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| xmlns:epf="http://www.eclipse.org/epf" epf:version="1.5.0" xmlns:rmc="http://www.ibm.com/rmc" |
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| changeDate="2008-10-30T09:15:51.968-0700" version="1.0.0"> |
| <mainDescription><p>
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| <span style="mso-spacerun: yes">When detailing method elements, be sure to:</span>
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| </p>
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| <ul>
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| <li>
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| Use the individual fields of the method element (and associated guidance) instead of putting all the details in the
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| Main description field. This&nbsp;separates and simplifies the detailed text so the reader can easily focus on the
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| information they’re interested in. Specifically, use the Brief Description or Purpose sections of method content to
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| state the purpose or conclusion of the idea that’s being communicated. Use the remaining sections to provide a
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| detailed explanation of the subject. A method element should immediately communicates the specific idea that’s
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| being described. Reading the rest of the sections is useful to understand the detail of the subject.
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| </li>
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| <li>
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| Keep text sparse to allow the reader to quickly scan and locate the information they want.
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| </li>
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| <li>
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| Document process-dependent information separate from the method content element definition.&nbsp;Method
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| content&nbsp;elements should&nbsp;be process independent. Any minor differences/tweaks to the elements based on
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| where they occur in&nbsp;a particular process or lifecycle&nbsp;can be captured in the processes in which the
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| element appears (more on this below). This maximizes the reuse of the method content across processes.
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| </li>
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| <li>
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| Define associations to guidance, not just hyperlinks in the text.&nbsp;If you link to other guidance from the HTML
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| of a guidance element, define an association from the guidance element to the guidance you are referring
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| to.&nbsp;This ensures that Method Composer will help flag those cases where the referenced guidance is not included
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| in the configuration.
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| </li>
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| <li>
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| Adhere to the recommended guidelines for textual content.&nbsp;See <a class="elementLink"
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| href="./../../../core.mdev.common.base/guidances/reusableassets/formatting_and_writing_tips_for_method_authors_F218DBA8.html"
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| guid="_sEOcoJcDEd2sTqxclDgvog">Formatting and Writing Tips for Method Authors</a>.
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| </li>
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| <li>
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| Capture the source of the information being included in the element. This information is important if you ever need
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| to provide source information for the element for documenting ownership rights.&nbsp;
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| </li>
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| <li>
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| Maintain version histories.&nbsp;For more information, see <a class="elementLinkWithType"
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| href="./../../../core.mdev.common.base/guidances/guidelines/maintaining_change_histories_and_version_numbers_B83271.html"
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| guid="_k91OkFpBEdutiI3y4Hpy9Q">Guideline: Maintaining Change Histories and Version Numbers</a>.&nbsp;
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| </li>
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| </ul>
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| <p>
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| For guidelines on detailing the fields that are common across all method elements, see <a class="elementLinkWithType"
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| href="./../../../core.mdev.common.base/guidances/guidelines/detailing_common_method_element_fields_940D3CE0.html"
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| guid="_zVLrkJZwEd2ireJkqESkdQ">Guideline: Detailing Common Method Element Fields</a>.
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| </p>
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| <p>
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| Method elements can be detailed using templates.&nbsp;For more information, see <a class="elementLinkWithType"
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| href="./../../../core.mdev.common.base/guidances/guidelines/detailing_method_content_using_templates_C2B4A444.html"
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| guid="_mHp3UOurEdydutqrlpQKOw">Guideline: Detailing Method Content Using Templates</a>.
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| </p></mainDescription> |
| </org.eclipse.epf.uma:ContentDescription> |