ATS - Action Tracking System

The Action Tracking System (ATS) is a tightly integrated change tracking system that manages changes throughout a product's lifecycle. ATS provides integrated change management to all OSEE applications through user customizable workflows.

Documentation

Configuring ATS

Configuring ATS for Multi-Branch committing...

Branch Configuration Attributes:
ats.Allow Branch Create - activates ability to create working branches from parent
ats.Allow Branch Commit - activates ability to commit working branches to parent
ats.Parent Branch Id - set to the branch id of the branch to create/commit

If ATS - Team Definition attribute "ats.Team Using Versions" == false, then ATS uses branch configuration attributes from Team Definition.

Else If ATS - Team Definition attribute "ats.Team Using Versions" == true, then ATS uses branch configuration attributes from targeted ATS - Version Artifact. This means that the ATS - Team Workflow must be targeted to a version before branching can occur

Configuring ATS for Change Tracking

The Action Tracking System (ATS) can be configured for tracking changes made to such things as requirements, software, hardware and facilities.

The integrated nature of ATS also allows for the tight configuration management of changes to the artifacts that are stored and managed in OSEE, such as requirements, and provides advanced features that allow for advanced workflow management of these items.

OSEE ATS provides a few levels of configuration, from the simple/dynamic configuration that can be created/modified during runtime to a more advanced configuration that requires a separate plugin and release/update.</p>

Create a New configuration using the ATS Configuration Wizard

Select File -> New -> Other -> OSEE ATS -> ATS Configuration
Enter in a unique namespace for your configuration (eg: org.company.code)
Enter in a name for the Team that will be performing the work (eg: Code Team)
Enter in a list of Actionable Items that you want the users to write change requests against. (eg: Editor, Installer, Website)
If Actions are to be grouped and released in versions (or builds), enter a list of versions. (eg: 1.0.0, 1.1.0, 1.2.0) Otherwise, this field may be left blank.
If an existing workflow (eg: osee.ats.teamWorkflow) is to be used, enter this as the id. Otherwise a new workflow will be created.
Upon Selecting Finish, ATS will be configured with the entered information. You can then select to create a new Action and select one of the Actionable Items (named above). This will create a new workflow and assign it to the above Team for processing.
See <a href="../ats/ATS.htm#section8.1">Configure ATS for Change Tracking</a> for more information.

Creating a New workflow configuration for existing Team / Actionable Items using the ATS Workflow Configuration Editor

Select File -> New -> Other -> OSEE ATS -> ATS Workflow Configuration
Enter in a unique namespace for your configuration (eg: org.company.code)
Upon Selecting Finish, ATS will create a simple workflow that can be expanded with new states, transitions and widgets.
This workflow will need to be related to the Team Definition that will use it. See <a href="../ats/ATS.htm#section8.1">Configure ATS for Change Tracking</a> for more information.

Editing an existing workflow configuration using the ATS Workflow Configuration Editor

In the Branch Manager, set the Default Working Branch to the Common branh.
In the Artifact Explorer, expand Action Tracking System -> Work Flows and select the workflow to edit. This will open the ATS Workflow Configuration Editor.
Workflow can be edited to include new states and transitions. Double-click state to relate widgets and rules.
Selecting Save will validate the workflow and save the changes to the database. These changes can be used immediately by Team Definitions configured to use this workflow.
See <a href="../ats/ATS.htm#section8.1">Configure ATS for Change Tracking</a> for more information.

Advanced ATS Configuration via the org.eclipse.osee.ats.config.demo - Although ATS can be configured dynamically in a runtime environment, advanced configuration, like creating new widgets and rules, can be done through extension points. The ats.config.demo plugin is an example of these capabilities.

ATS Overview

Powerpoint Overview

<a href="./reference/overview/OSEE%20ATS%20Overview.pdf">Select to View Overview</a>

Terms

<a href="./reference/configure/ActionableItems.html">Actionable Item (AI)</a> - Item that can be impacted by an Action. AIs are what the user has to select from when creating an Action. Examples: Flight Box, Lab Computer, Code Subsystem.

<a href="./reference/configure/TeamDefinition.html">Team Workflow Definition</a> - Teams are created to perform that work associated with the Action. They are related to the AIs that they are responsible for and are configured with Leads and Members to route the Actions and perform the work. A workflow is configured that the team will follow to perform the work.

<a href="./reference/configure/WorkflowConfiguration.html">Workflow Configuration</a> - State machine that shows the path the Team will follow to perform the work associated with the Action.

Action - Top level grouping object. An Action is written against any number of AIs. The Team Workflows are then created for each team configured to perform work for an AI.

Team Workflow - Instantiation of a Workflow Diagram needed to perform the work. Each team independently moves through their workflow state machine however ATS can be configured such that certain gates must be met from other Teams or outside events before a workflow can continue.

Task - Within states of a Team Workflow, smaller-light-weight Tasks can be created to further separate the work that needs to be completed for that state. Normally, the state can not continue until the Task is completed.

Versions - ATS has built in project/release planning. Versions are created to group Team Workflows (Actions) into Builds and Releases.

ATS Icons

ATS Objects

<img src="ATS_files/action.gif"> denotes an Action, the top level object in ATS
<img src="ATS_files/workflow.gif"> denotes a Team Workflow; moves team through completion of change
<img src="ATS_files/task.gif"> denotes a Task; lightweight workflow that is performed during Team Workflow states
<img src="ATS_files/version.gif"> denotes the ATS targeted for release version
<img src="ATS_files/R.gif"> denotes the ATS review

ATS Overlays

<img src="ATS_files/warn.gif"> warning that something needs to be addressed; open object for more information
<img src="ATS_files/orangeR_8_8.gif"> released version
<img src="ATS_files/yellowN_8_8.gif"> next release version
<img src="ATS_files/favorite.gif"> ATS object marked as user's favorite; select "My Favorites" to load all marked
<img src="ATS_files/subscribed.gif"> ATS object user desires to receive email upon every state transition
<img src="ATS_files/whiteT_8_8.gif"> ATS object is obtaining estimated hours, percent complete, hours spent and remaining hours from tasks

ATS Operations

Select <img src="ATS_files/newAction.gif"> to create a new action
Select <img src="ATS_files/newTask.gif"> to create a new task
Select <img src="ATS_files/refresh_002.gif"> to refresh current view
Select <img src="ATS_files/print_002.gif"> to print the ATS Results
Select <img src="ATS_files/email.gif"> to email the ATS Results to an OSEE user
Select <img src="ATS_files/export_002.gif"> to export the ATS Results to CSV file
Select <img src="ATS_files/bug_002.gif"> to <a href="./reference/report_a_bug.html">Report a Bug</a>.

ATS Configuration

<img src="ATS_files/team.gif"> denotes a team configured to do work in ATS
<img src="ATS_files/AI.gif"> denotes an Actionable Item that a user can create an Action against

Priorities for classifying problems

Priority	Description	MIL-STD-498 Description
1	Prevents end users from performing an essential task that results in work stoppages. The impact to project cost/schedule requires an immediate resolution and a special release may be necessary.	a. Prevent the accomplishment of an operational or mission essential capability b. Jeopardize safety, security, or other requirement designated "critical"
2	Adversely affects end users from performing an essential task. Significant impact to project cost/schedule with resolution needed within 3 weeks.	a. Adversely affect the accomplishment of an operational or mission essential capability and no work-around solution is known. b. Adversely affect technical, cost, or schedule risks to the project or to life cycle support of the system, and no work-around solution is known
3	Hinders end users from performing an essential task or a capability is behind schedule. Impact to project cost/schedule with resolution needed within 6 weeks.	a. Adversely affect the accomplishment of an operational or mission essential capability but a work-around solution is known. b. Adversely affect technical, cost, or schedule risks to the project or to life cycle support of the system, but a work-around solution is known
4	Minor impact to end users or is a capability being developed per schedule. Can be resolved per normal release schedule.	a. Result in user/operator inconvenience or annoyance but does not affect a required operational or mission essential capability. b. Result in inconvenience or annoyance for development or support personnel, but does not prevent the accomplishment of those responsibilities.
5	An inconvenience or annoyance. Can be resolved as schedule and budget permits.	Any other effect

Report a Bug

Purpose

A quick way to report a bug against a view or editor.

How to do it

Select the bug button (<img src="ATS_files/bug_002.gif">) from the toolbar at the top of the view or editor that has the problem. A wizard will come up to provide guidance through the rest of the steps.

ATS Workflow Editor

Purpose

Show and edit the workflows configured for use in ATS including Team Workflows, Tasks and Reviews.

How to do it

Double-click open any Action or Team Workflow from ATS World, Search results or ATS Results. The editor will be opened allowing view and edit of workflow.

<a href="./reference/workflow_editor/ats_workflow_editor_workflow_tab.html">Workflow Tab</a>

Shows states of workflow, alows entry in current state and provides services to perform actions, see metrics and research information about workflow.

<a href="./reference/workflow_editor/ats_workflow_editor_task_tab.html">Task Tab</a>

Shows tasks associated with states of workflow. Allows quick editing of task information and allows a quick jump (double-click) to open task in ATS Workflow Editor.

ATS Workflow Editor - Workflow Tab

Purpose

Shows states of workflow, alows entry in current state and provides services to perform actions, see metrics and research information about workflow.

How to do it

Default tab shown when any ATS object is opened in the ATS Editor.

Current State

Shown in the top status bar and in the main window, the current state is the state of the workflow state machine that is running for this ATS object. These workflows can be configured with 3 or 30 state depending on the needs of the program/team that is using it. <a href="./reference/workflow_editor/current_state.html">More</a>

Other States

Shows states of workflow, alows entry in current state and provides services to perform actions, see metrics and research information about workflow.

Services

Shows tasks associated with states of workflow. Allows quick editing of task information and allows a quick jump (double-click) to open task in ATS Workflow Editor.

ATS Workflow Editor - Task Tab

Purpose

Shows tasks associated with states of workflow. Allows quick editing of task information and allows a quick jump (double-click) to open task in ATS Workflow Editor.

How to do it

Select task tab after ATS object is opened in the ATS Editor.

Open Task

Double-click on any task to open in ATS Editor.

Right-click edit

Selecting one or more tasks and right-click produces a menu with selections for editing multiple tasks at a single time.

Alt-Left-Click edit

A quick way to edit a single field in a task is by holding the Alt key down and selecting the cell to edit. This pops up an editor associated with the type of cell selected.

Actions

Select <img src="ATS_files/currentState.gif"> to only show tasks related to the current state of the workflow.
Select <img src="ATS_files/newTask.gif"> to create a new task.
Select <img src="ATS_files/redRemove.gif"> to delete selected task.
Select <img src="ATS_files/refresh_002.gif"> to refresh the current task list.
Select <img src="ATS_files/customize_003.gif"> to <a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/osee.skynet.gui/reference/table_customization.html">Customize Table</a>.

Working Branch Widget

This widget allows creation and manipulation of the working branch configured in a Team Workflow. The following options can be performed using this widget.

Working Branch to be created by selecting the "Create Working Branch" icon
Working Branch artifacts to be edited by selecting the "Open in Artifact Explorer" icon
Review of changes on Working Branch by selecting the "Open Change Report" icon
Working Branch to be deleted by selecting the "Delete Working Branch" icon

Commit Manager Widget

This widget allows commit for Working Branch configured in a Team Workflow. The following options can be performed using this widget.

Double-click to perform action listed. These include:

Commit Branch allows working branch changes to be committed to the configured branch or branches
Merge Conflicts and Commit allows changes that conflict to be merged and then committed
Show Change Report shows the changes associated with the Working Branch and Merges

OSEE Spell Checking

Purpose

Enable data entered in OSEE to be spell checked.

How to do it

As data is entered into OSEE spell-checked fields, a blue line will be displayed if the word is not recognized. Only lower-case words or words with only first character uppercase will be spell checked. Acronyms, words with special characters, numbers and single letter words will be ignored.

Main Dictionary

OSEE has a main dictionary included in it's release. See below for it's source, copyrights and credits.

Additional Released Dictionaries

Additionally dictionaries can be added to OSEE via extension points. These can only be modified by hand and thus included in normal release cycle.

Run-time Global Dictionary

Each OSEE user is able to add words to a Global dictionary stored in the database by right-clicking on the word underlined in blue and selecting to save global. These words are stored in the "Global Preferences" artifact and will then be shown as a valid word in all users's spell checking.

Run-time Personal Dictionary

Each OSEE user is able to add words to their Personal dictionary stored in the database by right-clicking on the word underlined in blue and selecting to save personal. These words are stored in the user's "User" artifact and will then be shown as a valid word only for that user.

ATS Navigator

Purpose

Central location to launch ATS searches, perform quick navigation and kickoff metrics.

How to do it

Double-click any navigation item to kickoff the corresponding search, action, report.

Filter

Filter out all navigation items that conains the entered text. Select the clear action (<img src="ATS_files/clear.gif">) to clear out the text and restore all navigation items.

ATS Action View

Purpose

Shows a graphical representation of the currently open Action or Team Workflow.

How to do it

Double-click open any Action or Team Workflow. Action View will show parent child relationship between Action and it's children Team Workflows. Cyan outline show currently open editor.

ToolTip

Hover over any object to determine information about current state, assignees and work to be done.

Double-Click / Right-Click

Double-Click to open any object in the ATS Editor or right click for more options.

ATS World View

Purpose

Shows ATS workflow objects including Actions, Team Workflows, Tasks and Reviews that were returned from a search normally performed by the ATS Navigator.

How to do it

Double-click search item from ATS Navigator. ATS World will show that it is loading. Upon return, ATS World will contain all ATS objects from the search. In addition, a plus is shown next to any object. Upon selection, viewer will expand to show all children of the selected object.

Open ATS Action, Team Workflow, Task or Review

Double-click to open any item open in ATS Workflow Editor.

Sorting

Selecting column headers will sort that column. Holding down Ctrl and selecting successive columns will enable multi sort. Re-selecting a column will reverse sort that column. The status label at the bottom will show the columns being sorted and which direction the sort is being performed. To remove all sorting, right-click and select "Remove All Sorting".

Bottom Status Line

The bottom status line will show the total number of objects loaded into the table, the total shown and the total selected. It will also show all the sorts and filters that are enabled.

Top Status Line

The top status line will show the name of the search that populated the ATS World View. A warning icon (<img src="ATS_files/warn.gif">) will show if the search returned no objects to show.

Filtering

Bottom right of the ATS World shows a filter box that is a quick way to filter by one or two words. Simply type in a string, press enter and ATS World will only show those loaded objects that where one of the visible cells contains the typed text. This is a case in-sensitive search. Select the clear action (<img src="ATS_files/clear.gif">) to clear out the text and restore all loaded actions.

Actions

Select <img src="ATS_files/A.gif"> to load ATS World with all the actions that you have work to do on.
Select <img src="ATS_files/action.gif"> to create a new Action.
Select <img src="ATS_files/rank.gif"> to rank actions by deadline date then by priority and annual cost avoidence.
Select <img src="ATS_files/refresh_002.gif"> to refresh the current search.
Select <img src="ATS_files/customize.gif"> to <a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/osee.skynet.gui/reference/table_customization.html">Customize Table</a>.
Select <img src="ATS_files/bug_002.gif"> to <a href="./reference/report_a_bug.html">Report a Bug</a>.

Result View

Purpose

Show reports, errors, metrics and other data in a multi-paged view with print, email and exporting capabilities.

How to do it

This view pops up automatically when OSEE needs to report larger amounts of data to the user.

Actions

Select <img src="ATS_files/print.gif"> to print the current window.
Select <img src="ATS_files/email_002.gif"> to email the current results view to an OSEE user.
Select <img src="ATS_files/export.gif"> to export the current table into a comma seperated value file.

Mulit-page

Selecting the down arrow will show a list of all pages that have been displayed during the current instance of OSEE running. Selecting from this list will display the previous page.

Peer To Peer Review Workflow

Purpose

The Peer To Peer Review is a lightweight review type that enables interactive one-on-one reviews where two people sit at a single computer and review, disposition and resolve the issues as they are found. This review type does not require (but does allow) defects to be logged. This review type can be created as a stand-alone review or attached to any workflow. When attached to a workflow, it is related to a state and can be set as a "blocking" review that will keep the workflow from continuing until the review is completed. <img src="ATS_files/peerToPeerReviewEditor.JPG">

State Machine

How to do it

Stand-Alone Peer To Peer Review - From ATS Navigator, filter on "peer" and select "New Peer To Peer Review". Enter required fields and select transition to start the review.

Workflow Related Peer To Peer Review - From any ATS workflow editor, select "Create a Peer To Peer Review" in the left column of the workflow editor. This will create the review and attach it to the current state. Enter required fields and select transition to start the review.===Prepare State=== This state allows the user to create the peer to peer review. Enter the required information and transition to Review to start the review. All review participants will be automatically assigned to the review state upon transition.

Field	Description
Title	Enter a descriptive title for this review.
Review Roles	Add roles and select the appropriate user. This review type requires at least one Author and one Reviewer.
Location of review materials	Either enter in a description of review materials or simply drag in files from workspace to be reviewed. If files are dropped in this box, the java package name (if appropriate), filename and a space to enter in the repository version will be provided.
Description	Information necessary to make an informed decision.
Blocking Review	if NOT a stand-alone review, this field will be enabled for entry. select yes if this review must be completed before the parent workflow can transition
Need By	Date the review should be completed.

===Review State===

This state allows the users to review the materials, log any defects and allows for the author to resolve and close any defects.

Field	Description
Review Roles	Add or remove participants as needed. See Prepare State description for more information.
Review Defect	Defects are not REQUIRED, but can be entered. Defects must be dispositioned and closed before review can be completed
Resolution	Any notes or further information can be entered here.

Decision Review Workflow

Purpose

The Decision Review is a simple review that allows one or multiple users to review something and answer a question. This review can be created, and thus attached, to any reviewable state in ATS. In addition, it can be created automatically to perform simple "validation" type reviews during a workflow.

State Machine

How to do it

From any active state, select "Create a Decision Review" in the left column of the workflow editor. This will create the review and attach it to the current state. Then, proceed to "Prepare State" to entering the necessary information required for this review.===Prepare State=== This state allows the user to create the decision review. Enter the required information and transition to Decision to start the review. All transitioned to assignees will be required to perform the review.

Field	Description
Title	Enter the question that is to be answered by the reviewers. Example: Do you think we should buy this software?
Decision Review Options	Enter in all the options that are available for selection. Each line is a single decision option in the format: answer;state;<userId> Where answer = Yes, No, Mabye, etc... state = Followup or Completed - this will be the state to transition to if the answer is choosen <userId> = userId of the user to assign to the state to transition to. Note: Multiple users can be specified by <userId1><userId2> Note:UserIds are only valid for Followup state. Completed state has no assignees.
Description	Information necessary to make an informed decision.
Blocking Review	yes if this review must be completed before the parent workflow can transition
Need By	Date the decision must be made.

===Decision State===

This state allows the user to review the description or materials and choose their decision.

Field	Description
Question	The question to be answered as part of this review.
Decision	The decision made by the user.
Resolution	Any notes or information as to why the decision was made.

Followup State

This state allows for followup action to be taken based on the decision.

Resolution

Any notes or information as to why the decision was made.

Configure ATS for Change Tracking

Purpose

ATS is used to track any type of change throughout the lifecycle of a project. Below are the steps to configure ATS for tracking something new.

How to do it

Review <a href="./reference/overview/ats_overview.html">ATS Overview</a> to understand ATS Concepts, Terms and Architecture. Pay special attention to ATS Terms
Determine what Actionable Items (AIs) need to be available to the user to select from. This can be anything from a single AI for tracking something like a tool or even an activity that needs to be done to a hierarchical decomposition of an entire software product or engineering program.

Considerations:

Item should be in the context of what the user would recognize. eg: OSEE ATS World View versus something unknown to the user such as AtsWorldView.java.
Decompose AI into children AI when it is desired to sort/filter/report by that decomposition.

Actionable Item attributes to be configured:

Name: Unique name that the user would identify with.
Active: yes (converted to "no" when AI is no longer actionable)

Actionable Item relations to be configured:

TeamActionableItem: relate to Team Definition that is responsible for performing the tasks associated with this AI. NOTE: If this relation is not set, ATS will walk up the Default Hierarchy to find the first AI with this relation.

Determine the teams that are going to perform the tasks that are associated with the AIs selected by the user.

Considerations:

Use separate teams if certain changes are to be managed by different leads.
Use separate teams if one team's completion and releasing is independent of another's.
Use separate teams if team members are separate.
Use separate teams if different workflows are required for one set of AIs than another.

Team attributes to be configured:

Name: Unique team name that is distinguishable from other teams in a list.
Description: Full description of the team and it's scope.
Active: yes (converted to "no" when AI is no longer actionable)
Team Uses Versions: yes if team workflows are going to use the build management and release capabilities of ATS.
Full Nam: Extended name for the team. Expansion of acronym if applicable

Team relations to be configured:

TeamActionableItem: relation to all AIs that this team is responsible for.
Work Item.Child: WorkFlowDefinition artifact configures the state machine that this team works under. NOTE: If this relation is not set, ATS will walk up the Default Hierarchy to find the first AI with this relation.
TeamLead: User(s) that are leading this team. These users will be assigned to the Endorse state of the Team Workflow upon creation of an Action by a user. Providing multiple leads reduces bottlenecks. First lead to handle the Team Workflow wins.
TeamMember: User(s) that are members of the team. These users will be shown first as preferred assignees and have the ability to privileged edit a Team Workflow for the team they belong to.

Choose existing WorkFlowDefinition or create new WorkFlowDefinition to be used by the team and relate it to Team Definition (as above). This can be done through File->New->Workflow Configuration. Enter a namespace and a default workflow will be created and can be edited.
Create version artifacts necessary (if using versions) and relate them to Team Definition (as above)

If branching of artifacts is going to be used (see below), configure versions with their appropriate parent branch id.

Determine if Branching within one of the states in the workflow is desired/required and configure as appropriate.

Considerations:

Branching is necessary if objects to change are stored in OSEE as artifacts. If so, OSEE ATS can create a working branch off the parent branch, allow user to modify artifacts and then commit these changes when complete, reviewed and authorized (as necessary). If objects are stored outside OSEE (eg. code files checked into SVN), this option is not necessary.

Configure ATS workflow for branching:

Create AtsStateItem extension specifying which state the branching will occur. This is normally in the Implement state of a workflow.
Create root branch and import documents that will be managed through define and tracked through ATS.
Set all Version artifacts "Parent Branch Id" attribute to the branch id of the root branch (or child branches, if using multi-branching)
If only a single branch is to be used OR versioning is NOT configured to be used, the "Parent Branch Id" should be s

Configure Team Definition

Purpose

The Team Definition artifact specifies leads and members that are assigned to work on related Actionable Items.

How to do it

Team Definitions should match company organizational structure.
Attributes

Name:[uniquely recognizable team name]
ats.Full Name:[optional full name]
ats.Description:[desc]
ats.Active:[yes]
ats.Team Uses Version:[yes if want to use release/build planning]

Relations

DefaultHeirarchy: Relate to parent team or top level "Teams"
TeamDefinitionToVersion: Relate to current and future VersionArtifacts
TeamLead: Relate to one or more team leads. These individuals will have priviledged edit and perform the Endorse state by default.
TeamMember: Relate to one or more team members. These individuals will have ability to priviledged edit Workflows created by themselves against the team they belong to.
Work Item.Child: Relate to a single "Work Flow Definition" artifact that defines the workflow that will be used for this team.

Configure Actionable Items (AI)

Purpose

Actionable Items provide the end user with a selection of things impacted by the Action. They are related to the <a href="./reference/configure/TeamDefinition.html">Team</a> that is responsible for performing the work.

How to do it

AIs should not be deleted. Instead, use the ats.Active attribute to deactivate the AI. If an AI must be deleted, search for all "ats.Actionable Item" attributes that have the value of the AI's guid. These must be changed to another AI before deletion.
Actionable Item tree can be created to the level at which actions are to be written. Usually a component decomposition. In the case of UIs, create one for each view or window.
Attributes

Name:[uniquely recognizable team name]
ats.Active:[yes]

Relations

DefaultHeirarchy: Relate to parent team or top level "Actionable Items" artifact"
TeamActionableItem: Relate to team responsible for performing tasks. Team can be related to parent and all children will have team by default.

Workflow Configuration

Purpose

To create a new workflow configuration that ATS uses to move an Action through it's specific workflow.

Ats Workflow Configuration artifacts.

ATS uses four main artifacts to configure a workflow for use by a Team.

<a href="./reference/configure/WorkFlowDefinition.html">Work Flow Definition</a><a> specifies the states, their transitions and the state that represents the beginning of the workflow.</a>
<a href="./reference/configure/WorkPageDefinition.html">Work Page Definition</a><a> defines the a single state of the Work Flow Definition.</a>
<a href="./reference/configure/WorkWidgetDefinition.html">Work Widget Definition</a><a> defines a single widget and its corresponding attribute that the value will be stored in. It also provides some layout capabilities for that widget.</a>
<a href="./reference/configure/WorkRuleDefinition.html">Work Rule Definition</a><a> defines certain rules that can be applied to Work Pages and Team Definitions.</a>

<a> </a>===<a>How to do it</a>===

<a>Workflows can be created using the </a><a href="./reference/configure/WorkflowConfigurationEditor.html"> ATS Workflow Configuration Editor</a><a> (0.6.0 release). States and their transitions can be edited through this interface. Other modifications will need to be edited through </a><a href="./reference/configure/create_workflowdefinition_artifact.html">Work Flow Definition</a><a> attributes and relations.</a>
<a>Work Pages, Widgets and Rules are currently edited through the attributes and relations using the default Artifact Editor. See links above to set the proper values.</a>
<a>Configurations can also be created through the java. An example of this can be seen by looking at the org.eclipse.osee.ats.config.demo plugin. This plugin, and the DemoDatabaseConfig.java class, shows how to programatically generate work flows, pages, rules and widgets to configure ATS. This configuration will be generated during a database initialization.</a>

<a>

</a>==ATS Workflow Configuration Editor==
<img src="reference/configure/configEditor.JPG" border="1">

Purpose

Give a graphical method to creating / updating ATS Workflow Configurations. This editor also gives easy access, through double-click" to edit the "Work Page Definition" artifact that represent the selected state.

How to do it

Open editor for a specific workflow:

Existing Work Flow Definition Artifact: From Common branch in Artifact Explorer, expand Action Tracking System -> Work Flows and double-click the workflow you wish to edit.
From ATS Workflow Editor: Select workflow icon at top right and associated workflow will be opened.
New Workflow Configuration: File -> New -> Other -> OSEE ATS -> Workflow Configuration; Enter unique namespace for this workflow configuration. (eg: org.<company>.code). This creates a simple workflow to use as a starting place.</company>

Create states:

Add necessary states to diagram to represent workflow. Note: Only one state is the entry point and the workflow must end at the "Completed" state. The "Cancelled" state is optional, but should be used in most cases.

Editing Rules, Widgets and other State attributes: Double-click on any state to open the Artifact in the Artifact Editor.
Create transitions:

For each state, a single "Default Transition" must be specified. This will be the default state specified as the "next" state in the workflow. Optional transitions to other states can be specified by the "Transition" arrow. The user will have the option of selecting one of these states instead.
The "Return Transition" can be specified for valid jumps "back" to previous states. (eg: The user may need to transition back to the "Analyze" state from the "Authorize" state if authorization failed and more analysis is needed.

Select a single state and set it's "Start Page" property to "Yes" for the state specified to start the workflow. Only one state can be the start state.
Save and test the new workflow configuration:

Select Save to persist the changes. Validation will be automatically run (see below)
<a href="./reference/configure/TeamDefinition.html">Configure the Team Definition</a> to use the new workflow
Create a new Action and test the created workflow

Workflow Configuration - Validation

Validation of a workflow is provided by selecting the check icon and selecting a state, transition or the entire workflow (selecting the white background). This will popup whatever error occurs or a "Validation Success" if all is ok.

Note: This same validation will occur during save and will fail if all problems are not resolved.

Work Flow Definition Artifact

Purpose

The Work Flow Definition artifact specifies the workflow that a team moves through to complete an Action. This artifact specifies the states, their transitions and the start state of the workflow. Creation/Editing of this artifact can either be done through the Artifact Editor or using the Workflow Configuration Editor (OSEE 0.6.0 Release and beyond).

How to do it - <a href="./reference/configure/WorkflowConfigurationEditor.html">Configuration Editor</a>

How to do it - Artifact Editor

On the Common branch in the Artifact Editor, Expand "Action Tracking System" and right-click on "Work Flows", select New Child -> Work Flow Definition. Enter a unique namespace name for this workflow (eg: org.<company>.code). In the Artifact Editor, add and set the attributes and relations as below.

Attributes

Name:[unique namespace, usually the same as the Work Id specified below]
osee.wi.Work Id:[unique workflow namespace] - this will preceed each state name specified in the workflow.
osee.wi.Parent Work Id:[Work Id of Parent Work Flow Definition] - this will allow this workflow to inherit it's transitions and start state from another workflow. This can not be used with other attributes below
osee.wi.Start Page:[namespace.state name] - this specifies the name of the initial state in the workflow
osee.wi.Transition:[[from state name];[transition type];[to state name]] - specifies the transition from state to state where

[from state name]/[to state name]- unique Work Page Definition Work Id comprised of [namespace].[State Name]
[transition type] - one of the following:

ToPageAsDefault - Transition is "Default Transition" state
ToPage - Transition is optional transition to state
ToPageAsReturn - Optional transition to a previously visited state

osee.wi.Description:Optional attribute to add description of workflow

Relations

Work Item.Parent: Relate to any Team Definition configured to use this workflow.

Work Page Definition Artifact

Purpose

The Work Page Definition artifact configures a single state of the <a href="./reference/configure/WorkFlowDefinition.html%3EWorkflow%20Definition%3C/a%3E%20for%20a%20%3Ca%20href=" workflowconfiguration.html="">Workflow Configuration</a>.

How to do it - <a href="./reference/configure/WorkflowConfigurationEditor.html">ATS Workflow Configuration Editor</a>

The ATS Workflow Configuration Editor will allow the editing of the three main fields of a Work Page Definition Artifact. The remaining fields, and the relations to <a href="./reference/configure/WorkRuleDefinition.html"> Work Rules</a> and <a href="./reference/configure/WorkWidgetDefinition.html">Work Widgets</a> must be done through the Artifact Editor.

How to do it - Artifact Editor

Work Page Definitions are either stored as children of their Work Flow Definition artifact or under the "Work Pages" folder.
On the Common branch in the Artifact Editor, Expand "Action Tracking System" and right-click on "Work Page", select New Child -> Work Page Definition, or double-click an existing Work Page Definition artifact. Edit the following attributes and relations accordingly.

Attributes

Name:[unique name matching Work Id below]
osee.wi.Work Id:[unique workflow namespace].[Work Page Name] as below.
osee.wi.Parent Work Id:[Work Id of Parent Work Page Definition] - this will allow this workflow to inherit it's widgets and rules from another workflow. This can not be used with other attributes below
osee.wi.Work Page Name:State Name that the user will see. This can not have any special characters including . in the name.

Relations

Work Item.Child: Relate to any Rules or Widgets that this state is made of.

Work Rule Widget Artifact

Purpose

The Work Widget Definition artifact specifies a single widget, via xml, that will be displayed on the state page in the ATS Workflow Editor.

How to do it - Artifact Editor

On the Common branch in the Artifact Editor, Expand "Action Tracking System" expand "Work Widget" and double-click any existing Work Widget. Edit the following attributes and relations accordingly.

Attributes

Name:[unique name matching Work Id below]
osee.wi.Work Id:[unique id]
osee.wi.Work Description:Simple description explaining what widget is.
osee.wi.Work Data: XWidget=[XWidget xml specifying widget]

Relations

Work Item.Parent: Relate to any Team Definition or Work Page Definition artifacts as appropriate.

Work Rule Definition Artifact

Purpose

The Work Rule Definition artifact specifies a single rule that can be applied to workflow configurations or to <a href="./reference/configure/TeamDefinition.html">Team Definition</a> artifacts. These rules are normally backed by java code that performs certain tasks like automatically creating new reviews, assigning workflows to specific users or specifying states as allowing create/commit of branches.

How to do it - Artifact Editor

On the Common branch in the Artifact Editor, Expand "Action Tracking System" expand "Work Rule" and double-click any existing Work Rule. Edit the following attributes and relations accordingly.

Attributes

Name:[unique name matching Work Id below]
osee.wi.Work Id:[unique workflow namespace].[Work Page Name] as below.
osee.wi.Work Description:Simple description explaining what rule does.
osee.wi.Work Data:Key/Value pares of information used by rule.

Relations

Work Item.Parent: Relate to any Team Definition or Work Page Definition artifacts as appropriate.

Configure ATS for Help

Purpose

To configure ATS workflows to use the integrated help system. ATS help useds a combination of widget tooltip, static help pages and dynamic help content configured through extended plugins.

How to do it

Workflow Page Help
Workflow Widget Help

Declared tooltip is shown as tooltip when hover over label
Double-Click label pops open html dialog if help contextId and pluginId are set
Double-Click label pops open tooltip
Top down order of obtaining help content

Setting tooltip in IStateItem interface
Work Widget Definitions in Work Data attribute value of XWidget=...tooltip="put help here"
ATSAttributes.java declarations

Branch Manager View

Purpose

The Branch Manager View is used to display all of the branches in Skynet, as well as details for the transactions on each branch.

Branches and transactions can be sorted by clicking on the column heading for the column to sort by. Initially, the data will be sorted in ascending order. Clicking the same column multiple times will toggle the sorting between ascending and descending.

Locating branches can also be aided by <a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/org.eclipse.osee.framework.ui.skynet/reference/branch_filtering.html">filtering</a> or using <a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/org.eclipse.osee.framework.ui.skynet/reference/favorite_branch.html">favorites</a>.

Icons

<img src="ATS_files/branch.gif"> Base image for branches
<img src="ATS_files/change_managed_branch.gif"> Base image for branches that are under change managment
<img src="ATS_files/black_check.gif"> Overlay to mark branch as the default
<img src="ATS_files/star_9_9.gif"> Overlay to mark branch as a favorite
<img src="ATS_files/transaction.gif"> Image for transactions
<img src="ATS_files/relate.gif"> Base image for relation links
<img src="ATS_files/molecule.gif"> Base image for attributes
<img src="ATS_files/out_new.gif"> Overlay to mark item as new
<img src="ATS_files/out_change.gif"> Overlay to mark item as modified
<img src="ATS_files/out_delete_002.gif"> Overlay to mark item as deleted

Default Branch

What it is

The branch which is returned to any program that asks for the current default branch. For instance, the Artifact Explorer will use the default branch to determine what artifacts to show, and artifact searches are performed against the default branch.

How to tell what the default branch is

The Branch Manager view shows all of the branches with the <img src="ATS_files/branch.gif"> icon.

The default branch will have a <img src="ATS_files/black_check.gif"> at the top right of the normal branch icon.

Most views and editors that are working with artifacts will show the branch in the status bar next to the branch icon.

How to set it

The default branch is set from the Branch Manager view. Use sorting or <a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/org.eclipse.osee.framework.ui.skynet/reference/branch_filtering.html">filtering</a> in the table to find the desired branch. Right-click on the branch and then select Set Default Branch from the popup menu.

The Set Default Branch option will be disabled if any of the following cases are true:

The branch selected is already the default
The item selected is not a branch
More than one item is selected

Favorite Branch

What it is

A branch that the user has marked as a favorite. Any number of branches can be marked as favorite. This is used in conjunction with the <img src="ATS_files/filter.gif">Show Favorites First filter to quickly locate branches of interest.

How to tell which branches are favorites

The Branch Manager view shows all of the branches with the <img src="ATS_files/branch.gif"> icon.

A favorite branch will have a <img src="ATS_files/star_9_9.gif"> at the bottom left of the normal branch icon.

How to set/unset it

A favorite branch is set from the Branch Manager view. Use sorting or filtering in the table to find the desired branch. Right-click on the branch and then select Mark As Favorite or Unmark As Favorite from the popup menu.

Branch Filtering

What it is

A quick way to limit which branches are displayed in the Branch Manager view.

How to do it

Type text in to the box labeled Filter:. As characters are typed, the Branch Manager will update to only display branches whose name contains the text, ignoring the case.

If no text is entered then all branches will be displayed.

Show Change Report

What it is

A view that shows all of the changes made on a branch, or between two transactions on the same branch.

How to do it

For a branch

Use <a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/org.eclipse.osee.framework.ui.skynet/reference/branch_filtering.html">filtering</a> or sorting to locate the branch of interest. Right-click the branch and select Show Change Report. The change report will show all changes made on the branch since its baseline.

If anything is selected in addition to the one branch, then the Show Change Report menu item will be disabled.

For a range of transactions

Use <a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/org.eclipse.osee.framework.ui.skynet/reference/branch_filtering.html">filtering</a> or sorting to locate the branch with the transactions. Then locate the starting and ending transactions. Select both of the transactions by ctrl-clicking each transaction, then right-click and select Show Change Report. The change report will show all changes after the earlier transaction, up to and including the later transaction.

If anything is selected in addition to the two transactions, or the two transactions are on seperate branches, the Show Change Report menu item will be disabled.

Change Report View

Purpose

The Change Report View is used to summarize the changes that have been made on a branch or series of transactions.

Icons

<img src="ATS_files/relate.gif"> Base image for relation links
<img src="ATS_files/molecule_002.gif"> Base image for attributes
<img src="ATS_files/inc_new.gif"> Overlay to mark item as an incoming new item
<img src="ATS_files/inc_change.gif"> Overlay to mark item as an incoming modification
<img src="ATS_files/inc_delete.gif"> Overlay to mark item as an incoming delete
<img src="ATS_files/out_new_002.gif"> Overlay to mark item as an outgoing new item
<img src="ATS_files/out_change_002.gif"> Overlay to mark item as an outgoing modification
<img src="ATS_files/out_delete.gif"> Overlay to mark item as an outgoing delete
<img src="ATS_files/con_new.gif"> Overlay to mark an item as being new but having incoming changes
<img src="ATS_files/con_change.gif"> Overlay to mark an item as having incoming and outgoing changes
<img src="ATS_files/con_delete.gif"> Overlay to mark an item as being deleted but having incoming changes

Branch Change Report

A Change Report can be performed for a branch two ways. The first way is by selecting right-clicking a branch from the Branch Manager then choosing the "Show Change Report" menu item. The second way is to select "Show Change Report" from the Aspect view of an ATS Action that is still in work; this will do a Change Report for the working branch of the Aspect.

This type of Change Report will display all of the artifacts on the branch that have had an attribute or relation link modified. It will also do conflict detection on these artifacts against the parent branch. All changes done on the current artifact will appear with a grey right arrow<img src="ATS_files/out_change_002.gif">, while all changes from the parent branch will be shown with a blue left arrow<img src="ATS_files/inc_change.gif">. Attributes and relation links with multiple changes will provide a summarized node that shows the final effect of the changes and can be expanded to view all of the minor changes that were made. If an attribute or relation link was modified on both branches then the summary will show a red conflict mark<img src="ATS_files/con_change.gif"> to signify that a commit will cause an override to occur.

==Refresh Change Report==

Purpose

Forces the Change Report to be recomputed. This is typically used when the Change Report snapshot has become out of date, noted by a <img src="ATS_files/old.gif"> next to the snapshot description on the first line of the Change Report.

How to do it

Select the refresh button (<img src="ATS_files/refresh.gif">) from the toolbar on the top portion of the Change Report view.

If the Change Report view is empty then the refresh button will do nothing.

Quick Search View

The Quick Search view allows users to perform searches for information that is contained inside artifacts in a selected branch.

To find all artifacts that contain a particular set of keywords:

Select <a class="command-link" href='javascript:executeCommand("org.eclipse.ui.views.showView(org.eclipse.ui.views.showView.viewId=org.eclipse.osee.framework.ui.skynet.QuickSearchView)")'> <img src="ATS_files/artifact_search.gif" alt="search icon" border="0"> Window > Show View > Other... > OSEE > Quick Search</a>, to open the view.
Type your search string in the Enter Search String combo box, or use the pull-down list to select a previously entered search expression.
Special characters such as (' ', !, ", #, $, %, (, ), *, +, ,, -, ., /, :, ;, <, >, ?, @, [, \, ], ^, {, |, }, ~, _) are assumed to be word separators unless By Id option is selected. When By Id option is selected, (, and ' ') are treated as separators.

For example:
- When By Id is not selected, hello.world will be translated to hello and world. The search will match attributes with hello and world keywords.
- When By Id is selected, (A+ABG7jFm+0BKaVZIxfqOQ,AFABG7jFm+0BKaVZIxfqOQ PX1FH) will be interpreted as 2 GUID(s) and 1 HRID. The search will match artifacts containing A+ABG7jFm+0BKaVZIxfqOQ and AFABG7jFm+0BKaVZIxfqOQ as its GUID or PX1FH as its HRID.
Finish entering your search options, (for example, to scope the search to include deleted artifacts, check the include deleted option), and click Search or press Enter from the combo box to execute the search.
The Search view displays the results of your search. Right-click on any item in the Search view to open a pop-up menu that allows you perform various operations on the artifacts such as copy search results to the clipboard or reveal a selected artifact in Artifact Explorer. To open one of the listed artifacts, double-click it or select Open from its pop-up menu.

<img src="ATS_files/ngrelc.png" alt="Related concepts" border="0">
<a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/org.eclipse.osee.framework.ui.skynet/reference/quickSearch/attribute_tagging.html">Attribute Tagging</a>

<img src="ATS_files/ngrelr.png" alt="Related reference" border="0">
      <a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/org.eclipse.osee.framework.ui.skynet/reference/quickSearch/attribute_type_filter_option.html">Attribute Type Filter Search Option</a>
      <a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/org.eclipse.osee.framework.ui.skynet/reference/quickSearch/by_id_option.html">By Id Search Option</a>
      <a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/org.eclipse.osee.framework.ui.skynet/reference/quickSearch/include_deleted_option.html">Include Deleted Search Option</a>
      <a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/org.eclipse.osee.framework.ui.skynet/reference/quickSearch/word_order_match_option.html">Word Order Match Search Option</a>

Quick Search Include Deleted Search Option

What it is

An option to include artifacts that have been deleted as part of a quick search on the default branch.

How to do it

Type in the desired words. Make sure the Include Deleted option is selected under Options, then press the Search button.

Shortcuts

Pressing enter in the text entry box is equivalent to pressing the Search button.

<img src="ATS_files/ngrelr.png" alt="Related reference" border="0">
<a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/org.eclipse.osee.framework.ui.skynet/reference/quickSearch/quick_search_view.html">Quick Search View</a>

Attribute Tagging for Quick Search

When an artifact is saved, each attribute contained in the artifact is analyzed to produce a list of tags that are then associated with the artifact. Quick search is a form of keyword based searching which uses tags to perform contextual artifact searches.

For an attribute to be tagged by the system, it must meet the following criteria:

The attribute's type must specify an Attribute Tagger to be used by the tagging system.
The attribute must contain valid data.
The attribute revision must be saved in the database before sending to tagging system.

To produce tags, modified attributes are sent to the OSEE application server where the tagging system processes each attribute using an Attribute Tagger specified by the attribute's type. The Attribute Tagger knows how to interpret the attribute's data and how to extract words from the content. At this point, a word is defined as a sequential set of alphanumeric characters delimited by one or more spaces. As words are parsed, they are sent to the tagging system's word encoder where the following processing takes place:

The characters in the original word are converted to lower case.
The lower cased version of the word is encoded and stored in the tagging system.
The lower cased version of the word is split using punctuation characters such as (' ', !, ", #, $, %, (, ), *, +, ,, -, ., /, :, ;, <, >, ?, @, [, \, ], ^, {, |, }, ~, _) as delimiters.
Possessive words (ending in 's) are converted into regular form.
Each word is converted from plural to singular form.
Each word is encoded and stored in the tag system.

When encoding words into tags, the tag encoder uses an algorithm which transforms the word's characters into a bit-packed tag that will fit in a 64-bit integer. The tag will represent up to 12 characters (all that can fit into 64-bits). Longer words will be turned into consecutive tags.

Tag Encoding Examples

Original

Keywords

Encoding

appendeces

appendix

-220858502

battery(ies)

battery

529513131

alternate/backup

alternate

backup

-1420231874

24902827

<img src="ATS_files/ngrelr.png" alt="Related reference" border="0">
<a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/org.eclipse.osee.framework.ui.skynet/reference/quickSearch/quick_search_view.html">Quick Search View</a>

Mass Artifact Editor

Purpose

The Mass Artifact Editor allows the easy view of multiple artifact along with their attributes. This editor can be viewed from right-click off Artifact Explorer, Search Results page, or via ATS action. Single cells can be edited via Alt-Left-Mouse-Click. After editing any number of artifacts shown, the save button persists this data.

Note: This editor will close upon switch of default branch unless the editor is tied to the common branch.

Actions

Select <img src="ATS_files/refresh.gif"> to refresh the contents.
Select <img src="ATS_files/customize_002.gif"> to <a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/org.eclipse.osee.framework.ui.skynet/reference/table_customization.html">Customize Table</a>.
Select <img src="ATS_files/bug.gif"> to <a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/osee.ats/reference/report_a_bug.html">Report a Bug</a>.

Merge Manager View

<img src="ATS_files/Merge_1.gif" border="0">
===Purpose===

The Merge Manager is used to resolve conflicts that arise when doing development on parallel branches. The Merge Manager makes conflicts that arise easily identifiable and then provides the means for resolving the conflicts, so that the working branch can be committed.

Icons

<img src="ATS_files/chkbox_disabled.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> Resolution has been started for the conflict
<img src="ATS_files/accept.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> Conflict has been resolved and is ready to be committed, In the Merge column it means that the Source and Destination Branches have the same value even though they were both changed.
<img src="ATS_files/chkbox_enabled_conflicted.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> After a conflict has been marked as resolved the value changed on the source or destination branch
<img src="ATS_files/issue.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> A conflict that provides the user special information but does not need to be resolved
<img src="ATS_files/red_light.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> A conflict that can not be resolved except by reverting the Artifact or Attribute, because it was deleted on the Destination Branch
<img src="ATS_files/blue_d.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> Shows that the item defined by the column it is in has the Destination Branches value
<img src="ATS_files/green_s.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> Shows that the item defined by the column it is in has the Source Branches value
<img src="ATS_files/yellow_m.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> Shows that the item defined by the column it is in has a new value that is neither the Source Branch nor Destination Branch value.
<img src="ATS_files/conflict.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> Shows that the conflict has not been given an initial value
<img src="ATS_files/user.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> Opens the Associated Artifact for the merge
<img src="ATS_files/branch_change_source.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> Opens up the Change Report for the Source Branch
<img src="ATS_files/branch_change_dest.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> Opens up the Change Report for the Destination Branch
<img src="ATS_files/refresh.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> Refreshes the Merge Manger view to find new conflicts
<img src="ATS_files/customize_002.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> Allows the user to customize the Merge Manager tables
<img src="ATS_files/bug.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> Report a bug with the Merge Manager

Overview

The Merge Manager is in place to find conflicts and help users resolve these conflicts. A conflict exists if the value of an attribute/artifact has changed on both the Destination and Source Branches. For reference the Source Branch is the users working branch. It is the branch that the user has been making changes to and would like to then add back into the Destination Branch or Baseline Branch. Both branches are identified by name in the header of the Merge Manager.

Depending upon the conflict found, the user may have several choices for resolution. These include

Accept the value on the Source Branch and overwrite the value on the Destination Branch
Accept the value on the Destination Branch and do not add any of the Source Branch changes, (These will still show up as merged on <a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/org.eclipse.osee.framework.ui.skynet/reference/change_table.html">Change Reports</a>)
Create a solution that is a combination of the two changes
Revert the changes on the Source Branch (This is the only available solution when the Artifact/Attribute was deleted on the Destination Branch, will show up as no change on the <a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/org.eclipse.osee.framework.ui.skynet/reference/change_table.html">Change Report</a>)
Do nothing (only possible for informational conflicts)

Committing of Branches is blocked until all conflicts are resolved.

The GUI

The GUI is organized to provide the user with an ability to quickly identify conflicts.

The Heading - The Heading contains text to help identify what is being merged. It identifies the Source Branch, and the Destination Branch. It also provides the user with information about how many conflicts there are and if they have been resolved. The Heading also contains easy launch icons for additional tools in connection with the Merge Manager.
The Conflict Resolution Column - This column provides the user information about the state of the conflict. A blank entry in the column means that the conflict is new and has not had any actions performed on it. A <img src="ATS_files/chkbox_disabled.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> indicates that conflict is in the modified state. This means the user has begun merging the conflict but has not marked it as resolved. The user may transition it into the resolved state by left clicking on the <img src="ATS_files/chkbox_disabled.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> icon. The <img src="ATS_files/accept.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> icon indicates the user has marked the conflict as resolved. This means they have selected a value for it and have verified the value going in is what they want. No additional changes are allowed on a conflict once it is in the resolved state. It can be placed back into the modified state by left clicking on the <img src="ATS_files/accept.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> icon. The <img src="ATS_files/chkbox_enabled_conflicted.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> means that a conflict was in the resolved state but a new change has occurred on either the Source or Destination Branch. It serves to notify the user that the conflict was not in the finalized state when they resolved the conflict. The user can return to resolved state by left clicking on the <img src="ATS_files/chkbox_enabled_conflicted.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> icon. The <img src="ATS_files/red_light.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> icon indicates that an Artifact or Attribute must be reverted on the Source Branch. This indicates that the Artifact/Attribute was deleted on the Destination Branch and can not have a change committed onto it. The user must abandon any change to that artifact attribute by using the revert command. Once the Artifact/Attribute has been reverted the Merge Manager will be refreshed and the conflict will be removed. The <img src="ATS_files/issue.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16">icon indicates an informational conflict. The user does not have to take any action to resolve these conflicts. It just provides the information that the Source Branch deleted the Artifact/Attribute but the Destination Branch has been modified. The user is free to act as desired based on the provided information.
The Artifact Name Column - This column tells which artifact the conflict occurred on. If the name is different between the Source and Destination Branches, (this will show up as a conflict) it will at first showing use the Source Branch value and then use whatever the name is resolved to be after that has occurred.
The Artifact Type Column - Simply lists what type of Artifact is conflicted
The Conflicting Item Column - In the case of an attribute conflict it states what attribute type is conflicting. In the case of an artifact conflict it will always say "Artifact State"
The Source Value Column - When possible this column tells what value the Source Branch has for the conflict. It will always have a <img src="ATS_files/green_s.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> icon. If the conflicting item is Word Formatted Content the words "Stream data" will be shown. For artifact conflicts it will either show "Modified" or "Deleted". Left clicking on the <img src="ATS_files/green_s.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> icon will populate the Merge Branch with value found on the Source Branch.
The Destination Value Column - When possible this column tells what value the Destination Branch has for the conflict. It will always have a <img src="ATS_files/blue_d.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> icon. If the conflicting item is Word Formatted Content the words "Stream data" will be shown. For artifact conflicts it will either show "Modified" or "Deleted". Left clicking on the <img src="ATS_files/blue_d.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> icon will populate the Merge Branch with value found on the Destination Branch.
The Merge Value Column - The Merged Value column serves to show the user the value that has been selected for use when the Branch is committed. The Merge value is actually kept on a new "Merge Branch" and so any changes made to it will not affect the value seen on the Source or Destination Branches. When the Merge Value column is blank with no icon, the conflict is informational and no actions are provided. When the Merge Value column contains a <img src="ATS_files/conflict.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16">icon the value has not been set. This is the icon that should be shown for all conflicts (Except informational conflicts, or same value conflicts) the first time the user brings up the merge manager. The <img src="ATS_files/green_s.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> icon indicates that the Source Value was selected as the final value. The actual Source Value text will also be shown in this column if possible. The <img src="ATS_files/blue_d.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> icon indicates that the Destination Value was selected as the final value. The Destination Value text will also be shown in this column if possible. The <img src="ATS_files/yellow_m.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> icon will be shown when a new value has been selected for the final value. This indicates that the user has modified the final value so that it is no longer a copy of the Source or Destination, but some variation thereof. A <img src="ATS_files/accept.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> icon indicates that although both the Source Branch Value and Destination Branch Value have changed they were both changed to the same value and so there is not really a conflict. Left clicking on the icon in the Merge Value column will bring up the Merge Wizard or in the case of un-resolvable conflicts a dialog offering the ability to revert the conflicting item.
<a name="The_Right_Click_Menu">The Right Click Menu</a> - Right clicking on any row will display a menu with options for dealing with conflicts.
- "Set Source as Default Branch" - This selection is a quick way to set the Source Branch as the default branch. If the Source Branch is already set as the Default Branch, the menu item will be grayed out and there will be a check mark next to the option.
- "Set Destination as Default Branch" - This selection is a quick way to set the Destination Branch as the default branch. If the Destination Branch is already set as the Default Branch, the menu item will be grayed out and there will be a check mark next to the option.
- "Edit Merge Artifact" - This option is only enabled for Word Formatted Content conflicts and will bring up the Merge Artifact in Word. The Merge Artifact is a separate version of the artifact that will preserve the details of the Merge, and will be reviewable in the Merge Manager after an artifact is committed. IMPORTANT: If the user makes the changes to their Source Branch instead of on the Merge Artifact the Merge Manager will incorrectly represent the merge in future reviews.
- "Generate Three Way Merge" - Will generate a <a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/org.eclipse.osee.framework.ui.skynet/reference/#Three_Way_Merge"> Three Way Merge</a> for the Word Formatted Content.
- "Preview" -> "Preview Source Artifact", "Preview Destination Artifact", "Preview Merge Artifact" will show a preview in Word of the Artifact based on the version selected.
- "Differences" -> "Show Source Branch Differences", "Show Destination Branch Differences", "Show Source/Destination Differences", "Show Source/Merge Differences", "Show Destination/Merge Differences" will generate differences based upon which option is selected. Allows the user to see how different versions of the artifact differ.
- "Reveal Artifact in Explorer" - This option is only available when either the Source or Destination Branch is set as the default branch. When such is the case this will reveal the artifact in the Artifact Explorer for the Branch that is the default branch.
- "Resource History" - This option is only available when either the Source or Destination Branch is set as the default branch. When such is the case this will reveal the resource history of the artifact on the Branch that is the default branch.

Resolution Of Conflicts

For <a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/org.eclipse.osee.framework.ui.skynet/reference/#Word_Formatted_Content">Word Formatted Content</a> conflicts see the section below. This section addresses all other conflicts.

Informational Conflicts
Informational conflicts are identified by the <img src="ATS_files/issue.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> icon in the conflict resolution column in the GUI. Informational conflicts require no action by the user, and no actions are provided in the GUI other than the ability to use the <a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/org.eclipse.osee.framework.ui.skynet/reference/#The_Right_Click_Menu">right click menu</a> to examine the artifact using the tools provided there. An informational conflict is generated when the Source branch deletes an Artifact or an Attribute and that same Artifact or Attribute was modified on the Destination Branch. This is to allow the user the opportunity to review a change that was made on the Destination Branch that might make them want to take some action in regards to their deletion.
Un-resolvable Conflicts
Un-resolvable Conflicts are identified
by the <img src="ATS_files/red_light.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> icon in the conflict resolution column of the GUI. This conflicts require the user to revert the Artifact or Attribute that caused the conflict on the Source Branch. An Un-resolvable conflict is caused when the Destination Branch deletes an Artifact or Attribute while the Source Branch modifies that same Artifact, Attribute. The reason the user must revert their changes is that committing in their changes would essentially undo that deletion and bring that item back into existence. If the deletion should not have happened the user needs to talk with the committer of the
deletion to resolve the issue.
Attribute Conflicts
Attribute Conflicts occur when both the
Destination and Source branch modify an attribute. This section will cover all attributes except <a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/org.eclipse.osee.framework.ui.skynet/reference/#Word_Formatted_Content">Word Formatted Content</a> Attributes. The resolution of these Attribute values provide three options. Use the Source attribute value, use the destination attribute value, use a modified value that is some combination of the source and destination values. In order to use the Source Value the user may left click on the <img src="ATS_files/green_s.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> icon in the Source Value column. This will copy the <img src="ATS_files/green_s.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> icon and the value displayed in the Source Value column into the Merged Value Column. In order to use the Destination Value the user may left click on the <img src="ATS_files/blue_d.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> icon in the Destination Value column. This will copy the <img src="ATS_files/blue_d.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> icon and the value displayed in the Source Value column into the Merged Value Column. Both of these options are also available from the <a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/org.eclipse.osee.framework.ui.skynet/reference/#Wizard">Merge Wizard</a> (Left click on the icon in the Merge Value column) with the "Load Source Data" and "Load Destination Value" buttons. In order to modify the value to some combination the user must bring up the Merge Wizard which has an embedded editor specific to the attribute that needs to be modified. Once the value is accurately entered in the editor the user may than select "Finish" This will place a <img src="ATS_files/yellow_m.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> icon in the Merged Value column along with the new value. The user then right clicks on the <img src="ATS_files/chkbox_disabled.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> in the Conflict Status Column so that the <img src="ATS_files/accept.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> icon is displayed. The conflict is resolved and will allow the
Source Branch to be committed.

<a name="Wizard"> <img src="ATS_files/Merge_4.gif" border="0"></a>

The Merge Wizard

Resolution Of Conflicts (<a name="Word_Formatted_Content">Word Formatted Content</a>)

Resolution of conflicts is provided in two different ways. They can either copy and paste the changes into their Merge Artifact document or they can generate a Three Way Merge and accept the changes that show up in the generated document. Both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages and are best suited for different situations. They can also be combined where the situation warrants it, however the three way merge must always be done first if this is the case.

Manual Merging
- Usage
  - When one version of the artifact has many changes and the other version has very few changes
  - When both files have formatting changes
  - When three way merging generates a complex document
  - When both versions edit the same text in multiple places
  Manual Merging is the process of combining the Source Branch changes and the destination branch changes manually by copying and pasting them into the Merge Artifact document. The Merge Artifact is a separate version of the artifact that will preserve the details of the Merge, and will be reviewable in the Merge Manager after an artifact is committed. IMPORTANT: If the user makes the changes to their Source Branch instead of on the Merge Artifact the Merge Manager will incorrectly represent the merge in future reviews.
  
  The following procedure illustrates the functionality available to facilitate a manual merge.
  
  The user will first either launch the <a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/org.eclipse.osee.framework.ui.skynet/reference/#WFC%20Wizard">Merge Wizard</a> by left clicking on the icon in the Merge Value column of the GUI or they may select the functionality from the <a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/org.eclipse.osee.framework.ui.skynet/reference/#The_Right_Click_Menu">right click menu</a> for the conflict in question. The first thing to do is to bring up a word document comparison of both the Source Branch Version and the Destination Branch Version. These documents will show all of the changes that have been made to these two artifacts since the Source Branch was created. To launch these difference's the user either select "Show Source Diff" and "Show Destination Diff" from the wizard or "Differences"->"Show Source Branch Differences" and "Differences"->"Show Destination Branch Differences" from the right click menu. These will bring up the two difference's in different Word instances with window labels to allow the user to differentiate the files. The intention of bringing up these difference's is twofold. Firstly, it allows the user to identify the file that has the most changes. Secondly, it will come in use later when the user copy's and paste's changes into the Merge document.
  
  Upon identifying the branch that has the most changes the user should then set the Merge Artifact to contain that branches value. This is done by either selecting "Populate with Source Data" or "Populate with Destination Data" from the Merge Wizard or left clicking on the <img src="ATS_files/green_s.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> icon or the <img src="ATS_files/blue_d.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> icon in the Source and Destination Value columns in the Merge Manager GUI. The user can then bring up the Merge Artifact for editing by clicking on "Edit Merge Artifact" in the Merge Wizard or in the right click menu. The Document that comes up contains the Merge Artifact and any changes made to it will be reflected when the Source Branch is committed. The user can than begin to copy the changes from the diff report that showed the fewest changes (opposite of the one chosen as the baseline). After all changes have been migrated into the Merge Artifact document the user than saves the document, which will preserve the Merge Artifact value. The user should be aware that any changes they do not wish to preserve from either the Source or Destination version of the Artifact need to be omitted on the Merge Artifact.
  
  The user then right clicks on the <img src="ATS_files/chkbox_disabled.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> in the Conflict Status Column so that the <img src="ATS_files/accept.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> icon is displayed. The conflict is resolved and will allow the Source Branch to be committed.
<a name="Three_Way_Merge">Three Way Merge</a>
- Usage
  - When both versions have many changes or both versions have few changes.
  - When only one file has formatting changes (Must be combined with Manual Merging in this case)
  - When three way merging generates an understandable document
  Three Way Merging leverages Microsoft Words ability to merge documents. At the beginning of any Word Formatted Content merge it is recommended that user generate a Three Way Merge and check the complexity of the document. In most cases Three Way Merging is a quicker way to merge two documents, however in some cases the Three Way Merge will generate a document that is difficult to use and understand. This usually arises when the Source and Destination branches have edited the same text or if one of the branches has touched a large percentage of the file. As it runs fairly quickly it is always a good idea to run it at the beginning of a Merge to check if it is useful. Three Way Merging only allows the user to maintain format changes from one of the documents. If format changes are made on both documents the Three Way Merge will prompt the user as to which format changes they would like to maintain, the user will then need to copy the format changes from the other document into the Merge Artifact document manually.
  
  A Three Way Merge is generated by selecting Generate Three Way Merge from either the <a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/org.eclipse.osee.framework.ui.skynet/reference/#WFC%20Wizard">Merge Wizard</a> or the <a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/org.eclipse.osee.framework.ui.skynet/reference/#The_Right_Click_Menu">right click menu</a>. IMPORTANT: Generating a Three Way Merge will discard any changes made to the Merge Artifact, therefore a prompt will make sure this is the intended operation. If a user had started a Three Way Merge previously but had not completed the Merge the user is also given the option of continuing the previous Merge in the prompt (Selecting Edit Merge Artifact will also have this effect). The following is an example of a Three Way Merge in Word.
  <img src="ATS_files/Merge_3.gif" border="0">
  
  A Three Way Merge
  
  The changes made by the Source Branch and Destination Branch are shown in different colors in the Word Document. In this particular case the changes made in Red were done by the Source Branch and the changes made in Blue were done on the Destination Branch. The color scheme is not consistent and the user needs to verify which color equates to which changes by hovering there mouse over one of the changes. A popup will be shown which will identify the author. The following <a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/org.eclipse.osee.framework.ui.skynet/reference/http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word/HA010983881033.aspx"> Guide</a> will explain how to resolve the changes in the document. IMPORTANT: All changes must be either accepted or rejected before the conflict can be marked as resolved. After the user has resolved all the changes it is a good idea to do generate a difference document between the Source Artifact and the Merge Artifact, and the Destination Artifact and the Merge Artifact by selecting "Show Source/Merge Diff" and "Show Destination/Merge Diff" from the merge Wizard or "Differences"->"Show Source/Merge Differences" and "Differences"->"Show Destination/Merge Differences" from the <a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/org.eclipse.osee.framework.ui.skynet/reference/#The_Right_Click_Menu">right click menu</a>. These views will show the differences between the branch artifact and the merge artifact. For the Source/Merge difference this will show everything that is different between the source document and the Merge document. In the case where the user accepts all changes from the source and destination branches this diff will highlight all of the changes that occurred on the destination branch. In the Destination/Merge diff it will highlight all of the changes that happened on the source branch. It is always possible to use Manual
  Merging techniques in conjunction with Three Way Merging.
  
  The user then right clicks on the <img src="ATS_files/chkbox_disabled.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> in the Conflict Status Column so that the <img src="ATS_files/accept.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16"> icon is displayed. The conflict is resolved and will allow the Source Branch to be committed.
  
  <a name="WFC Wizard"> <img src="ATS_files/Merge_5.gif" border="0"></a>
  
  Word Formatted Content Merge Wizard

Additional Features

The Merge Wizard contains a "Clear the Merge Artifact" that is not available from the right click menu and only available for Word Formatted Content. This will empty out the Merge artifact and allow the user to start with an empty document for editing. It will also place a <img src="ATS_files/conflict.gif" width="16" border="0" height="16">icon in the merge value column for that conflict.

Table Customization

Purpose

Customize the table to show desired columns, widths with specified sorting and filters. Enables loading of both personal and global customizations and provides the ability to select a customization as the default customization to be loaded upon startup.

Select Customization

Lists current personal and global customizations to be selected from. Double-click to automatically load selected customizationa and close dialog.

"-- Table Default --" - Show the default customization for this table.
"-- Current --" - Show the current customization as set from table alterations.
"Other" - Shows a stored customization available for loading.

Select Customization - Icons / Overlays

<img src="ATS_files/customize_002.gif"> Customization.
<img src="ATS_files/customizeD.gif"> Default customization loaded up restart.
<img src="ATS_files/customizeG.gif"> Global customization available to all users.

Select Customization - Buttons

Load - Loads the currently selected customization.
Load+Close - Loads the selected customization and closes the dialog.
Set as Default - Sets the currently selected customization as the default to load upon restart.
Delete - Deletes the currently selected customization.

Configure Customization

Allows for the selected customization to be configured, loaded and saved.

Hidden Columns - Shows the columns that are available to be displays but configured as hidden.
Visible Columns - Show the columns that are configured to be displayed for this customization.
(x) - shows the currently configured width of the column
Sorter - xml representation of the column order to sort by
Text Filter - shows the configured text filter to be applied for this customization. Enter as string.

Configure Customization - Buttons

Load - Loads the configured customization.
Load+Close - Loads the configured customization and closes the dialog.
Rename - Allows the user to define an alternate name for the column.
Save - Saves the configured customization as personal or global (if permissions allow).

==OSEE Branching and Differences Diagrams==

<a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/org.eclipse.osee.framework.ui.skynet/reference/OSEE%20Branch%20Diagram.pdf">OSEE Branching Diagram</a>
<a href="http://127.0.0.1:4441/help/topic/org.eclipse.osee.framework.ui.skynet/reference/OSEE%20Branch%20Differences.pdf">OSEE Differeces Diagram</a>

Breadcrumbs

Notice: this Wiki will be going read only early in 2024 and edits will no longer be possible. Please see: https://gitlab.eclipse.org/eclipsefdn/helpdesk/-/wikis/Wiki-shutdown-plan for the plan.

OSEE/ATS/Users Guide

Contents

ATS - Action Tracking System

Documentation

Configuring ATS

Configuring ATS for Multi-Branch committing...

Configuring ATS for Change Tracking

ATS Overview

Powerpoint Overview

Terms

ATS Icons

ATS Objects

ATS Overlays

ATS Operations

ATS Configuration

Priorities for classifying problems

Report a Bug

Purpose

How to do it

ATS Workflow Editor

Purpose

How to do it

<a href="./reference/workflow_editor/ats_workflow_editor_workflow_tab.html">Workflow Tab</a>

<a href="./reference/workflow_editor/ats_workflow_editor_task_tab.html">Task Tab</a>

ATS Workflow Editor - Workflow Tab

Purpose

How to do it

Current State

Other States

Services

ATS Workflow Editor - Task Tab

Purpose

How to do it

Open Task

Right-click edit

Alt-Left-Click edit

Actions

Working Branch Widget

Commit Manager Widget

OSEE Spell Checking

Purpose

How to do it

Main Dictionary

Additional Released Dictionaries

Run-time Global Dictionary

Run-time Personal Dictionary

ATS Navigator

Purpose

How to do it

Filter

ATS Action View

Purpose

How to do it

ToolTip

Double-Click / Right-Click

ATS World View

Purpose

How to do it

Open ATS Action, Team Workflow, Task or Review

Sorting

Bottom Status Line

Top Status Line

Filtering

Actions

Result View

Purpose

How to do it

Actions

Mulit-page

Peer To Peer Review Workflow

Purpose

State Machine

How to do it

Decision Review Workflow

Purpose

State Machine

How to do it

Followup State