Update from Source

The Update from Source window allows you to compare the currently selected descendant record to its source record and, if the source record has changed, to apply corresponding changes to the descendant record. To open this window, right-click the association status icon in the Ancestry - Source Record column of the FMEA hierarchy and choose Update from Source.

This window compares the current state of the source record and descendant record, so it may have available changes even when the association status icon is green, if a change notification has previously been dismissed without making changes.

Note: In projects using sub-severity ratings, only overall severity ratings are considered in this window.

Record Properties Comparison

The Record Properties Comparison table shows the fields that were transferred from the source record to the descendant record.

• If the source record and the descendant record are the same record type, all record properties are shown. Note that when comparing a source action and a descendant action, the detailed action properties (i.e., the properties Specifications, Requirements and Reports) are shown only if both actions are set as detailed actions.

• If the record types do not match, only the description is shown. In the case where the source is a failure and the descendant is an effect, the severity ratings are also shown.

Properties that are the same in the source and descendant records are shown in green. Properties that do not match are shown in white; you can select these properties for transfer to the descendant record.

Note: Certain action properties, having to do with the actual execution of the action, cannot be transferred to an existing descendant action.

Source Record Dependents

If the descendant record that you're working with can have dependents, the Source Record Dependents area is also displayed. Dependents that exist in the descendant record are shown in green. Dependents that do not exist in the descendant record are shown in white; you can select these dependents for transfer to the descendant record.

• Add without dependents if selected, only the selected dependents will be transferred, without any dependents of their own. For example, imagine you are working with a descendant function, and the source function has several new failures that you want to import. If you select Add without dependents, only the failures will be transferred; if you clear the check box, the failures and their dependent effects, causes, actions and controls will be transferred. This option is available only when you are working with a function, failure or effect; when you are working with a cause, its dependents (controls and/or actions) do not have dependents of their own, so this option is not relevant.

• Transfer revised RPN ratings as initial ratings if selected, each source record’s revised severity, occurrence and detection rating (if any) will be set as the descendant record’s initial rating; the descendant’s revised rating will be blank. This may be useful when, for example, you are creating an FMEA for the next version of a product. If this option is not selected, the source records’ initial and revised ratings will be unchanged in the descendant records.

• Transfer actions and controls as new records if selected, creates new action and control resources in the descendant record, rather than pointing to the existing resources. This option is available only when transferring functions within a single project.

Select the Dismiss notification check box to reset the selected record’s notification icon to green when the selected updates are performed. Note that when the icon is reset, this does not necessarily indicate that all fields match between the source and descendant records; it simply indicates that you have viewed the changes and decided to reset the icon. If you clear this check box, the icon will remain orange.