JCI Use Case: Relationship Analysis

Published Date: December 1, 2025
Validated: Yes
Audience: Everyone
Products and Versions Covered:

• Jama Connect Interchange™ 
• Excel Functions
• Jama Connect®
• Cloud / CVC
• Self-hosted

Summary

This article demonstrates how to analyze relationships between system requirements, upstream user needs, and downstream verification test cases using Jama Connect Interchange™ with Excel.

The use case ensures that:

• Each system requirement is connected to at least one upstream user need.
• Each system requirement is connected to at least one downstream verification test case.
• Upstream user needs are in the Accepted state.
• Downstream verification test cases are in the Accepted state.

By following this example, users can automatically flag missing or non-compliant relationships and quickly identify items that require attention.

Resolution

Step 1: Create a Warnings Field

• In your System Requirement item type, create a field to store any generated warnings from the analysis.

Step 2: Prepare the Excel Spreadsheet

1. Designate columns for:
   • Project IDs of the upstream user needs
   • Workflow status of the upstream user needs
   • Project IDs of downstream verification test cases
   • Workflow status of downstream test cases
2. Create Excel formulas to evaluate each rule:
   • Missing upstream user needs: If no project IDs are listed, generate a warning like "Missing upstream user needs".
   • Non-accepted items: If an upstream user need is not in the accepted state, generate a warning like "Project-UN-1 is not accepted" (similar logic applies for downstream test cases).
3. This approach allows item-specific warnings, making it easy to identify exactly which items fail the rules.

Step 3: Add the Spreadsheet to Jama Connect

• Upload your spreadsheet to your Jama project.
• Reference: [Jama Connect Interchange Excel Functions and Easy Start Guide].

Step 4: Configure the JCI Integration

1. Create a JCI integration with the spreadsheet.
2. Map inputs and outputs between your Jama project and the spreadsheet columns.
3. Ensure formulas correspond correctly to the mapped fields.

Step 5: Run the Integration and Validate

• Execute the integration and verify that formulas work correctly.
• Correct any formula errors as needed.
• Review generated warnings in Jama to identify issues with relationships or workflow status.

Best Practices

• Automate relationship validation to reduce manual review and errors.
• Use descriptive warning messages to speed up troubleshooting.
• Keep the Excel spreadsheet and mapping updated as item types or workflows change.

Additional References

• Jama Connect Interchange Excel Functions and Easy Start Guide
• Jama Connect Interchange User Guide
• Success Programs
• Success Catalog
• Datasheets
• Request a Solution Offering or Training from the Success Catalog

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