Handling Top-Level Container Exports in DX and ReqIF

Overview

This article explains the DX option for including a top-level container in exports, its relevance to ReqIF, and considerations for Jama Connect Integration (JCI).

1. What Is the "Include Top-Level Container" Option in DX?

✔ This option allows users to export an entire container structure, treating the top-level component as the primary module.
✔ Without selecting this option, DX exports only the first-level children of the selected location, treating them as separate specifications.
✔ This is NOT a standard ReqIF feature but rather a DX-specific implementation for structuring ReqIF documents.

✔ Impact on ReqIF Exchange & JCI:

• Other ReqIF-based tools (DOORS, DNG) may not support this flag.

• When importing into JCI, the top-level container is visible, but nested sets are treated separately.

• This feature was originally designed for multi-location project exports.

2. How Does the Export Setting Work?

✔ If "Include Top-Level Container" is selected:

• The entire container structure is exported.

• All sets inside the component become modules in DOORS upon import.

✔ If the option is NOT selected:

• Only first-level children of the selected location are exported as independent ReqIF specifications.

• Nested structures within the top-level container are not maintained as part of a unified module.

✔ When is this needed?

• Jama-to-Jama exchanges require this option enabled to maintain the full structure.

• If exporting to DOORS/DNG, users should verify whether the receiving tool can interpret top-level containers correctly.

3. Best Practices for Handling Top-Level Containers in ReqIF Exports

✅ For Jama-to-Jama Exchange: Always enable this option if maintaining the full structure is necessary.
✅ For Jama-to-DOORS/DNG Exports: Verify whether the target tool supports top-level containers or if a manual structure mapping is needed.
✅ For JCI Integration: Evaluate whether tool-specific methods can replace this feature to simplify user experience.

4. Conclusion

• The "Include Top-Level Container" option is DX-specific and not a standard ReqIF feature.

• Jama-to-Jama exchanges require this option enabled, while other tools may not interpret it correctly.

• JCI may implement tool-specific solutions to handle structured exports/imports without requiring this setting.