IBM DOORS
IBM has two products with the DOORS name. Roboticks integrates with both, but they have different ReqIF workflows.| DOORS Classic (9.x) | DOORS Next | |
|---|---|---|
| ReqIF support | Via the ReqIF Studio companion tool | Native (per module) |
| Export mechanism | Open module → ReqIF Studio plugin | OSLC API or web export |
| Recommended | Use ReqIF Studio for round-trip | Use native ReqIF |
| Roboticks integration | Same connector, different upload step | Same connector, native upload |
Connector type and pricing
| Type | BYO requirements connector |
| Tier | Team (3 BYO connectors included), Enterprise (bundled) |
| Price | $149 / connector / month above the Team allowance |
DOORS Classic workflow
DOORS Classic has no first-party ReqIF support. The community-standard path is IBM Rational ReqIF Studio (sometimes shipped as DOORS-RIF), which exports modules to ReqIF and imports them back.Setup
Install ReqIF Studio
Get it from your IBM Passport Advantage portal. It’s a Windows-only Eclipse-based tool.
Export a module
Open the DOORS module in ReqIF Studio → Export → ReqIF. Save the
.reqif file. For modules with embedded OLE objects (rare in modern DOORS use), the export also produces a .reqifz zip.DOORS Classic field mapping
DOORS Next workflow
DOORS Next has native ReqIF — you can export from the web UI or via the OSLC REST API.Setup
Get an OSLC export URL
In DOORS Next: open the module → Configurations → Stream → Export → ReqIF → API URL.
CI recipe (DOORS Next)
DOORS-specific quirks
Object IDs vs Absolute Numbers
DOORS Classic distinguishes the human-friendly Object Identifier (e.g.,REQ-001) from the immutable Absolute Number. Use Absolute Number as id for stable round-trip; surface Object Identifier as a separate field if humans expect to see it.
OLE objects in DOORS Classic
If your DOORS modules embed Word/Excel objects inObject Text, ReqIF Studio extracts them as attachments inside the .reqifz bundle. Roboticks ingests the bundle, stores attachments, and surfaces them in the requirement detail view — but they’re not searchable text.
DOORS Next configurations
DOORS Next has a Streams-and-Baselines configuration management model. Always export from a named stream (not the default), and pass the stream’s name as--baseline to Roboticks so the configuration round-trips:
Link modules vs natively-typed links
DOORS Classic models links via separate Link Modules (one per relationship type). DOORS Next uses typed links inline. The field mapping handles both via thelink_modules / link_roles keys.
Round-trip caveats
DOORS Classic loses formatting on round-trip
DOORS Classic loses formatting on round-trip
Object Text is rich-text DOORS DXL. ReqIF Studio converts to XHTML; Roboticks converts to Markdown for storage and back to XHTML on export. Headings, lists, bold/italic, links survive. Tables, embedded objects, in-line images don’t round-trip cleanly.
DOORS Next change sets and baselines
DOORS Next change sets and baselines
Always pin to a baseline for round-trip. Working off the mutable default stream means the ID-to-content mapping can shift mid-sync.
DXL scripting after import
DXL scripting after import
If your DOORS module is augmented by DXL scripts post-import (e.g., auto-numbering), run them after the Roboticks re-import or wire the script to the import event.
Validation
Troubleshooting
`ReqIF Studio crashes on a large module`
`ReqIF Studio crashes on a large module`
Modules over ~5000 objects strain the Eclipse heap. Edit
ReqIFStudio.ini: -Xmx8g. Or split the module via DOORS view filters and export in chunks.DOORS Next OSLC returns 401
DOORS Next OSLC returns 401
Use a Functional ID (technical user) — interactive sessions expire and SSO redirects break the API call. The connection’s Connection ID is configured in DOORS Next → Admin → Functional IDs.
Next
Polarion
The other big mature RM tool.
rbtk requirements
Upload, coverage, export.