Creating a variation to branch a product

A branch is a variation of a product. For example, a product that is called SuperCar is branched to create SuperCar (shared:Model=ClassicCar), branched again from SuperCar to create Car (shared:Model=ElectricCar), and branched again from SuperCar to create SuperCar (shared:Model=PlugInCar).

In the Browse Products page, the SuperCar branches look like this:

This image shows the "SuperCar" product and three branches.

The branches signify variations of SuperCar. Many child products of SuperCar might work for all of the variations, such as Braking system, Doors, and Interior. Other child products, such as Engine and Wheels, are probably different for each branch.

Before you begin

You must have a product to branch from. See Creating a product for instructions.

Procedure

  1. In the Browse Products screen, right-click over the product to branch from and select Check Out New Branch.
  2. In the Check Out New Branch dialog box, enter a dimension and a value.

    A branch dimension helps describe how a branch is unique by defining one of the features of the branch. A dimension consists of a name, such as Model, and a value, such as SuperCar. A branch can have more than one dimension and value pair, but the set of dimensions name and value pairs must be unique for each branch.

    You can create a local or shared dimension.

    A local dimension usually defines a specific aspect of a product branch, such as a dimension name of car_lock and value of infrared.

    A shared dimension usually defines a general aspect of a product branch, such as a dimension name of year and value of 2012.

    If you were to set SuperCar to use the dimensions in the examples, then the SuperCar title becomes: SuperCar (:car_lock=infrared, shared:year=2012). Whenever you see shared: before a dimension, the dimension is shared. Whenever you see : before a dimension, the dimension is local.

    Manage dimensions by using the Manage Branch Dimensions screen (Products > Manage Branch Dimensions).

  3. Click Create.

    If you are using the Rational Team Concert™ integration and you branch a connected product and then share the product variant, the normal rules of product tree management apply to the new product variant. For a discussion, see Versions and variants.

Example

Some examples of branches include:

Blood pressure cuff with a branch for adults [blood pressure cuff (:cuffsize=adult)] and a branch for juveniles [blood pressure cuff (:cuffsize=juvenile)].

What to do next


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