To prepare a shell for use in Primavera Unifier:

The uDesigner user:

The Primavera Unifier administrator:

Creates the shell types

Examples:

Buildings

Regions

Properties

  • Imports the shell types and organizes them into hierarchies. For example:

Regions

|

Properties

|

Buildings

  • Creates shell instances
  • Specifies what functions and features will be included in the shell, such as a cost manager (standard or generic), Resource Manager, Schedule Manager, etc.

How does a Configurable Shell differ from a Standard Project?

For users familiar with "projects" in Primavera Unifier, shells work in a similar manner. The difference is that a shell is not required to function like a time-based project. A shell can encompass a static entity, such as a university campus, where maintenance activities are on-going.

Primavera Unifier projects are now referred to as "standard" projects, and are listed under a "Projects" tab at the top of the window.

Here is a comparison of standard projects and shells:

Standard Project

Configurable Shell

Designed for capital construction projects, where costs are monitored using CBS codes and there are defined start and end dates for projects.

Designed for on-going management of any entity, from a project, to maintenance, to leasing requirements. Management in these shells is not necessarily time-limited.

Must use the Standard Cost Manager, where costs are managed using CBS codes.

Can use either the Standard Cost Manager (CBS based) or a Generic Cost Manager.

Uses Primavera Unifier's Program features to group and manage projects; no hierarchy function.

Uses shell hierarchies to group and manage projects, maintenance functions, leases, or any other type of entity.

Projects are created entirely in Primavera Unifier.

Shells are designed in uDesigner and configured into hierarchies in Primavera Unifier.

Shell "Types," Shell "Instances," and Sub-Shells

Shell types are designed in uDesigner. A shell type could be "Building" or "Country.

Shell instances are created in Primavera Unifier and are based on a shell type. Instances of a Building shell type could be different buildings, such as "Olympic Stadium", "Eiffel Tower," or "Taj Mahal." Country instances could be "China," "India," or "France."

Sub-shells do not occur until the administrator builds the shell hierarchy in Primavera Unifier. Then shell types can be arranged in shell—sub-shell relationships, such as Country—Building. The Country shell would list China, India, and France. The Building sub-shell would list Eiffel Tower, Olympic Stadium, and Taj Mahal.


Last Published Wednesday, October 15, 2025