---
title: "Why isn't the Traceability module in Ketryx showing a direct trace to items one-step removed?"
description: "The default configuration for Ketryx's traceability matrix can be found in the project advanced settings (click the question icon next to 'traceability configuration'). In this default, columns of the trace matrix draw traceability based on defined \"relations\"."
category: "Frequently Asked Questions"
section: "Traceability"
keywords: ["isn", "traceability module", "showing", "column", "removed", "relations", "trace", "direct"]
source_url: "https://support.ketryx.com/hc/en-us/articles/34440058415373-Why-isn-t-the-Traceability-module-in-Ketryx-showing-a-direct-trace-to-items-one-step-removed"
last_reviewed: 2026-06-11
---

# Why isn't the Traceability module in Ketryx showing a direct trace to items one-step removed?

> **In short:** The default configuration for Ketryx's traceability matrix can be found in the project advanced settings (click the question icon next to 'traceability configuration'). In this default, columns of the trace matrix draw traceability based on defined "relations".

The default configuration for Ketryx's traceability matrix can be found in the project advanced settings (click the question icon next to 'traceability configuration').

In this default, columns of the trace matrix draw traceability based on defined "relations". For example, in the default v3 configuration, the designOutput column is configured to draw traceability based on relations to items in the designInput column.

![Screenshot 2025-02-19 at 12.25.01 PM.png](https://support.ketryx.com/hc/article_attachments/34440058412813)

To establish traceability to a different column, e.g. UseCase, you'll need to add another bit of "relations" JSON to the "designOutput" column. We recommend adding this below the existing relation as they're executed in priority order - this way Ketryx will first read relations to designInput and then useCase.

To make this configuration adjustment like this, we would copy the full v3 traceability configuration and add bit of additional JSON, below the existing "relations" for the column we want to expand traceability for - in this case designOutput.

```

,{
"kind": "direct",
"relationType": "FULFILLS" ,
"referencedColumnId": "useCase"
}
```

## Related articles

- [Why are my tests showing up as 'AT' in the traceability module?](why-are-my-tests-showing-up-as-at-in-the-traceability-module.md)
- [Why is my custom item type not showing up with default realtions?](why-is-my-custom-item-type-not-showing-up-with-default-realtions.md)
- [Does Ketryx Support Multiple Traceability Matrices?](does-ketryx-support-multiple-traceability-matrices.md)
- [Does Ketryx show cross-referenced items in the requirements traceability matrix (RTM)? If so, how do I enable this?](does-ketryx-show-cross-referenced-items-in-the-requirements-traceability-matrix.md)
- [How do I remove unrelated test cases from my requirements traceability matrix?](how-do-i-remove-unrelated-test-cases-from-my-requirements-traceability-matrix.md)