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Daves Tips 24: Reflection Projects

Primavera P6 Version 7 and 8.x (Client / Server)
INTRODUCTION
What is a Reflection?
A reflection is a copy of a project that has the following characteristics:
1.
2.
3.

Has the same name as the original source project with reflection appended to it.
Internally, contains a link to the source project that allows the application to merge changes
to the reflection into the source project.
Has a what-if status.

After creating a reflection, you can make changes to it. If desired, you can then merge selected
changes back into the source project keeping active data in the source project intact. Creating a
reflection facilitates the following work flows and processes:

Creating a sandbox area to test different project scenarios.

Reviewing changes made by team members to activities they own in a reflection. Using the
reflection as an intermediary project lets you review and accept changes before merging the
reflection back into the source project.
Reviewing changes to a project by exporting a reflection as an .XER file. You can send the
.XER file to outside users who can import the file into their database. After making changes
to the project, the outside users can export the file and send the resulting .XER file back to
you. By importing the .XER file back into your reflection, you can decide which changes to
keep when you merge the reflection back into the source project.

This tip will provide an insight into reflection projects and step by step instructions in using
reflection functionality.

ASSUMPTIONS
The user is using Primavera P6 Version 7 or higher (client / server functionality).
Reflection project functionality is only available within the P6 client / server tool (for P6 Release
8.x, this component is known as P6 Optional Client or P6 Professional)
Creating and Using Reflections
Follow this procedure to create and use reflections.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

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Create a reflection.
Make changes to the reflection.
Preview the changes to the project.
If desired, print a report of the changes to the project.
Merge selected changes into the source project.

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1. Create a reflection

Fig 1.0 creating a reflection

In the Projects view, select the project for which you want to create a reflection, click the right
mouse button and select Create Reflection (see Fig 1.0)
You will now see the Reflection project (see Fig 1.1). It is automatically set to status "What-if".
The Project ID will be suffixed with -1 and the name of the project is suffixed with the word
Reflection.
This project can be exported using standard import/export routine and can be sent to a
contractor or maybe another user who wishes to make some changes.

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Fig 1.1 Reflection project created

2. Make Changes to the Reflection
3. Preview the changes to the project.
Let's assume the contractor has received the file, made some changes to the plan and sent the
file back. Instead of just simply importing the project back into your EPS and maybe overwriting
existing information, you can use the reflection process to review and accept or reject changes
before merging back into the source project.
In the following example, only a few minor changes have been made, for example changing an
activity description, increasing duration of an activity and adding a resource.
4. If desired, print a report of the changes to the project
The Preview Changes to Project dialog box provides a print function that allows you to print a
report that lists the differences between the reflection and the source project.
5. Merge the reflection back to the source project
Highlight the reflection project, click the right mouse button and select Merge Reflection into
Source Project (see Fig 1.2)

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Fig 1.2 merging the reflection back to source project

You will see a column with the values before merging and also a column to view the values after
merging (see Fig 1.3). You can simply accept all changes or clear the tick box for any changes you
want to reject.
There are various options that you can choose both prior to and after the merge. Check these
carefully before you click Merge Changes.
There is no UNDO feature so you may want to print this screen for audit purposes.

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Fig 1.3 Preview changes

Notes:
The Merge Reflection into Source Project context menu will only be available when selecting a
reflection to which you have superuser access. You will also need superuser access to the source
project associated with the reflection. Additionally, the source project cannot be opened
exclusively by another user nor can it be checked out.
Changes you make to the following fields in a reflection project will result in new entries being
added to the source project when you merge a reflection into the source project: Project ID,
Activity ID, Resource ID, Role ID, Cost Account, and Price/Unit. For example, assume that the
source project contains an activity with an Activity ID of A1000. After creating a reflection, you
change the Activity ID from A1000 to A1005 in the reflection project. Then, when you merge the
reflection project into the source project, the source project now contains two activities, A1000
and A1005, which are identical except for the Activity ID.

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RPC UK Limited
1 The Courtyard,
Hawksworth Est., Thorpe Lane,
Guiseley, Leeds, LS20 8LG

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0870 432 8424
enquiries@rpc.uk.com
www.rpc.uk.com

Frequently Asked Questions about Reflections

Q. Can I view the link in the reflection to the source project?
A. Yes. Use the following procedure to view the link
1.
2.

From the Enterprise menu, select Projects.

From the View menu, select Columns, then select Customize.

3.

In the General section of the Available Options column, select Source Project and click
move the Source Project field into the Selected Options column.

4.
5.

If desired, use the

and
buttons to move the field's position.
Click OK. The system responds by displaying the name of the Project ID in the Source Project
field of reflection projects. Note that this field is read-only.

to

Q. Can I have multiple reflections pointing to the same source project?

A. Yes.
Q. What happens to the reflection when I delete the source project?
A. The link is deleted from the source project field in the reflection.
Q. Why don't I see the Create Reflection menu option when I right click on a project?
A. The right click option is hidden when any of the following is true:

A group band node is selected

More than one project is selected
A summary only project is selected
An MSP managed project is selected

Q. Why is the Create Reflection menu option disabled when I right click on a project?
A. The Create Reflection menu option is disabled when you do not have access to create projects
within the EPS node.
Q. Why don't I see the Merge Reflection into Source Project menu option when I right click on a
reflection project?
A. The right click option is hidden when any of the following is true:

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A group band node is selected

More than one project is selected
A non-reflection project is selected (i.e. the project does not contain a
source project field value)

RPC UK Limited
1 The Courtyard,
Hawksworth Est., Thorpe Lane,
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www.rpc.uk.com

The selected project contains a source project field value, but it does not have a what-if
status
The selected project has a what-if status but it does not contain a source project field value

Q. Why is the Merge Reflection into Source Project disabled?

A. The right click option is disabled when any of the following is true:

The source project has been checked out

The source project and/or the reflection has been opened exclusively by another user
You do not have super user privileges to both the source project and the reflection

Q. What happens when there are duplicate records for resources?

A. The resources will not be updated. You will have to update the resources in the source project
manually.
Q. What happens if the merge fails?
A. The system responds with a message that the merge process failed, creating the
prmReflectionMerge.log file in the temporary directory, and notifying of log file's location.
Q. How are changes to dates handled?
A. Scheduling related date fields are not shown in the preview but may be updated upon merging
changes.
Q. How are baselines handled when the "Replace reflection" option is used?
A. The new reflection will be created with the same baselines that were in the original reflection.

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