The Interactive Dependency Graph is the basic visual experience of Rapids CPM Analyzer. It dynamically reads your existing Jira issue and links, rendering them as interactive map, automatically grouped by sprint.
Accessing the Graph
If this is the first time you are accesing your project after installing Rapids CPM Analyzer, you will need to add the app in the top-menu.
Simply navigate to your project and click in the Rapids menu icon at the top bar. The app will automatically fetch your issues, sprints, and link data to generate the graph without any manual configuration.
Understanding the View
The graph is designed to give you an immediate, high-level understanding of your project’s state.
Demo: Navigating and interacting with the dependency graph.
Visual Elements
- Nodes (Issue Cards): Each card represents a Jira issue. The card displays essential information at a glance: the issue key, summary, current status (color-coded), assignee avatar, and estimation value (Story Points or Man-Days).
- Edges (Connecting Lines): The curved lines connecting issues represent dependencies. The direction of the arrow indicates the flow of the dependency (e.g., Issue A blocks Issue B).
- Sprint Swim-lanes: The canvas is divided into vertical columns, each representing a sprint. Issues are automatically placed in their assigned sprint column, allowing you to trace dependencies chronologically from Sprint 1 to Sprint X. Unassigned issues appear in a dedicated “Backlog” column.
Navigation and Interaction Controls
The graph is highly interactive, allowing you to explore complex projects with ease:
- Pan: Click and drag anywhere on the empty canvas to pan around the graph.
- Zoom: Use your mouse wheel or trackpad to zoom in for ticket details or zoom out for a bird’s-eye view.
- Highlighting: Hover over any node to highlight it and its direct dependencies. This dims the rest of the graph, making it incredibly easy to trace a specific issue’s impact.
Best Practice: Use the dependency graph in sprint retrospectives, planning meetings, or daily standups. It serves as a visual single source of truth to communicate blockers and cross-sprint dependencies to stakeholders effectively.