wcadmin adding old describing document back into part on update

[KS_13883962]

Hi PTC community.

We’ve recently discovered a behavior of the wcadmin user related to Describe by document update.

1. We created a Doc Part NMBP-G1 with Releasable Describe by document NMBP-ICT for its first version.

2. Upon release, it has the “NMBP-ICT” releasable document and a Releasable Report (parts list) linked to it. This is normal behaviour and what we expect to see.

3. Then I revised the Doc Part NMBP-G1 to version 2.2 via a CN and replaced the “NMBP-ICT” document with a “NMBP-SVD” document as the describe by document.

4. Then This Rev 2.2 of the Doc Part NMBP-G1 and “NMBP-SVD” document were then released.

5. For some reason, We updated the previous describe by document NMBP-ICT and released on a separate CN. Upon release of Rev 2 of the “NMBP-ICT” document, wcadmin user adds the Rev 2 “ICT” document back in as a describe by document automatically to the original Doc part NMBP-G1 without notification. and also rev up the Doc part to version 2.3.

The history of the Part shows "Describe-by link auto update" .

This is issue for us. We want windchill to stop doing this. or at-least send notification to the subscriber of the part. I hope I have explained the issue. I cant provide the full snap shots because of security reason. 

Regards,

Khalid Shamim

[Fadel]

so the need to add a described by to a part without iterating ?

[KS_13883962]

Thanks Fedel. 

Adding old "describe by document" to Parent part is the issue. as I explained above. Windchill admin added it without notification. so the owner of the Parent part doesn't know a describe by doc has been added. 

[HelesicPetr]

Hi @KS_13883962 

I can see that the iteration comment is Describe By link auto update.

I haven't seen this behavior OOTB yet that system ootb writes any comment to the iteration.

So my question is: do you have any customization that do this for you or is it OOTB behavior that I do not know?

PetrH

[KS_13883962]

Hi HelesicPetr,

This appears to be out-of-the-box (OOTB) behavior, which I’m generally fine with, unless WCadmin is triggering notifications or email subscriptions to inform the Part owner.

I would like to know where I can adjust this setting or disable it entirely.

[HelesicPetr · Accepted solution]

Hi @KS_13883962 

No it is not OOTB behavior.

I test it. If I release the revised doc2 that is not part of the last wtpart iteration, the describe by link is not autocreated to the newest one. 

DOC1 linked to the old revision

In the WTPart version B.1 I removed DOC1 and added DOC2 

everything has been released. 

latest WTPart with only manually added document

first document was also revised to new revision and released by an ECN

Then I revise the DOC 1 and release new revision. The latest iteration of the WTPart is without any system admin change. 

WTP history table

\

Conclusion your system could contains some customization to do what you described.  

PetrH

[Fadel]

Maybe below preference causes different behavior : 

[HelesicPetr]

Hi @Fadel 

This configuration just allow you to add any type of document as a Reference document. Also you can add reference type document to the describe by. 

But it does not create new describe link to the new Document revision if you revise document separately and the document is not in the latest iteration of WTPart.  

Changing the property does not change the behavior. 

PetrH

[KS_13883962]

Hi PetrH,

Thanks for the response and efforts. Yes, you are right. this is not OOTB functionality. I did some more research and found the WTPartDescribeLink. this property initiate link between Part and associated describe-by document.

In my case. this was set to YES, which means WTPartDescribeLink updates the Part master every time describe-by doc updated. I changed it to "NO" and it fixed the issue. This is amazing. it also gave me conceptual understanding of how part link logic is working in background.

I am Glad and thankful to you and Fedel. This is wonderful forum.

Thanks again.

[HelesicPetr]

Hi @KS_13883962 

I am glad to help. 

It is good to know that exists this preference option. I did not know it but every day is good day to learn something new 😄 

Thanks for your feedback. 

PetrH

[avillanueva]

When you mean OOTB functionality, do you mean this preference was added? I cannot find it. The image is cut off which section that preference is in.

[HelesicPetr]

Hi @avillanueva 

Good point. It seams that the screen shot shows us customized preferences that are not in the OOTB Windchill system. 

PetrH

[KS_13883962]

Hi Avillanueva,

OOTB (out of the box) functionality. In my case, this property "WTPartDescribeLink" was defined intentionally by CMDM. you can find windchill preferences at SITE>UTILITIES>Business Administration>Preference Management. Thanks