The method Web site consists of a set of HTML pages you can view using Microsoft® Internet Explorer, Mozilla and Firefox browsers.

Note: Some capabilities, like the Search and My View, implemented as applets requires JRE 1.4.2 or higher (you can download a JRE from http://java.sun.com/j2se). As an alternative, you can publish a configuration without applets, which does not have the Search and My View capabilities, but does not require a JRE. If the site that you are viewing was published without applets, then Search and My View will not be present.

The following figure shows the major elements used to browse the method Web site.

Select any area of the figure for a brief explanation of how to navigate.

Elements of the Browser Environment

Glossary

Clicking this button will launch a separate window containing the glossary which alphabetically lists the terms used in the method Web site, along with definitions and links to example pages.

Index

Clicking on the Index button launches a separate window containing an alphabetic listing of topics in the method Web site. Clicking on a hyperlink in the index will cause the related page to be displayed in the main window.

Feedback

Clicking on the Feedback button launches a separate window with an e-mail message to Rational feedback, automatically referencing the page currently appearing in the main window.

About

Clicking on the About button launches a pop-up window with the copyright current version number.

Search

Search allows a keyword to be entered and searched for in the process, causing all pages which are relevant to the topic to be displayed in a Search Results window. The Search Utility works on keyword topics, rather than searching for strings in process content pages.
Note that the Search Engine, implemented as applets, requires JRE 1.4.2 or higher (you can download a JRE from http://java.sun.com/j2se). If the site that you are viewing was published without applets, then Search will not be present.

Print

The Print button sends the content in the main window to your printer.

Main Content Frame

This frame is where the method content is displayed. The content is organized in sections that are expandable and collapsible. 

Views

A view allows you to navigate and use a method Web site from a different perspective. Here are some examples of views.

1. The Team view shows all content in the Web site. It encompasses all of the other views and allows you to navigate the method from different perspectives (lifecycle, delivery process, roles, disciplines, work products and so on). It also provides you with Getting Started information.
2. The Getting Started view provides an understanding of the foundations of the method (Key Principles, Process Essentials, Method Architecture Fundamentals), information on how to navigate the Web site, and roadmaps for using the Web site from a particular technology or stakeholder perspective. It also provides appendix-type material, such as references and resources.
3. The Role Sets view allow you to select the role in which you are interested, and view all work related to that role. You can also view Disciplines, Domains and Tool Mentors that are of importance to this role's work.
4. The Delivery Processes view allows you to navigate lifecycles (like the Classic RUP and the Business Modeling lifecycles). The tree browser contains lifecycle elements from the phase level down to the iteration, activity and sub-activity levels.  Three breakdown structures are provided for each lifecycle element:
5. • Work Breakdown Structure showing activities and tasks
   • Role Allocation showing roles 
   • Work Product Usage showing work products 

Note that the Work Breakdown Structure may have a navigable graphic illustrating the work involved in the associated lifecycle element. Note also that the task descriptors in the Work Breakdown Structures have steps. These steps are shown as solid blue circles. An empty blue circle indicates that the step will not be completed in this lifecycle.

Tools to Create Personalized Views

These tools allow you to quickly and easily create a personalized view of the method Web site. See the Supporting Material: My View section for information on how to use these tools.