You can store data mined from sources outside of PPM so that it can be used by the application.
PPM uses data transforms to get data from outside sources, such as MS Project, Excel, and so on. For example, you may require information about the current task of an item, and how many people are working on it. Data transforms automate the data mining process, and enable the "digestion" of much larger amounts of data than could be collected by manual processes.
In order for PPM to be able to use the extracted data, it must be stored in the database in a way that the system can recognize. Database tables must be set up as follows:
- Tables must be named in the following format: PSRAW_<name>. All tables must begin with PSRAW. For example, if you are importing information from MS Project, the table can be named PSRAW_MSPROJECT.
- Tables must contain the following three columns:
- PORTFOLIO_ID, with an integer data type, or
PORTFOLIO_NAME, with a character type.
This column holds the ID or name of each portfolio into which data is to be imported. - TIMESTAMP, with a date-time data type. This column contains the time that the data was entered into the row of the table.
- AS_OF, with a date-time data type. Indicates the time and date from which the entered data is valid.
Note: The time until which the data is valid is determined by the category schedule.
- For phase category data import, creation of a dedicated PSRAW_PHASES table is required. This table should contain either PHASE_ID (integer data type) or PHASE_NAME (character data type) column, along with the abovementioned TIMESTAMP and PORTFOLIO_ID / PORTFOLIO_NAME mandatory columns (AS_OF isn't required).
Note: For phase data import, only certain data columns can be added: START_DATE_PLN (Planned Start Date - Date-time type); END_DATE_PLN (Planned End Date - Date-time type); START_DATE_ACT (Actual Start Date - Date-time type); END_DATE_ACT (Actual End Date - Date-time type); START_DATE_REV (Forecast Start Date - Date-time type); END_DATE_REV (Forecast End Date - Date-time type); PART_COMPLETE (% Complete - Integer type); HEALTH (Phase Health - Integer type); ANNOTATION (Phase Annotation - Character type);
The AS_OF data column cannot be used with phase data import.
- PORTFOLIO_ID, with an integer data type, or
The remaining table columns contain the information for the portfolio.
Each table in the database can be related to a category. The relationship is one-to-many, so it is possible to have multiple categories pointing to a single column, enabling the input of data from the database into the category.
Once the database tables are defined, you are ready to define an import method in the Data Source dialog box of the Category Wizard, as described in Data Source Dialog Box.
Note: The list of tables in the Data Source dialog box does not include the predefined columns, and that the list of columns includes only those of the same data type as the category.
After the import method is defined in the Category Wizard, the set-up process is complete. The Midnight Process automatically updates the data.
Note: The import method can also be activated at any time from the Admin utility. For more information on working with the Admin utility, refer to Administration.