Lifecycle Task Maintenance

Menu Path: Product Lifecycle Management $Images\bluerarw.gif$ Module Setup $Images\bluerarw.gif$ Lifecycle Task Maintenance

Purpose

Set up tasks for product lifecycle management.

Overview

Use Lifecycle Task Maintenance to create, edit, and delete product lifecycle management tasks. You can create tasks for any action or specific data required for a process. You can also create tabs and sections, which control the appearance of the data entry window users see when entering data for tasks. For information on creating tasks, see Creating Product Lifecycle Management Tasks. For information on creating tasks used to create new products, see Creating Products in the Product Lifecycle Management Module.

Ribbon Home Tab Buttons

Button	Description
Exit	Click this button to close the Lifecycle Task Maintenance window.
New Task	Click this button to create a new product lifecycle management task.
New Section	Click this button to create a new section of related data. Other tasks can be assigned to the section for data entry.
New Tabpage	Click this button to create a new tab for data entry.
Update	Click this button to update the selected product lifecycle management task.
Delete	Click this button to delete the selected product lifecycle management task. You cannot delete a task that is used in a workflow definition, an open workflow, or a formula for a calculated task.
OK	Click this button to accept an action. This button is only available after you click the New, Update, or Delete button in the ribbon.
Cancel	Click this button to cancel an action. This button is only available after you click the New, Update, or Delete button in the ribbon.
First	Click this button to display the first product lifecycle management task.
Prev	Click this button to display the previous product lifecycle management task.
Next	Click this button to display the next product lifecycle management task.
Last	Click this button to display the last product lifecycle management task.
Label Maintenance	Click this button to display Label Maintenance, which allows you to maintain task name labels. This button is only available if you are creating or updating a task, section, or tab.
Data Mapping	Click this button to display Data Mapping, which allows you to map a product project task to product data, or a product project user-defined grid task column to product unit of measure data. This button is only available for tasks with a workflow type of Product Project and a workflow level of Product. Also, if you are creating a user-defined grid task, this button is only available if you click the Grid Columns tab.
Attachments	Click this button to display Attachment Entry, which allows you to view and enter attachments for a selected product lifecycle management task.
Notes	Click this button to display Notes Entry, which allows you to view and enter notes for a selected product lifecycle management task.
Ribbon Links	Click this button to display Ribbon Link Maintenance, which allows you to set up ribbon buttons so users can launch programs when a tab is displayed. This button is only available if a tab is selected. Note You must be creating or editing a tab when you click this button if you want to add or remove ribbon buttons. The icon for this button includes a check mark if ribbon links are set up for the selected tab.

Fields and Buttons

Field or Button	Description
Workflow Type	Enter a workflow type for the task, or click the Lookup button to select a workflow type.
Workflow Level	Enter a workflow level for the task, or click the Lookup button to select a workflow level. The available levels are based on the selected workflow type.
Task Name	Enter a unique name for the task, or click the Lookup button to select an existing task name. The name is used as the label in the data entry window.
Label Code	Enter a label code associated with the task name, or click the Lookup button to select a label code. You can use label codes to maintain task names in multiple languages if you want labels for tasks to appear in multiple languages during workflow data entry.
Sequence	Enter a display sequence number for the task, or click the Lookup button to select an existing sequence number.

Main Tab Fields and Buttons

Field or Button	Description
Detailed Description	Enter a detailed description of the task. This field defaults to the task name.
Mapped Field	This field displays the record and field to which the task is mapped. This field is only available after you map the task to a field in Data Mapping.
Location	Enter the location prefix associated with the tab or section, or click the Lookup button to select a location prefix. This field is only available for tabs and sections, and if Product is selected for both the Workflow Type and Workflow Level fields. The selected location is used to import data from tasks in the tab or section to a product/location record. If no location is selected, data from tasks in the tab or section can be imported to a product record. For more information, see Updating Products in the Product Lifecycle Management Module.
Name	Enter the location name associated with the tab or section, or click the Lookup button to select a location name. This field is only available for tabs and sections, and if Product is selected for both the Workflow Type and Workflow Level fields. The selected location is used to import data from tasks in the tab or section to a product/location record. If no location is selected, data from tasks in the tab or section can be imported to a product record. For more information, see Updating Products in the Product Lifecycle Management Module.
Status	Select the status of the task. You can select one of the following statuses: Active - The task is active and can be included in workflow definitions. Setup - The task is set up, but not yet active. The task cannot be included in workflow definitions. Discontinued - The task is discontinued and cannot be included in workflow definitions. Note If a task is used in an active workflow definition, you cannot change the task status to Setup or Discontinued.
Section / Tabpage	Enter the name of the section or tab on which to display a data entry field for the task, or click the Lookup button to select a section or tab. This field is not available for tabs. Note You must create sections or tabs before you can enter values in this field for other tasks.
Default Team	Enter the default product lifecycle management team for the task, or click the Lookup button to select the default product lifecycle management team. This field defaults to the default product lifecycle management team. For information on setting up product lifecycle management teams, see Lifecycle Team Maintenance.
Description	This field displays the description of the selected product lifecycle management team.
Security	Click the Lookup button to select a security level for the task. You can select one of the following security levels: Default - Inherit the default security level for the tab or section in which the task is included. This option is selected by default. If this option is selected for a tab and a task on the tab (or a task on a section on the tab), all users can view the task, but only users from an assigned team can update the task. Hide - Hide the task from all users except for users from an assigned team. Update - Allow all users to view and update the task. View - Allow all users to view the task, but only allow users from an assigned team to update the task. Additionally, you can set up team-specific security for tasks, sections, and tabs on the Security tab. Team-specific security for tasks overrides any inherited security. For more information on setting up task security, see Using Product Lifecycle Management.
Update Field	Click the Lookup button to select the product or product/location field that is updated when the task is completed. This field is only available if Product is selected for both the Workflow Type and Workflow Level fields, a section or tab is selected for the task, and the Field radio button is selected in the Type radio set. For more information, see Updating Products in the Product Lifecycle Management Module.
Product/Product Location	The selected radio button indicates whether the task is used to update data for products or products/locations. The settings for the selected tab or section for the task control this setting. This radio set is only available if Product is selected for both the Workflow Type and Workflow Level fields, a section or tab is selected for the task, and the Field radio button is selected in the Type radio set. For more information, see Updating Products in the Product Lifecycle Management Module.
Can Be Skipped	Select this check box if the task is not required and can be skipped. You should clear this check box for essential tasks that must be performed. If you select this check box, the task appears in gray in Lifecycle Definition Designer to indicate it can be skipped, but this can be overridden for a specific workflow definition. If you mapped a field to the task or you are creating a logical task, this check box is disabled.
Hidden	Select this check box to hide the field for the task during workflow data entry.
Data Entry Column	Select this check box if you want the task to appear as a column in the grid in Lifecycle Data Entry Management for workflows that include the task. This check box is cleared by default.
Group Tasks	Select this check box to enable Simplified mode by default for the section or tab in Lifecycle Definition Designer. This check box is selected by default, and is only available for sections and tabs. For information on Simplified mode, see Using Lifecycle Definition Designer.
Detailed Alerts	Select this check box if you want users to receive alerts that specify the task details when the task is assigned. If this check box is cleared, users only receive a generic alert when the task is assigned, which indicates they have work to perform. This check box is cleared by default.
Automatically Assign User	Select this check box to automatically assign the task to the user that launches the workflow in which the task is included (if the user is a member of the team assigned to the task).
Mark Task Completed After Import	Select this check box to automatically mark the task completed after importing data for it in Lifecycle Entry Import. This check box is only available if the Field radio button is selected for the Type radio set.
Default from Product Project	Select this check box to default data for the task from the product project for the workflow. This check box is only available if the task is mapped to the Product Code, Product Name, or Product Description fields in Data Mapping.
Type	Select one of the following types of tasks: Field - This task allows users to enter data in a field. Grid - The task allows users to enter data in a grid. If you select this format, the Grid Columns tab appears and allows you to set up the grid. Grids can be user-defined or used for creating product records from product data entered for a workflow. Operation - This is used to create a ribbon button for creating product records from product data entered for a workflow. For more information on creating product records from product data entered for a workflow, see Creating Products in the Product Lifecycle Management Module. This radio set is disabled if a field is selected for the Update Field field.
Constant	Select this check box if the field is a specific value, and cannot be entered by users.
Const. Value	Enter a constant value, or click the Lookup button (if available) to select a constant value. This field is only available if you select the Constant check box.
Format/Grid Mode/Table	If you selected the Field radio button for the Type radio set, click the Lookup button to select one of the following formats for the task: Character - The task allows users to enter data as both letters and numbers. Date - The task allows users to enter a date. Decimal - The task allows users to enter a decimal value. File Path - The task allows users to enter a folder path to a file, or click a Lookup button and select a file. The task also has an Open button, which allows users to open a file associated with the task. Integer - The task allows users to enter an integer value. Logical - The task allows users to enter a value of Yes or No by selecting or clearing a check box. Text - The task allows users to enter data as both letters and numbers. This task is similar to a character format task. However, it allows users to enter more information, and this type of task cannot be validated. If you selected the Grid radio button for the Type radio set, and you want to create a grid for entering product data, click the Lookup button to select the data you want users to enter in the grid. If you selected the Operation radio button in the Type radio set, click the Lookup button and select the records users will create by clicking the ribbon button associated with the operation. If you are editing a previously created task, you can only change the value for this field if the task is not included in a workflow. If you mapped a field to the task, this field is disabled. Note If you create a new section or tab, this field displays Section or Tabpage, and cannot be changed. This field is disabled if a field is selected for the Update Field field. If you want to change the format for an existing task, select a blank value for the Update Field field.
Width	Enter the width (in characters) of the field displayed for a character format task. This field is only available if you select Character for the Format field. If you mapped a field to the task, this value defaults based on the mapped field. You can change the value, but it cannot be greater than the value for the mapped field. This field is disabled if a field is selected for the Update Field field.
Decimal Places	Enter the number of decimal places for data for a decimal format task. This field is only available if you select Decimal for the Format field.
Integer Places	Enter the number of digits (not including decimal places) for data for an integer or decimal format task. This field is only available if you select Integer or Decimal for the Format field.
Use Thousands Separators	Select this check box to use separator characters (commas, periods, etc.) between thousands for an integer or decimal format task. This field is only available if you select Integer or Decimal for the Format field.
Function	Select one of the following options: Import and Maintain - Create product records and display Product Maintenance. Import and Inquiry - Create product records and display Product Inquiry. Import File - Create product records only. This radio set is only available if you select the Operation radio button for the Type radio set.
Calculation Column	Select this check box if the task is a calculated value based on a formula. If you select this check box, users will not perform data entry for the task. Instead, the value for the task is automatically calculated. This check box is only available for integer and decimal tasks.
Calculation Formula ID	Enter a unique identifier for a task if you want to use the task in a formula for a calculated task. The calculation formula ID cannot include spaces or special characters. This field is only available for integer and decimal tasks.
Calculation	Enter the formula used to calculate the value for the task. This field is only available if the Calculation Column check box is selected for the task. The formula should include references to the calculation formula ID of other tasks and can use the following operators: + - / * AND OR > < <= >= = <> You can also use parenthesis in the statement. Example If a task is set up with a calculation formula ID of Cost and another task is set up with a calculation formula ID of Price, you can create a third task, which is a calculated task that displays profit, and enter the following formula in this field for it: Price-Cost.
Calculation Tasks	This grid displays tasks that are assigned a calculation formula ID. You can use the information in this grid when entering a formula in the Calculation field. This grid is only available if the Calculation Column check box is selected for the task.

Validation Tab Fields and Buttons

Note This tab is used to set up data validation for tasks and is not available for sections, tabs, grids, or operations.

Field or Button	Description
Uses Sanity Check	Select this check box if you want to ensure that data entered for the task is within a range of acceptable values. This check box is only enabled if you select Character, Date, Decimal, or Integer for the Format field on the Main tab.
Start	Enter the first value in a range of values for the sanity check. For date format tasks, you can click the Lookup buttons to select the date, and a +/- symbol, and then enter an acceptable deviation from the date. Example Today + 2 This field is only enabled if you select the Uses Sanity Check check box.
End	Enter the last value in a range of values for the sanity check. For date format tasks, you can click the Lookup buttons to select the date, and a +/- symbol, and then enter an acceptable deviation from the date. Example Today + 2 This field is only enabled if you select the Uses Sanity Check check box.
Use Validation	Select this check box if you want to validate data for the task. This check box is only enabled if you select Character, Decimal, Integer, or Logical for the Format field on the Main tab. If you mapped a field to the task, this check box is disabled, and selected or cleared based on the requirements of the mapped field.
Validate from List	Select this check box if you want to validate data for the task from a list of valid values. This check box is only enabled if you select the Use Validation check box. If you select this check box, click the List button to set up the valid values for the task. If you mapped a field to the task, this check box is disabled, and selected or cleared based on the requirements of the mapped field.
List	Click this button to display Lifecycle Task Validation Maintenance, which allows you to set up a list of valid values for the selected task. This button is only enabled if you select the Validate from List check box.
Validation Field	Click the Lookup button to select specific data that you want to be used for the task if you want the software to validate the data. Example If the task involves users entering a product's dimensional unit of measure, you may want to select Dimensional U/M to ensure they only enter dimensional units of measure that are set up in the database. Note If you select a validation field, a related field may also appear in the data entry window for associated data, such as a name or description. For example, if the validation field is Currency for a task, the Symbol field appears to the right of the field for the task in Lifecycle Data Entry, and displays the currency symbol when a user enters a currency code. This field is only enabled if you select the Use Validation check box and clear the Validate from List check box, and if you select Character for the Format field on the Main tab. For a list of validation fields you can select, see Validation Fields.
Table Validation	This field displays the records that are valid values for the task if the task is mapped to a field with validation. This field is only available if you mapped a field to the task.
Related Field	Enter a field that is related to the field for the task, or click the Lookup button to select a related field. If a user enters data for a related field, the associated data is automatically entered for the field for the task. Example A task is created to store a product name, and a task that stores the product code is set up as the related field. If a user enters a product code for a workflow, the product name is entered automatically.

Security Tab Fields and Buttons

Field or Button	Description
Team	Enter a product lifecycle management team for which you want to set up security for the selected task, or click the Lookup button to select a product lifecycle management team. For information on setting up product lifecycle management teams, see Lifecycle Team Maintenance.
Team Name	This field displays the description of the selected product lifecycle management team.
Security	Click the Lookup button to select the security for the selected product lifecycle management team. You can select one of the following security levels: Hide - Hide the task from all users except for users from an assigned team. Update - Allow all users to view and update the task. View - Allow all users to view the task, but only allow users from an assigned team to update the task. Team-specific security for tasks overrides any inherited security. For more information on setting up task security, see Using Product Lifecycle Management.
Enter	Click this button to enter the selected product lifecycle management team in the Teams grid.
Remove	Click this button to remove the selected product lifecycle management team from the Teams grid.
Teams	This grid displays product lifecycle management team-specific security settings set up for the selected task. Double-click a team to edit the security setting for it.

Grid Columns Tab Fields and Buttons

Note This tab is used to set up the individual columns for a grid format task, and is only available if you select Grid for the Format field on the Main tab.

Field or Button	Description
Sequence	Enter a display sequence number for the grid column, such as 1 for the first column, 2 for the second column, etc.
Data Type	Click the Lookup button to select one of the following data types for the grid column: Character - The grid column allows users to enter data as both letters and numbers. Date - The grid column allows users to enter a date. Decimal - The grid column allows users to enter a decimal value. Integer - The grid column allows users to enter an integer value. Logical - The grid column allows users to enter a value of Yes or No by selecting or clearing a check box.
Width	Enter the width of the grid column (in characters). This field is only available if you select Character for the Data Type field.
Integer Places	Enter the number of digits (not including decimal places) for data for an integer or decimal format grid column. This field is only available if you select Integer or Decimal for the Data Type field.
Decimal Places	Enter the number of decimal places for data for a decimal format grid column. This field is only available if you select Decimal for the Data Type field.
Use Thousands Separators	Select this check box to use separator characters (commas, periods, etc.) between thousands for an integer or decimal format grid column. This field is only available if you select Integer or Decimal for the Data Type field.
Label	Enter the label that appears in the column header for the grid column. The label should identify the data contained in the column.
Enter	Click this button to enter the grid column in the Grid Columns grid.
Remove	Click this button to remove the selected column in the Grid Columns grid.
Default Rows	Click this button to display Default Rows, which allows you to set up default rows for grid format tasks.
Calculation Formula ID	Enter an identifier for the grid column if you want to use the column in a formula for a calculated column. The calculation formula ID cannot include spaces or special characters. This value must be unique for each grid, but you can use the same value for separate grids. This field is only available for integer and decimal grid columns.
Calculation Column	Select this check box if the grid column is a calculated value based on a formula. If you select this check box, users will not perform data entry for the grid column. Instead, the value for the grid column is automatically calculated. This check box is only available for integer and decimal grid columns.
Calculation	Enter the formula used to calculate the value for the grid column. This field is only available if the Calculation Column check box is selected for the grid column. The formula should include references to the calculation formula ID of other grid columns and/or tasks and can use the following operators: + - / * AND OR > < <= >= = <> You can also use parenthesis in the statement. Example If a grid column is set up with a calculation formula ID of Cost and another grid column is set up with a calculation formula ID of Price, you can create a third column, which is a calculated column that displays profit, and enter the following formula in this field for it: Price-Cost.
Use Validation	Select this check box if you want to validate data for the column. This check box is only enabled if you select Character, Decimal, or Integer for the Data Type field.
Validate from List	Select this check box if you want to validate data for the column from a list of valid values. This check box is only enabled if you select the Use Validation check box. If you select this check box, click the List button to set up the valid values for the column.
List	Click this button to display Lifecycle Task Validation Maintenance, which allows you to set up a list of valid values for the column. This button is only enabled if you select the Validate from List check box.
Validation Field	Click the Lookup button to select specific data that you want to be used for the grid column if you want the software to validate the data. Example If the grid column allows users to enter a product's dimensional unit of measure, you may want to select Dimensional U/M to ensure they only enter dimensional units of measure that are set up in the database. Note If you select a validation field, a related grid column may also appear in the data entry window for associated data, such as a name or description. For example, if the validation field is Currency for a grid column, the Symbol grid column appears to the right of the grid column for the task in Lifecycle Data Entry, and displays the currency symbol when a user enters a currency code. This field is only enabled if you select the Use Validation check box and clear the Validate from List check box, and if you select Character for the Data Type field. For a list of validation fields you can select, see Validation Fields.
Related Field	Enter a field that is related to the grid column, or click the Lookup button to select a related field. If a user enters data for a related field, the associated data is automatically entered for the grid column. Example A grid column is created to store a product name, and a task that stores the product code is set up as the related field. If a user enters a product code for a workflow, the product name is entered automatically.
Required	Select this check box to require data to be entered in the column.
Hidden	Select this check box to hide the column.
Grid Columns	This grid displays information about the columns for the grid format task. Double-click a row in the grid to edit a column. Note Each row in this grid represents a column record in the grid you are creating for the task.
	Click this button to move the selected grid column up in the Grid Columns grid. This moves the column to the left in the grid displayed when users perform the task.
	Click this button to move the selected grid column down in the Grid Columns grid. This moves the column to the right in the grid displayed when users perform the task.