Managing projects

Projects are constructs that contain requests, which, in turn, contain steps and procedures. You can define different types of projects and can assign various categories to your projects. A request can be executed as part of an activity, which, in turn, refers to a project. You can customize the fields available under a project category using a Common Separated Value (CSV) file. A CSV file is used for anything that requires the transfer of formatted data between two systems.

For more information about requests, see Managing-requests.

• • To create or edit a project
  • To create a request under a project
  • To consolidate requests within a project
  • To add notes to a project
  • To add steps in a request

To create or edit a project

1. In BMC Release Process Management, click the Projects tab.
2. To create a new project, click Create Projects on the right. To edit an existing project, skip to step 7.
3. Select your required project category from the list the Project Category field.
4. Enter a unique name for your project in the Name field. 
5. Define the following additional project settings:
   • Project manager
   • Leading group
   • Planned start date
   • Planned end date
   • Shortcuts to the project (for example, a URL for access the project)
   • Assets attached to the project. You can attach multiple files of various types, such as PDF or text files.
6. Click Create Project.
7. To further edit project settings
   1. On the Projects tab, click the project name.
   2. Modify any of the settings that you defined in step 5 or any of the following additional settings:
      • Health — Indicates if your project is on target. Select the relevant icon — OK, Warning, or Alarm.
      • Status of the project — select a status from the list.
   3. Click Update.

To create a request under a project

1. On Projects tab, click the relevant project.
2. Click the Requests tab within the specific project.
3. Click Create Request.
4. Define request settings. Request settings are divided into the following categories: Core Attributes, Extended Attributes, and Scheduling and Estimation.
5. Ensure that you have selected the right project from the project list in the Project drop down field under the Extended Attributes list. Not doing that is going to create the request under a different project.
6. Click Create Request.

To consolidate requests within a project

Consolidating a request means that two or more interdependent requests are converted into one. By consolidating interdependent requests, you can simplify the monitoring of the tasks.

1. Select the project on the Projects tab.
2. Click the Requests tab within the specific project.
3. Select the check boxes of the requests that you want to consolidate.
4. Click Consolidate Requests. After you click Consolidate Requests, the requests get combined. The steps from all the requests get merged into this newly created request.

To add notes to a project

You are able to enter notes for the project. These notes help you and your team to keep a record about the details of the project and the consolidation made.

1. After you have clicked open your required project, click the Notes tab.
2. Enter your notes in the notes text box.
3. Click Update.

To add steps in a request

1. Select the project on the Projects tab.
2. Click the Requests tab within the specific project.
3. Click the relevant request.
4. Click add step.
5. Define step attributes, including (for example) the assigned user and time scheduling.
6. To continue adding steps, click Save and Add New. When you have finished adding all steps, click Save Step.

You may also see the topics To create a procedure  and To organize steps and procedures in a request under Managing-procedures.