Auto synchronization processes

The auto synchronization process simplifies process authoring by eliminating the synchronization steps.

When many process descriptors are created and modified, a manual synchronization step is required to update and propagate the changes. The auto synchronization process eliminates the manual steps. When you adopt the auto synchronization process model, then all processes in the method library are automatically synchronized. When you create a new method library, you have the choice to synchronize automatically, but you cannot use both methods. For tailoring processes, a manual synchronization is always required.

Note: The auto synchronization process cannot be used for tailoring processes. Tailoring processes must be manually synchronized.

When creating descriptors like Task Descriptor, Role Descriptor, or Work Product Descriptor in an auto-synchronized process, a local copy of the attributes and relationships for those descriptors that are inherited from linked method elements are not created. Instead, when the process is being realized, the attributes and relationships from the linked elements are pulled in directly and combined with descriptor-specific data.

You can modify the following properties of descriptors:

Text attributes: Replace
Relationship attributes: Exclude or Include associations that are inherited from the linked method elements
Relationship attributes: Add or Remove the associations you make locally on the descriptors

In the Properties view, the attributes that cannot be customized are disabled. In the auto-synchronized process, the Synchronized with source check box is removed from the Properties view. In addition, the Default Synchronization form Method Content and Custom Synchronization menu options are removed.

When the Name and Presentation name in the Properties view are modified during publishing, the modified versions are used. To revert to the original name, click Restore. The name is reverted to the content from the method element.

Converting a library to an auto synchronization process

Select Window > Preferences.
Expand Method > Authoring and click Process Editor.
Under Synchronization for opened library, select Use auto synchronization for all processes.
Click OK to confirm the conversion. Click OK to close the Preferences window.
Important: If the open library has already been converted to an auto synchronization process, the check box is selected and disabled. That means you cannot convert an auto synchronization process back to a required synchronization process.

Creating an automatically synchronized process library

Click File > New > Method Library.
Browse or type in a location for your method library.
Add a description in the Description field.
Select the check box for Use auto synchronization for all processes.

Note: When you upgrade to this release of Engineering Method Composer from a previous version, you are prompted to convert your existing library to an auto-synchronized library. Select the check box if you want to convert your existing library to an auto-synchronized library. It is a good practice to make a copy of your existing library before conversion.

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