Understanding Synchronization Templates

Synchronizing data between PeopleSoft Program Management and Primavera P6 can only be initiated from PeopleSoft.

Synchronization templates are primarily used for existing projects. When synchronizing net new projects, the system does not refer to a synchronization template to determine the objects selected for export or import. However, when importing net new projects, the synchronization template is used to determine the WBS level to import. In addition, when exporting net new projects, the synchronization template is used to determine the type of resource to export when the Project Team check box is selected on the Synchronize Net New Projects run control page.

When synchronizing existing projects, synchronization templates determine the type and direction of information that will be imported from Primavera P6 to Program Management, and exported from Program Management to Primavera P6.

A synchronization template is required to be set up as a default for the business unit on the Project Costing Options – Primavera page. This ensures that all projects that are created for that business unit have a synchronization template. The synchronization template can be changed or modified for a project on the General Information – Primavera page.

The synchronization template determines the direction of synchronization for specific objects such as the project header or the work breakdown structure (WBS). This allows you to synchronize multiple projects at the same time, even though the direction of information is different from one project to the next. This also enables you to view a project and determine the source of truth for the project. In addition, more than one project can use the same template. Therefore, if you are going to change a template, you may want to consider creating a new template to ensure that you are not affecting another project.

You can change the direction in which information is transferred between PeopleSoft and Primavera P6 by modifying the synchronization template for the project, or by creating a new synchronization template and assigning it to the project. However, use caution when modifying project templates. A single source of truth for a project should exist for each object type. Therefore, when modifying the synchronization template for a project, ensure that the source of truth for an object does not change or that it is being done deliberately. If the source of truth is changed, then the system may overwrite data that was previously synchronized.