Switching a project's template
This topic describes how to switch a project's template in Projex to update work items and configuration data.
Background
When your organization's delivery process changes or needs optimization, you can switch a project's template to adjust its configuration for new requirements. For more information, see Sync Project Template Configuration.
Switching a project's template
In Alibaba Cloud DevOps Projex, an administrator can go to > Project Template to select and use a new template.
In the Switch Project Template dialog box, click Use on the target template to apply it. The currently selected template is marked with a blue border and a checkmark.
When you select a template, your project data is mapped to the new template's configuration.
Project status and fields
Project status: If a current project status does not exist in the new template, you must map it to a new one.
Project fields: Fields from the new template are automatically added to your project. Existing project fields that are not in the new template are deleted. If a project field exists in the new template but has different option values, you must map the values.
The switch process can take from a few seconds to several minutes. Do not change project, work item, or template configuration data during this time. Making changes during this time can cause the switch to fail or result in data inconsistencies.
If no work items of a specific type exist in your current project, that work item type is deleted.
Rules configured on workflow steps are deleted when you switch templates.
Switching the template is irreversible, and work item data cannot be recovered after the switch is complete. Confirm all settings before you proceed.
Automation rules
If synchronization for automation rules is enabled in the new template, the rules are synchronized with the project.
If synchronization is disabled, the project's existing automation rules remain unchanged.
Notifications
The project's notification settings are automatically updated to match the new template's configuration.
Navigation
The project's navigation settings are automatically updated to match the new template's configuration.
Role permissions
Because changes to role permissions can affect member access, the project's existing role permission settings are preserved.
Work item types
If a work item type from your project does not exist in the new template and has no associated data, the type is automatically deleted.
If a work item type from your project does not exist in the new template but contains work item data, you can either map it to a type in the new template or choose to delete the type and all its associated work item data.
If a work item type from the new template does not exist in your project, it is automatically added.
For each original type that contains work item data, you must select a destination type from the Target Work Item Type drop-down list. After you complete all required mappings, you can click Next.
Workflow
If a work item status from your project also exists in the new template, no mapping is required.
If a work item status from your project does not exist in the new template, you must map it to a new status. This action updates the data in the affected work items.
If a work item status from the new template does not exist in your project, it is automatically added.
In the Workflow step, you must select a Target Status from the drop-down list for each original status in the status mapping table. Note: Any rules configured for workflow steps are deleted when you apply the new template.
Work item fields
If a project field of type single-select or multi-select text exists in the new template but has different option values, you must map the values. This action updates the data in the affected work items.
If a cascade field exists in the new template but has different option values, no mapping is performed, and the existing work item data is retained.
If a field from your project does not exist in the new template, it is treated as a custom project field. No mapping is required, and its data is retained.
If a field from the new template does not exist in your project, it is automatically added to the project's configuration.
Submitting the switch
The switch process takes a few minutes to complete, and the duration may vary based on the amount of data. During this time, avoid making any changes to data or configuration to prevent failure.
The page displays a warning: Because changes to role permissions can affect member access, the project's existing role permission settings are preserved. Work item data cannot be recovered after the template is switched.