Traceability and User Allocation Matrix View Tools

PowerDesigner provides tools to help you work with your traceability and user allocation matrices.

Tool Description
Select Rows Columns

Select Rows/Columns - Opens a selection box which allows you to select rows and columns to display in the matrix either by hand or by defining a filter.

Display Only Full Rows/Columns - Displays only full rows and columns, so that you focus only on requirements with links. Alternatively, select Requirements > Display Only Full Rows/Columns.

Display Only Empty Rows/Columns - Displays only empty rows and columns that need to be linked. Alternatively, select Requirements > Display Only Empty Rows/Columns.

Vertical Column Header

Vertical/Horizontal Column Header - Toggles between vertical and horizontal orientation of column headers.

Shrink to Fit

Shrink to Fit - Shrinks row and column headers to fit their contents.

Export to Excel

Export to Excel - Exports the matrix as an MS Excel file. If the specified file already exists, you will be given the option to overwrite it or append a new worksheet in the file.

Change Traceability Matrix Type

Change Traceability Matrix Type - Opens a dialog to let you specify the type of objects you want to link to your requirements. You can choose between:


  • Design objects (objects from other types of models) – to confirm that the requirements have been integrated in the analysis and design processes.

  • External files (MS Word, MS Excel, PowerDesigner...) - the links with MS Word are managed automatically. You can also link requirements with pieces of various documents (e.g. a planning document).

  • Requirements from different hierarchies - to manage interconnected requirements. For example, you can start from a customer requirements list, then move to a designer requirements list, and end with specifications. The requirement-to-requirement matrix view allows you to check that no requirement has been forgotten between the customer list and the specifications.