Defining a workflow

A state transition model defines the states that a work item can be in and the actions that users take to move the work item from one state to another. Typically, a state transition model starts with an open or submitted state and ends with a state that reflects the final disposition of the work item, such as completed or resolved.
Before you begin
Edition note: The feature described here applies to Rational Team Concert™ Standard edition and Enterprise edition only.
About this task
In IBM® Rational Team Concert, you define the state transition model by specifying a workflow and then binding that workflow to a work item type category. A type category can have only one workflow. All work item types associated with the category use the workflow bound to that category.
  1. In the Team Artifacts view of the Work Items perspective, right-click the project area and select Open.
  2. Click the Process Configuration tab. Expand Project Configuration, then Configuration Data, and then Work Items (advanced). Click Workflows. Click Add. Enter a name for the new workflow. By default, the ID field has the same value as name that you enter in the Name field, but the ID value is lowercase. Click OK.

    In the States section, click Add. Enter a name and brief description for the state. Optionally, select a group that is appropriate for the state. For example, the open group would be appropriate for the Submitted state. The process templates include a set of icons. Select one of the existing icons, or click Add Icons and navigate to a graphics file to use as the icon for the state. Click OK. Repeat this process to define all states in the workflow.

    In the Resolutions section, click Add. Enter a name and brief description for the manner in which a work item can be resolved. For example, you might define resolutions such as Fixed, Fixed indirectly, and Not a bug. Select or add an icon for the resolution. Click OK. Repeat this process to define all resolutions in the workflow.

    In the Transitions section, a matrix illustrates the state transition model. The row headings contain the from state, and the column headings contain the target state. The intersecting cells contain the actions that users take to move the work item from the from state to the target state. To add an action, click a cell, click the down arrow, and select New Action. Enter a name for the action and click OK. Continue to add actions necessary to support your state transition model. At a minimum, provide actions to enable users to move the work item from its original state to its final state. In the Start action field, select the action used to place the work item in its initial state. In the Resolve action field, select the action used to move the work item to a resolved state. In the Reopen field, select the action used to re-open a work item that is in a resolved state.

    Click Save to save your changes.

  3. Under Configuration Data, expand Work Items . Click Workflow Bindings. To associate a type category with a workflow, select the type category, then choose the desired workflow. Click Save to save your changes.
Results
The new workflow applies to all work item types that belong to the work item type category to which it is bound.

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