Configure structures with revision rules

You can use object revisions to manage changes to a product structure.

An object revision defines the state of an object at a particular time. When the object moves to a new life cycle stage, you set a status and effectivity on the revision and create a new working revision.

If an object revision has no status (for example, the revision is released), you can change it directly. However, after an object revision has a status, you must create a new revision or object to change it.

Changes that may require a new revision include:

• Adding or removing subcomponents.

• Changing encapsulated data (referenced files such as images) and the properties that describe the object.

Note

For some types of changes, it is preferable to create a new object instead of revising the old one.

You apply the appropriate revision rule to set the configuration of the plant bill of process (BOP) structure for a specific time. A revision rule consists of any number of rule entries. Each entry defines a parameter that determines which revision of each object in the structure should display.

Note

You cannot view multiple revisions at the same time in one view. If you want to see another configuration, you must apply a different revision rule in another view.

A revision rule sets the criteria for selecting the revision. For example, the revision rule:

• Selects working revisions and, optionally, specifies the owning user or group.

• Selects released revisions by specific status, according to a status hierarchy or latest status (by date released).

• Optionally, specifies the date or unit number effectivity of the revisions.

• Selects the latest revisions according to the revision ID, by alphanumeric or numeric order, or by creation date. This selection is independent of whether revisions are working or released.