Plays Well with Others
Rational ClearQuest's integration with requirements, development, build, test, deployment and portfolio management tools facilitates rapid response to change throughout the software development lifecycle. For example, the bi-directional integration with IBM Rational RequisitePro lets you associate specific requirements to change requests and track changes to requirements. On the software configuration management (SCM) front, the bi-directional IBM Rational ClearCase integration associates Rational ClearQuest change records with UCM activities (Unified Change Management) and/or with base Rational ClearCase file versions. You can also integrate Rational ClearQuest with Microsoft Visual SourceSafe and Subversion (expanded on shortly).

Rational ClearQuest also integrates with IBM Rational Build Forge to automate and streamline software delivery. Rational Build Forge can directly associate build efforts with specific defects in Rational ClearQuest for better tracking and reproducibility. Furthermore, Rational ClearQuest provides the ability to integrate with a variety of testing tools. You can submit change requests directly from these testing tools allowing for the automatic capture data. And last but not least, Rational ClearQuest integrates with the Rational and Microsoft integrated development environments (IDEs) to allow for easy submission of defects and enhancements during the design and construction phases of software development.

Clarity of Vision
An IBM Rational Partner, Clearvision CM, has developed a robust integration between Subversion (the open source configuration management tool) and Rational ClearQuest. Their product, CQ2SVN, enables users to record a list of modified files and developer comments within a Rational ClearQuest change record. Once the change is complete, the change record automatically moves to the next state of the workflow without using Rational ClearQuest itself.

The Rational ClearQuest/Subversion integration is bi-directional meaning the Rational ClearQuest change record information is stored in the Subversion version history. Previously users of integrated IBM Rational solutions would be reluctant to choose anything but Rational ClearCase because of the close integration with Rational ClearQuest. CQ2SVN performs seamless "change set" integration between Rational ClearQuest and Subversion and can work alongside existing Rational ClearCase UCM and Base integrations.

CQ2SVN's real-time visibility into Rational ClearQuest reduces development time while increasing accuracy and quality of information. This results in fewer opportunities for human error and allows enforcement of a consistent change and configuration management process across the organization (for both local and geographically remote users). The Subversion integration works on a variety of platforms, including Windows and Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

Change Happens
Change is going to happen whether you like it or not. A robust change tracking system such as Rational ClearQuest provides defect tracking, process automation, reporting and lifecycle traceability for better visibility and control of the software development lifecycle. You'll have the tools you need to improve project visibility and control, and automated workflows and e-mail notifications to enhance team communication and coordination. So what are you waiting for? Go out there and get that change under control.