Import a Workflow Type

Use this feature to import a workflow type from a test environment or any other database. In addition, you can use this feature to restore a previously exported workflow type.

The Import menu is secured based on the user roles in EPM Security Administrator. If the workflow type you are importing already exists, you must have write access to the existing workflow type.

This topic covers the following types of imports:

• Import a workflow type that resides on a different application server

• Import a workflow type from the same database

• Import a workflow type from a different database

Import a Workflow Type that Resides on a Different Application Server

Before you can import a workflow type that is located on a different application server, you need to export it.

To export the workflow from the existing server and import it onto a different server:

1. Access the server where the workflow is located.

2. Export the workflow type. See Export a Workflow Type for steps.

3. Locate the application folder where PM Compass is installed.

4. Navigate to the ItemTypeExport subfolder and locate the two files (.CSV and .ITX) with the workflow type name and the date/time extension.  

   You can rename these files, but the system will restore the workflow type as the same name as it was when it was backed up.

5. Copy these files to a different server or email them to someone.

After the files are on the new application server, import the workflow type using the Import a Workflow Type From a Different Database steps below.

Import a Workflow Type From a Different Database

If the workflow type resides on a different application server, you will first need to copy it onto the server on which you are working. See Import A Workflow Type That Resides on a Different Application Server above for detailed steps.

Before you can import a workflow type, the following data components must exist in the database into which you are importing:

• The workflow category

• The custom fields used in the workflow type and in the workflow steps

• Source fields used in the workflow type and in the workflow steps

• All source fields used in the workflow steps must be identified in User Field Mapping

To confirm that the correct data components exist in the custom fields and source fields:

1. Check User Defined Data with Area = All Workflows and confirm that the settings in the Custom Fields tab and the Source Fields tab are the same before importing the workflow type. If not, manually add all custom fields, source fields, and so on, to the new database.

To identify the fields that are used in the workflow type before restoring it, check the metadata:

1. On the Navigation menu, click Administration » Workflow Type Configuration.

2. On the Workflow Type Configuration Form toolbar, click Import.

3. Use the Import Workflow Type Dialog Box to select the workflow type to import.

4. Click View Metadata. A file displays that shows all of the data used in the workflow type.

   The metadata lists the things that you need to manually setup or should be present in the target database before you perform the import. This means that you can check those pre-requisites using the View Metadata button to ensure that your import will be successful.

   See Metadata Overview for an example of the contents of a metadata for a Baseline Change Request workflow type.

After all of the data has been added to the new database, you are ready to import the workflow type.

To import a workflow type:

1. On the Navigation menu, click Administration » Workflow Type Configuration.

2. On the Workflow Type Configuration Form toolbar, click Import.

3. Use the Import Workflow Type dialog box to select the location of the workflow type to import.

   Click Other Location to import files from a location other than the default folder on the PM Compass server.

4. Click Import.

If the workflow type that you are importing already exists, you will be prompted with a message asking if you want to overwrite the existing workflow type with the version that you are importing. Select Yes to replace and proceed with the import or No to select another workflow type.

Workflow Categories must be added manually by accessing List Tables and Workflow Categories and adding the category that is shown in the metadata. You need to add the category contained in the metadata to the workflow category list table.

For more information, see Add a Workflow Category.

Import a Workflow Type from the Same Database

To import a workflow type from the same database:

1. On the Navigation menu, click Administration » Workflow Type Configuration.

2. On the Workflow Type Configuration Form toolbar, click Import.

3. Use the Import Workflow Type dialog box to select the location of the workflow type to import.

   Click Other Location to import files from a location other than the default folder on the PM Compass server.

4. Click Import.

If the workflow type that you are importing already exists, you will be prompted with a message asking if you want to overwrite the existing workflow type with the version that you are importing. Select Yes to replace and proceed with the import or No to select another workflow type.

Workflow Categories must be added manually by accessing List Tables and Workflow Categories and adding the category that is shown in the metadata. You need to add the category contained in the metadata to the workflow category list table. For more information, see Add a Workflow Category.

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Where did my export go?

Export a workflow type

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