Creating Project Link Data Import Files

Import project link data into Accolade using two specially named reference tables. The reference table pair begins with ACC_PLI_, which identifies the tables as reference tables that contain project link import data.

Note:  To import this type of data to Accolade, you must have the Process Designer, Project Importer, and Reference Table Manager user roles. To import a new version of an existing file, you must be assigned as the owner of the reference table file used for the import.

Follow these steps to import project links:

Accolade supports reference tables as spreadsheet, CSV, and XML files through the Reference Tables page, and through an auto-loader service. The information and examples provided are in spreadsheet format, contact Sopheon Customer Support for example files in additional formats.

Create a File That Contains the Project Link Data to Import (Data Table)

The data table contains the data to import to Accolade. Administrators and Process Designers add the initial versions of the ACC_PLI data table. The assigned table owner, which requires the Reference Table Manager user role, can add new versions of the table as needed.

Create the project links data table as a spreadsheet, CSV, or XML file, ensuring that the contents of the file meets the following requirements:

Component Requirements

File Name

Project link data must be in a file named ACC_PLI_<pair identifier>_Data, where <pair identifier> matches the <pair identifier> in the project links configuration table and is unique within Accolade. For example, ACC_PLI_BabyCare_Data.

Rows

Each row contains a different project link, and each project link exists in only one row.

Column Names and Position

Column headings are in the first row of the worksheet. You can name columns as you see fit for your installation.

The configuration table described below maps the columns in the data table to the respective fields in the Accolade database.

Data

The following columns and data are required for each project link:

  • Link System Name - The system name of the link type that this project link is based on. The HierarchyLinkDefault link type creates a project portfolio (adds child projects to a portfolio project). Importing this link type adds the Link To project (child) to the portfolio of the Link From project (parent). Additional link system names at your company can be found on the Link Type page (Process > Configuration > Link Types).
  • From Project Code - The Project Code displayed on the project header to identify the project the link points from (for hierarchy links, this is the code of the parent project). No special characters or spaces are allowed.
  • From Process Model Name - The name of the model of the project the link points from.
  • From Date - Required only for project links that use the Date - Date link type. The From Date can be any milestone on the project. Enter one of the following:
  • Milestone date metric - METRIC:<metric system name>
  • Project start date - MD:ProjectStartDate
  • Project end date - MD:ProjectEndDate
  • Gate - MD:ProjectNextGateDate, MD:ProjectPreviousGateDate, MD:ProjectFollowingGateDate, MD:ProjectGateDate-<gate number>, or METRIC:<metric system name>
  • To Project Code - The Project Code displayed on the project header to identify the project the link points to (for hierarchy links, this is the child project). No special characters or spaces are allowed.
  • To Process Model Name - The name of the model of the project the link points to.
  • To Date - Required only for project links that use the Date - Date link type. The To Date can be any milestone within a project. Enter one of the following:
  • Milestone date metric - METRIC:<metric system name>
  • Project start date - MD:ProjectStartDate
  • Project end date - MD:ProjectEndDate
  • Gate - MD:ProjectNextGateDate, MD:ProjectPreviousGateDate, MD:ProjectFollowingGateDate, MD:ProjectGateDate-<gate number>, or METRIC:<metric system name>

The projects identified in the From Project Code and To Project Code data columns must use process models that are selected for the link type identified in the Link System Name column. If the process models are not included in the link type definition, the import does not create the links.

 

The following columns and data are optional for each project link:

  • Delete Link - Enter Yes, Y, True, or 1 to delete the link. Enter 0 or leave blank to add or modify the link.
  • Comments - Enter a description of the link.
  • Rank - Sets the rank of the Link To project in the portfolio of the Link From project. Used when the Link System Name is HierarchyLinkDefault.

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Map the Project Link Data to the Accolade Database (Config Table)

The configuration table contains the data mapping information so Accolade knows what type of data to expect in the accompanying data file. Administrators and Process Designers add the initial versions of the ACC_PLI config table. The assigned table owner, which requires the Reference Table Manager user role, can add new versions of the table as needed.

Create the project links configuration table as a spreadsheet, CSV, or XML file, ensuring that the file meets the following requirements:

Component Requirements

File Name

The project link configuration must be in a file named ACC_PLI_<pair identifier>_Config, where the <pair identifier> matches the project link data file and is unique within Accolade. For example, ACC_PLI_BabyCare_Config.

Rows

Each row maps a column in the data table to a specific type of project data.

Column Names and Position

The project links configuration must have the following column names, from left to right as listed below:

  • Export Column Name - Enter each column heading that is included in the data table.
  • Metadata Name - Enter the metadata name below that identifies the data included is in each column in the data table.

Accolade Metadata Names

Use the following metadata names in the Metadata Name column of the configuration table to map the data to the appropriate locations in the Accolade database:

  • LinkSystemName
  • FromProjectCode
  • FromProcessModelName
  • ToProjectCode
  • ToProcessModelName
  • Date1
  • Date2
  • DeleteLink
  • Comments
  • Rank

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