Asset relationships

Asset relationships enable users to specify related assets in the repository and to describe the nature of asset relationships. Asset relationships facilitate search, governance, and asset reuse.

Uses for asset relationships

Relationships help users find all of the assets that they need to complete their tasks. A list of related assets appears on the General Details page of an asset. In the Eclipse client, when you import an asset you will be prompted to download any related assets at the same time. You can use the Visual Browse tool to see a graphical representation of assets and their relationships.

Repository administrators can create additional relationship types that fit the needs of their organization. For example, if the organization produces assets that must be tested, the repository administrator can create a relationship type called test.

To provide governance, repository administrators can place relationship constraints on an asset type. The repository administrator can require that users who submit an asset of a certain type also include assets of a certain relationship. For example, if an organization produces assets that must be tested, the repository administrator can create a constraint on an asset type so that users must include a related testing asset along with an asset.

Users can specify that a relationship only exists for a specific asset version or range of versions.

Asset relationships included with Rational Asset Manager

Rational® Asset Manager is pre-populated with the following relationship and reversed relationship types:
Table 1. Pre-populated asset relationships
Relationship Reverse relationship
Parent Child
Dependency Dependent
Implementation Specification
Test Test for
Tutorial Tutorial for
Note: Pre-populated relationship types cannot be deleted.

Considerations for creating asset relationships

Relationships are two sided. If a user creates a relationship from Asset A to Asset B, then the reverse relationship exists from Asset B to Asset A.


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