# Compare Data Models

> Compares the data models of two streams or baselines, in any projects or components, and shows every difference in artifact types, attributes, data types and link types.

Source: https://widgets.doorsnext.com/widgets/compare-data-models/

- Area: Configuration and governance
- Works in: IBM DOORS Next, all projects
- Supported products: RM (IBM Engineering Requirements Management DOORS Next (Requirements Management))
- Read only
- Keywords: compare data models, type system comparison, artifact types, attribute types, data types, link types, project templates, stream comparison, data model differences
- Version: 5.16 (Released 2026-10-05)
- Vendor: SmarterProcess (https://doorsnext.com, info@smarterprocess.pl)

## What it is and why it exists
The data model of a DOORS Next project (its artifact types, attributes, data types and link types) defines how requirements are captured and traced. Organizations usually want the same model in all projects, so that reports, publishing templates, integrations and global configurations work everywhere.

In practice, models drift apart: a project adds an attribute, another renames a type, a third forgets a link type. Finding these differences by comparing settings screens is close to impossible. Compare Data Models was created to show them in seconds.

## Problems it solves
- Projects or components whose data models differ, and no one knows where.
- Reports, publishing templates and integrations that work in one project but fail in another.
- Problems when delivering changes between streams or when building global configurations.
- Manual comparisons of type systems that take days and miss details.

## Benefits
- **Every difference at a glance:** artifact types, attributes, data types and link types, side by side.
- **Any two configurations:** streams or baselines, in the same or different projects and components.
- **Excel report** with a summary and one sheet per category, ready to share with administrators.
- **Read only:** nothing changes in DOORS Next.
- **A solid basis** for harmonizing the data model and for process governance.

## How to use
1. In **Source**, choose the project, component and stream or baseline. It starts with what is open in DOORS Next.
2. In **Target**, choose the other side. A button swaps source and target.
3. Click **Compare data models**. The totals per category appear in Execution Status.
4. In **Comparison**, choose a category, show only differences or everything, and open a row to see both definitions.
5. Export the whole comparison to Excel with the download icon.

## Good to know
- Definitions are matched by name, and optionally by their assigned URIs, which matter for global configuration and reporting.
- Typical uses: before a delivery between streams, before setting up a global configuration, and when aligning projects with a corporate template.