Direct associations

A direct association links a domain element and a requirement. This link associates the domain element and requirement and synchronizes both artifacts so you can manage them as a single, conceptual item.

By default, the Rational RequisitePro integration directly associates use-case model elements and use-case requirements. This creates a one-to-one, exclusive relationship between the use-case artifacts.

A direct association extends the associated artifacts. For example, a direct link from a use-case requirement to a use-case domain element further defines the use case by displaying its interaction with actors and other model elements. It also helps you ensure that your model satisfies all the use cases that are defined in the project requirements. With associated use cases, you can also navigate to documents that elaborate the use cases with descriptions, flows of events, special requirements, and conditions.

The following figure provides an example of a direct association in the UML domain. Notice that this direct link is represented by a link arrow , which is visible in both the Model Explorer and the Requirement Explorer views.

screen image of a direct association

When you link domain elements and requirements in a direct association, the name and text of the requirement should be synchronized with the name and documentation text of the domain element. Therefore, with the default project properties, when you create the link, you are prompted to resolve any differences between the name and text of the requirement and the domain element if they do not match. This prompt is also displayed if you change the name or text of either of the linked artifacts. Synchronization is not required for blank requirement names, because requirements created within RequisitePro documents use the text rather than the name field.

Note: By default, use cases are the only model elements that are configured to directly link to a requirement; however, you can configure other requirement types and model elements for direct linking on the Link Policy page of the Project Properties window. You can also customize the settings on the Synchronization Policy page in the Project Properties window.
Related tasks
Managing requirements
Viewing and modifying requirements
Modifying requirement properties
Viewing requirements and navigating in projects
Viewing requirements traceability
Creating direct associations between requirements and domain elements
Related reference
RequisitePro Requirement Synchronization

Related information

Tutorial on associating requirements and model elements

Feedback
(C) Copyright IBM Corporation 2004, 2005. All Rights Reserved.