflow, or aggregate sales figures for a large corporation. See also "expression" in this topic.
control palette The area at the top of the application window that contains a search field and a set of buttons
criterion A standard on which judgement or decision might be based
database Contains all of the users who have access to Rational Focal Point and all of the workspaces
elements A collection of attribute values that describe a specific entity, such as a product, project, or portfolio
expression A simple statement that is used to perform calculations or otherwise manipulate the value of attributes. An example of using an expression is entering "=PI" instead of "3.1415". See also "business rule" in this topic.
filter A device or program that separates data, signals, or material in accordance with specified criteria. You can add a filter to a view to find a specific subset of elements and attributes in the view. A filtered view displays only the elements that meet the rules that you specify in the Filter setup window. You can create and save several filters.
Focal Point administrator A user who has administration rights on a global level (outside of the workspaces). This user does not necessarily have access to all workspaces.
Focal Point database A database that contains all of the users that have access toRational Focal Point and all of the workspaces
Gantt chart A graphical representation of the timeline and duration of a project
global attribute A generic attribute that is created at the installation level and that can be copied to several workspaces at the same time
member A user who has no administrative rights and has access to one or several workspaces
module A collection of elements that describes a set of entities with a common set of attributes. Modules have different functions, but they all contain a structured set of elements. Some modules support the work of the administrator and exist in Rational Focal Point from the start; for example, Criteria, Releases, Checkpoints, Saved Charts, and Saved Reports. You cannot delete these modules. Other modules can be created according to specific business requirements and are used to configure business-specific information, such as projects and requirements.
navigation bar The customizable menu in the left side of the application window
relational graph A method of displaying elements to get an overview of the folder and element structure of a view
report template A template that is used to create reports. Parameters in the report template are specified when the report is created or run.
review A structured process for detecting and correcting faults and inconsistencies of elements
traceability matrix A view that illustrates the relationships between requirements of the same or different types. This matrix is used to create, modify, and delete traceability relationships and view indirect relationships and traceability relationships with a suspect state. See also "view" in this topic.
user Any individual, organization, process, device, program, protocol, or system that uses the services of a computing system
view A subset of information in modules that can be displayed by applying filters or sorting. Administrators define views. Regular users have access to only certain elements and attributes through views. Users must be given access to views.
Web services API An application programming interface (API), which is based on standard technology, that allows the user to access information in Rational Focal Point externally and facilitates integration with other tools.
workspace A project that contains a number of modules for managing information. The users in the database can have access to zero, one, or more workspaces.
Note: In earlier versions of Rational Focal Point, workspaces are called projects.
workspace administrator A user who is administrator of one or several workspaces
workspace area An area where workspace information is displayed and edited. The workspace area also displays a list of available workspaces.
workspace template A model that determines the basic structure for a workspace and contains settings such as modules, views, and attributes

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