Create Your First Project
Learn how to create and configure a new project in NirmIQ using the streamlined project creation wizard.
Creating a Project
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Access Projects
- From the dashboard, click "Projects" in the sidebar
- Click the "+ New Project" button
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Step 1: Choose Your Sources
The wizard guides you through selecting sources for both requirements and FMEA data:
Requirements Source
Choose one of three options:
Option Best For What You Get Start Blank New projects Empty requirements, add manually Copy Sample Project Learning, templates Duplicated requirements from a sample Industry Template Compliance-focused projects Pre-configured hierarchy for your industry FMEA Source
Choose separately from requirements:
Option Best For What You Get Start Fresh New analysis Empty FMEA, create from scratch Copy from Project Similar products Duplicate FMEA from any project FMEA Template Industry standards Pre-configured FMEA structure (coming soon) -
Step 2: Enter Project Details
- Project Name: Give your project a descriptive name
- Description (optional): Add project context or goals
- Review the configuration summary
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Create
- Click "Create Project"
- You'll be automatically switched to your new project
Industry Templates
NirmIQ provides pre-configured templates for safety-critical industries:
| Template | Standards | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Automotive - ISO 26262 | ISO 26262, ISO 21448 | ASIL classifications, DFMEA |
| Aerospace - DO-178C | DO-178C, DO-254, ARP4754A | DAL levels, flight-critical structure |
| Medical - IEC 62304 | IEC 62304, FDA 21 CFR Part 11 | Risk management, software safety class |
| Defense - MIL-STD | MIL-STD-882E | Military standards, security focus |
| General Requirements | ISO 9001, CMMI | Flexible 5-level hierarchy |
For detailed template information, see Industry Templates.
Mixing Sources
A powerful feature of NirmIQ is the ability to mix requirements and FMEA sources:
Example Use Cases:
- Copy requirements from an automotive sample, but start FMEA fresh
- Use a medical template for hierarchy, copy FMEA structure from a similar project
- Start with blank requirements but duplicate FMEA analyses from a proven design
This flexibility lets you reuse proven structures while adapting to new projects.
While mixing sources is flexible, you cannot apply FMEA templates to sample projects. Sample projects have pre-built traceability links that would break if modified with different templates.
If you need a specific industry template, create a new project from that template instead of modifying a sample.
Project Dashboard
After creating a project, you'll see:
Left Sidebar Navigation
- Dashboard: Project overview and quick stats
- Requirements: Manage your requirements hierarchy
- FMEA: Conduct failure mode analysis (Simple and Advanced)
- Traceability: View requirement-FMEA relationships
- Analytics: Charts, metrics, and compliance reports
- Test Cases: Link tests to requirements
Project Information Panel
- Project name and description
- Creation date
- Last modified date
- Quick stats (total requirements, FMEA entries)
Understanding Hierarchy
Your project uses either an industry template hierarchy or your organization's custom configuration.
Example: Automotive (ISO 26262) Hierarchy
System Requirements (SYS)
└── Safety Requirements (SAF)
└── Technical Safety Requirements (TSR)
└── Software Requirements (SWR)
└── Hardware Requirements (HWR)
Example: Aerospace (DO-178C) Hierarchy
System Requirements (SYS)
└── High-Level Requirements (HLR)
└── Low-Level Requirements (LLR)
└── Source Code (SRC)
└── Test Cases (TC)
Custom Hierarchy
If you're an Admin, you can:
- Define custom requirement types
- Set hierarchy levels (2-10 levels)
- Create Agile structures (Epic - Feature - Story)
- See Hierarchy Configuration Guide
Sample Projects
NirmIQ includes ready-to-use sample projects for learning and as starting templates:
- Automotive: Battery Management System — ISO 26262 compliant, ASIL classifications
- Aerospace: Flight Control System — DO-178C structure, DAL levels
- Medical: Automated Insulin Delivery System — IEC 62304 lifecycle, risk management
Accessing samples: Open the Project Hub and click the Samples folder in the left sidebar (marked with a lock icon). All sample projects open in read-only mode.
Using samples as a starting point: Hover any sample card and click ⋮ → Duplicate to create an editable copy. Move the copy into the Copies of Samples folder (auto-created for you) to keep things organised.
Project Limits by Tier
| Tier | Projects | Industry Templates | AI Features | Custom Hierarchy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | 3 | Limited | No | No |
| Basic | 10 | All | Limited | No |
| Advanced | 50 | All | Yes | Yes |
| Power | Unlimited | All | Yes + AIAG-VDA | Yes |
| Enterprise | Unlimited | All + Custom | Full | Yes |
What's Next?
Now that you have a project:
- Create Requirements - Add your first requirement
- Import with AI - Import from documents (Pro/Enterprise)
- Create FMEA Entries - Start failure analysis
- Safety Classifications - Add ASIL/DAL ratings
Managing Projects
Rename Project
- Go to project dashboard
- Click project name
- Edit name
- Click "Save"
Delete Project
- Go to Projects list
- Find project to delete
- Click "..." menu
- Select "Delete"
- Confirm deletion
Deleting a project is permanent and cannot be undone. All requirements, FMEA entries, and data will be lost.
Tips
- Use descriptive names: Include product/version (e.g., "SmartWatch V2.0")
- Start with a sample: Explore sample projects to learn the system
- Use templates for compliance: Industry templates ensure proper structure
- Mix sources strategically: Reuse proven FMEA while customizing requirements
- Regular exports: Export important projects periodically for backup